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Rain Gutter Roof Rack Mounts & Alternatives...Opinions Please!

60K views 68 replies 42 participants last post by  JWLWrangler 
#1 ·
I am at a mod crossroads in my early jeep owning career and I need your help! Used search but couldn't find much info or experience on this topic.

Long story short, I need to utilize my roof to carry things. Surfboards, snowboards, sup, camping gear...you name it, I carry it. With a newborn on the way and my wife and pup usually riding along, inside space is limited (although I do have a 4 door) so a good rack system definitely makes sense for me. Options:

1.) Simple rain gutter mounts and crossbars. This is the route I initially wanted to go with the idea of getting a low profile long cargo box in the future as well to just throw everything inside of. I like the idea of only having the rack system on there when I need it. However, after research I am concerned about the gutter mounts ability to hold a cargo box or bigger surfboard/sup. I'm assuming I would be safe carrying snowboards up there. Would like to hear from those with experience.

2.) Drill into hardtop and do a more permanent yakima/thule rack setup. Not particularly excited about this idea, but could be swayed.

pros: structurally strong enough for cargo boxes (I think?), easy to deal with once installed
cons: permanently on there (wind noise??), drilling into painted top, leaks, more $$$

3.) Full rack/cage setup - I read the overland thread constantly and really enjoy the builds. I love the idea of having a cage that can hold pretty much anything and possibly a RTT in the future. With that said, I enjoy the top and doors off a lot and I'm not sure I am ready to take the plunge and spend hundreds (or thousands:blackeye) just to initially have a method to carry boards.

Would love to hear from anyone with experience on any of these. Hopefully this thread will help others in similar situations as well.
 
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#2 ·
I am in the same situation and I'm leaning toward the full rack although I have no idea which one. I need to carry 3 paddle boards. I used a Thule SUP Taxi on my previous vehicle and loved how secure the boards were. I think the crossbars and boards are too heavy for gutter mounts and there is no way I'll drill the hard top. I'm in NY so I have till spring to decide and get something installed.
 
#3 ·
Just an observation, no personal experience. Now live in Florida and have seen lots of hardtops with Thule/Yakima racks hauling surf boards and kayaks with gutter mounts. Previously lived in denver and the snow skiers/Boarders also used them a lot with no problems from the people I knew. The bigger issue is weight, IMO. The overland/expo folks carry a lot so they have a need based on that. But then I'm one of those who would never have a roof top tent cause they just weigh to much up that high and totally change the dynamic of the jeep -- off road can get scary. Keep the weight low.
 
#5 ·
External Rack like the Gobi. It not only solves the obvious needs but also offers some protection from trees, gives you mounting point for hi-lift Jacks and other tools. It allows you to mount lights and run the wires in the tubes of the rack, protecting them and giving it a clean look. It works with both the Hard and soft top. On top of that there is absolutely no need to drill into the Jeep to mount it.
 
#8 ·
I didn't want a rack system either, but I had to carry my sup somehow. I went with the Kargo Master Congo Cage. It's been very nice, but the wind noise was unbearable!! I found the solution by wrapping the header bar with rope. That noise went away and now I just have the normal wind noise.
 

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#11 ·
I recently went with the Thule rain gutter mounts to use with my Thule cargo box. So far, so good. I also ordered an inexpensive ski and snowboard carrier from eBay (I was very surprised to see how many ski/snowboard carriers were on there and how inexpensive they were). I plan on keeping that carrier on the Jeep all winter, unless I take a long trip and need the cargo box for the additional gear.



Land vehicle Vehicle Car Tire Automotive tire
 
#12 ·
I recently went with the Thule rain gutter mounts to use with my Thule cargo box. So far, so good. I also ordered an inexpensive ski and snowboard carrier from eBay (I was very surprised to see how many ski/snowboard carriers were on there and how inexpensive they were). I plan on keeping that carrier on the Jeep all winter, unless I take a long trip and need the cargo box for the additional gear.



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Foxy, how is the Thule rain gutter working out? I am considering this same set up. wish there was a better hitch alternative... My main concern is there roof getting scratched. Hi have the body color matching top, so not sure it that makes it more prone to getting scratched... Any feedback is appreciated! Happy Holidays!
 
#14 ·
My rain gutter setup is working great. I recently took two long road trips (NJ to Souther Vermont and NYC to central Vermont) and stuffed the cargo carrier on one and loaded up my ski carrier, that I picked up really cheap on eBay, on another. It was great to have everything on top of my Jeep and not have stuff my tailgate or fold down seats for our skis. My only issues are that the ski carrier, especially with skis, is VERY LOUD at highway speed and I took a noticeable hit in MPGs with the ski carrier. Also, with my lift and larger tires, I have to be wary about pulling into parking garages. I'm not concerned about scratching my top. If you are careful you shouldn't have any issues with scratches.

A few tips since I've used mine a bit: I like the squared bars of the Thule rack better than the round Yakima load bars, especially if I'm carrying stuff directly on the load bars. However, I like the Yakima ski carrier (I have the Thule) better. The Yakima ski carrier is lower profile and is easier to mount on the load bars. My Thule ski carrier needs an included security wrench to install and remove, which is s real pain. Also, it's a lot easier to install the carrier attachments (Yakima and Thule ) to the load bars before you put the rack on your Jeep. Otherwise, you will need to tighten the attachments, which are on often in the middle of your roof.



Automotive exterior Vehicle Automotive luggage rack Automotive carrying rack Roof rack
 
#36 ·
My rain gutter setup is working great. I recently took two long road trips (NJ to Souther Vermont and NYC to central Vermont) and stuffed the cargo carrier on one and loaded up my ski carrier, that I picked up really cheap on eBay, on another. It was great to have everything on top of my Jeep and not have stuff my tailgate or fold down seats for our skis. My only issues are that the ski carrier, especially with skis, is VERY LOUD at highway speed and I took a noticeable hit in MPGs with the ski carrier. Also, with my lift and larger tires, I have to be wary about pulling into parking garages. I'm not concerned about scratching my top. If you are careful you shouldn't have any issues with scratches.

A few tips since I've used mine a bit: I like the squared bars of the Thule rack better than the round Yakima load bars, especially if I'm carrying stuff directly on the load bars. However, I like the Yakima ski carrier (I have the Thule) better. The Yakima ski carrier is lower profile and is easier to mount on the load bars. My Thule ski carrier needs an included security wrench to install and remove, which is s real pain. Also, it's a lot easier to install the carrier attachments (Yakima and Thule ) to the load bars before you put the rack on your Jeep. Otherwise, you will need to tighten the attachments, which are on often in the middle of your roof.



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thanks for the feedback!
 
#15 ·
I've had a Yakima set-up on my Chevy truck for 15 years. I have a removable gutter bar over the cab and two additional bars that I bolted on to the fiberglass topper. I mainly used it for carrying my 17' 70 lb. canoe and have made trips from the west coast to Minnesota and back with no issues. Probably could have gotten away with only two bars but wanted the third one there for additional stability in crosswinds. Once year we went across Montana and North Dakota in crosswinds that were so strong all of the trucks and RV's had pulled off the exits but we just kept going with no issues. So the other day I pulled the gutter clamps off the truck as I'm going to be selling it and noticed that they are actually in pretty good shape and the top of the cab looks good too. I've got a Gobi Stealth rack on my list but am re-considering putting the Yakima up there now and saving myself $1600.00. Only thing is the Gobi has a basket for additional items plus it would be really nice for mounting lights and I could still remove the freedom panels.
 
#16 ·
Guys, is the Thule gutter mount rack very noisy when installed with just the crossbars with no other adapters???? Reason for asking is that I just bought one and wondering if I should install it, even tho I don't need it right now..... If the wind noise is bothersome, I will just wait till I need it to install it.

Also, any impact on mpg with just the crossbars???
 
#17 ·
Sort of on topic. I just wanted to chime in regarding my Lange Originals "the rack". This thing is kind of what you might be looking for, but it rusted within 1 week of purchase. It's built alright, for what it is. But driving around with a rusted looking thing on my jeep won't work. So I ditched it for a trailer (which I am very happy with) that I found on craigslist for $350.
 
#18 ·
I have a Thule gutter set that I put on and take off as needed. That's one of the great things about the gutter mounts. It is a bit noisy. The Thule wind deflector does help a bit.

I carry a 16' canoe on mine with no problems.

Mike
 
#20 ·
I have a Thule gutter set that I put on and take off as needed. That's one of the great things about the gutter mounts. It is a bit noisy. The Thule wind deflector does help a bit. I carry a 16' canoe on mine with no problems. Mike
Do you mount the front one on the freedom tops? I am trying to figure out Thule gutter set versus drilling the top also. I have 64" Thule load bars already but the permanent track and mounts for Thule still run $400-$500.
 
#19 ·
I have the Yakima rack...well, I had to piece one together. Mine is permanently mounted; measure 5X before drilling into the top. Never a leak, and I have been hauling heavy 80lb fishing kayaks on it at Interstate speeds for over 2 years. Yakima makes a system of rails (that get permanently mounted) and then the Control Towers and Cross Bars fit into the rails. However, the rails won't work on the 2 dr, so I was forced to mount 4 Landing Pads, and the Control Towers lock onto the Landing Pads. Almost un-noticeable wind noise; seriously the boats make very little noise up there. I leave them mounted 24/7/365.
 
#21 ·
Yes, I mount the front rack on the Freedom panels. I picked my entire setup (minus the spoiler) for $100 off Craigslist.

I put a towel on the back of the hardtop when I load my canoe to keep from scratching the top.

Mike
 
#22 ·
We have the Thule gutter mounts as well. We make a 2000 mile round trip twice a year with it and it does great. I would get the wind deflector to go with it as well. We have a ski box that sits on the bars.
 
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