Looking to get a roof rack for my 2015 JKU Sport hardtop. Will be mainly used for carrying my kayak(s). Doing a little research I see the Teraflex Nebo come up alot, also the Yakima Hardtop Track Kit and saw a Thule option on Amazon.
I'd like it to look decent (of course) but also be stable and not have to worry about it breaking.
Any input/advice/feedback from people who have installed/purchased one?
I have the Yakima track system on my JKU. It works well, sturdy enough for kayaks (mine carries a pair of SUPs) but its certainly not going to be as strong as a full cage/safari rack setup that bolt to the body of the jeep rather than just the top.
Our used JKU has a roof rack, that you can't take the hardtop or even the freedom panels off while its on. It bolts to the bumper so it not easy to remove. The original windshield mounts are missing so we would have to replace them if we removed the rack. No happy about all that.
Just got a Nebo. Great for SUPs. Probably overkill. I had a gobi before. The only thing I really miss from the Gobi is the ladder. Getting up on the roof is kind of difficult now. I've been stepping on my bumper then spare.
Just got a Nebo. Great for SUPs. Probably overkill. I had a gobi before. The only thing I really miss from the Gobi is the ladder. Getting up on the roof is kind of difficult now. I've been stepping on my bumper then spare.
I have the Nebo. Ideally would have loved the rhino rack and pioneer platform, but the Nebo was about half the cost.
Static I think it is rated at 800 lbs or so.
We have an RTT and not Kayaks however, so needed the higher rating. It will take all the attachments. And, you can buy slats individually which cuts the cost some.
You do have to loosen 4 captured allen bolts to remove the top. No issues, just a few extra minutes
With the slat kit I think the cost would be comparable. With only 2 slats on the Nebo then yes it would be a bit cheaper. I'm comparing it to a Maximus 3 rack which uses a pioneer platform. Can't decide which way to go.
Here is what it looks like on the inside with the strengthening bars.
I had the Mopar headliner but had not put it on until I got this done. For that I put it up and pressed where each of the Cap-nuts were and the just cut the foam out on the back of the headliner, that way the cloth is not cut and you cant see at all where the Cap-nuts are on the inside.
I had used Thule gutter mounts for years with no problems. They work great for short kayaks (anything up to about 12') but they were pretty close together because the rain gutters don't extend past the rear doors. They are also pretty far forward for the same reason, which causes a huge hassle when you're trying to roll a boat onto the saddles from the rear.
When I started racing kayaks and graduated up to some long skinny ones, I started worrying that maybe with the the bars being so close together I might damage my fancy boats, or that a crosswind torquing such a long boat sideways might damage the jeep top, so I upgraded.
The Rhino rack is expensive, but I consider it money well spent. I have quick releases for the bars so I can have it on or off in about 2 minutes. You can take the top off/on with or without removing the bars with no additional steps, it can carry as much weight as a congo cage, there's no appreciable hit in gas mileage, and the only wind noise comes from the kayak saddles, not the bars themselves.
I regularly carry a 18' kayak and a 21' surf-ski at freeway speeds with no problems whatsoever and I'm not constantly worried that I'm going to have one break in half because of the overhang or twist sideways and crack the jeep top or something.
If I had it to do over, The only thing I'd do differently would be to skip buying the middle bar. With the locking quick release feet it work out to be close to $200 per bar. For kayaks, I only use the front/back and rarely even install the center one.
I can't speak for the awning as I don't know what the mounting bracket looks like, but there are tracks on the inside of the rail. Can't imagine it would be very difficult to fab up a bracket to hold the awning.
Really happy with my Rhino Rack. Currently use it for a roof top tent but will eventually get some kayaks and SUPs on it. Don't have the full platform just the crossbars like AZrat.
I installed Rhino Rack rails and cross bars on my 2016 Wrangler Sport 2Dr. A set of rails on the back and another set mounted on the Freedom Tops. Fronts were similar to post #13 except I used 4 bolts and no reinforcing. Rear holes were located to the interior double seam for good strength. Lots of flexibility for hauling short and long items, but limited on weight, probably around 100 pounds. I can relocate the cross bars on the front to the rear when removing Freedom Tops. Works for me. Kit was about $550. JWL
After a year of going back and forth, I finally decided on the Maximus-3 (rhino rack) Pioneer Platform and full rail surround. Just ordered this morning with Quadratec.
I had narrowed it down to this one and the KMS low pro mod rack, mainly after seeing it on BuildIt's jeep and what he's done with it.
But in the end the rhino rack platform just seemed to be more versatile, and I do prefer the more stout look of rhino. I went with the M3 version due to the better/lower mounting system.
My only hesitation was if the shorter 60" platform would work with my Black Forest Throwback. I've seen pics with the Bestop Sunrider and the sunrider does lay on top/against the rack so that should be fine.
So my reasons for going with this rack...
1. Low profile
2. Strong mounting system. Great static and moving max weight limits.
3. Lots of accessories available allowing for carrying all kinds of items without permanent changes to the rack
4. It's a good looking rack, IMO of course.
5. I don't like the look of or require a rack that has supports that come down the front and/or rear of the jeep.
6. I won't be doing any extreme overlanding/camping.
7. Short enough (hopefully) to work with the Throwback... my favorite/most used accessory.
Downside, is the price. But Quad was able to help me out a little with that.
I have the hard top and soft top for my JKU. I switch tops based on the season and temperatures, often running with the hard top in the hottest part of summer. Can the Teraflex Nebo rack be removed, but leave the load bearing mounts on, and switch to a soft top? Or do the load bearing mounts have to be removed when running with a soft top?
TIA.
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