Roof Rack questions - Great Lakes XJ

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Date: Jun 28, 2008

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I go camping at least 3 times each summer and last summer the jeep was full of stuff when it was just my fiance and I. Now this summer we will have more things and I wont be able to fold the rear seat down seeing how there will be a kid sitting there. So I figured the logical answer would be to get a roof rack, but what rack do I want, what rack will suit my needs and do I want to use gutter mounts or mount to my existing rack?? I was originally looking at the surco rack that motion offroad had, one of the big things I liked that motion had was the rack came with the mounting hardware. The only thing I have a problem with is that I want to throw alot of weight in my rack and I heard that the surco racks being all aluminum wont hold much weight. I also read somewhere online where if loaded to heavily these racks just fold in which I dont want. I did more research and found a rack I liked at 4 wheel drive hardware. http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?partID=7196 The rack is a full steel construction, its big enough to hold all the family stuff, and its rated at 500lbs. The only problem is that its $339.99 not to mention another $39.99 for mounting hardware. I guess it must be a get what you pay for type of thing. There is no real immediate hurry on getting a rack as for our first camping trip isnt until September but I'd appreciate any input(good or bad) from you guys thanks in advance __________________ '95 Country Stock....for now

LEAD_NOT_FOLLOW

GLXJ PRESIDENT

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Date: Jun 28, 2008

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I have a Con-Ferr rack on my XJ and I've had a TON of weight on it. Unfortantly Con-Ferr is not in business anymore (hasn't been for about 5 years now) and getting your hands on one of their racks is next to imposiable. I'd spend the money on another one in a heartbeat.

We have the Surco rack on Rebecca's XJ. Is it as strong as my Con-Ferr; nope. But at 1/3 the price oh well. I have first hand experience with at least 300lbs on the Surco racks and have not seen them fail yet. They are much lighter (as they are alumn.) but that does not mean that they are any less strong. I don't know what you'll be putting on it, but I doubt that you'll be putting more than 300lbs of weight on your rack. Anything more than that (in my opinion) is dumb as you're increasing your center of gravity with the added weight up that heigh.

I know Andy (aci4369) carries his 33" spare and a hi-lift up on his Surco without issues. I wouldn't hesitate to do the same but we keep that stuff inside the Jeep to help save on gas-milage.

Overall I'm very happy with the Surco rack we have. We bought it for simply adding stuff up there for camping as well and it's done it's job without any issues. I also like that the rack has taller sides; unlike the Karomaster rack you linked to above.

One thing we've done is kept the factory cross-rails under the rack for added support. They fit perfectly under the Surco rack with the factory rail mounts and I'm sure it helps increase the load capacity quite a bit. I've also seen people add a "false floor" to them to help increase the load capacity. A few strips of bar-stock from your local hardware store at $5 each goes a long way and is a heck of a lot cheaper than buying a more expensive rack.

So in closing; if your just using the rack for camping and will be throwing some luggage/tents/camping gear than I think the Surco will suit your needs just fine. If your throwing 500+ lbs. up there than maybe consider something a bit heavier duty. However I think with that much weight up top you should really consider putting some of it inside as it will make your rig VERY top-heavy.

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threeEs99

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Date: Jun 28, 2008

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If your able to do so. Make your own basket and use some of the gutter mounts Motion sells. You save some money and create something of your own. __________________ 99 sport. rust bucket, DD, 3 car seats 04 wj (w/3 car seats too) DD duty for the lady

aci4369

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Date: Jun 29, 2008

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I would go for the Surco Rack. I have my 33' on there like Adam said and have never had any problem. I don't think that you will have enough wieght up there SAFELY to break it in my opinion. I didn't leave my factory rails up there because the PO brokded them.... evileye

So my only experience with the Surco Rack has been WITHOUT the support of the factory rails. I have even walked on mine while messing with stuff and I am over 200lbs and it did not break.

Also adding a plate or something would significantly increase it capacity and that would be a lot cheaper then a different rack.

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Topic: Roof Rack questions