I've had my 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited w/soft top for about one year. After taking a couple of trips with the family, I've discovered the limited cargo capacity of this vehicle. Considering a roof rack to solve this problem. I would like something that would still allow the top to be lowered without a great deal of trouble, but that also offers stability and substantial load bearing capacity. Any suggestions?
You didn't mention price, so I will suggest the one I want. I think it looks the best. It has an amazing reputation for quality and is easy to lift so you can drop the top. Lastly I have never heard of anyone that owns one go, I really should have just gotten a cheaper rack, this isn't that great.
Thanks for the input! I have looked at MANY brands and Gobi definitely stands out in the crowd. Great reviews and really looks great. Leaning in that direction.
I have a Gobi Stealth rack and love its utility. If your budget allows it and you need the ability to haul a substantial load up top, it's a great option. (A noteworthy item for the 'cons' list is the loss of Sunrider mode. I love Sunrider, so I usually run with just the lightbar and rear support pillars installed, reinstalling the actual rack only when needed.)
Agreed, here with the rest of the Gobi crowd. Soft top + Gobi is great for utility. Adds lots more noise though, be forewarned, especially on a soft top.
It's pretty "relatively" easy in terms of breakdown in installation / modifying / removing.
Thanks kentoe. Regarding the noise, is it basically "wind" noise created by the rack? or, heaven forbid, that the rack is close enough to the top that it flaps on the underside of the rack?
It's both. There's wind whooshing around the lightbar (which is the highest part of the whole structure), plus the flapping of the fabric over the soundbar/back seats area. A common fix for the flapping thing is tying pool noodle segments to the crossbars. Looks kinda stupid, but does the job. I'm in the middle of trying thick pipe insulation right now, and that seems to do OK, too.
Here's a pic of mine with pool noodles. They lasted for around a year before dry rotting.
The Gobi is amazing when you need it. However with a soft top it's loud as hell. Wind noise and the top flutters. Supposedly you can stop the fluttering with a pool noodle but I never tried. If you want looks and function there is no better rack. But the noise is annoying.
Also Gobi really stands behind their product. Any problems are addressed quickly.
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