Roof Racks

Pro-4K

Bought an X
Location
Southeastern, NC
Only post I could find on roof racks was years old.

I’m in the market! Preferably by Black Friday (hoping for some sales).

I know of the Gobi racks and the ExpeditionOne rack. There’s the FrontRunner slimline... Are there really no other racks for the gen 2?

What do you have? Do you like it? Am I missing some major players in the roof rack market?
 
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TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
I think that's it for full racks.

I run a cheap Amazon drop in in my factory roof rails. Then you have Hep's drop in rack.
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
I know you already know, but for the benefit of anyone else reading, Calmini made one, but last year they were sued by California for scamming customers. Not sure what the outcome was, but recent BBB complaints indicate the same BS is going on today.

There's also a P&P Engineering full rack replacement.

Baja used to make one but don't anymore, but if you call them and they still have the original schematics they may be willing to fab one.

For drop-ins, there's also Roxterra.
 

AdventureRider81

Bought an X
Location
Savannah, GA
MaxGear makes a really nice drop in for the stock rack. It's the only one I am aware of that has a flat surface. Also has many attachment points and option for a matching Rangler net.


upload_2020-10-22_9-27-57.png



d6774479c6412632b381f7a64e7c496f.jpg
 
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ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
MaxGear makes a really nice drop in for the stock rack. It's the only one I am aware of that has a flat surface. Also has many attachment points and option for a matching Rangler net. I will add better pix shortly

Attached the Maxgear catalog. I forgot they had that. I may be getting their ditch light brackets.
 

Attachments

  • Max gear armor specifications 2019a.pdf
    3.5 MB · Views: 29

Pro-4K

Bought an X
Location
Southeastern, NC
It seems like the Gobi Ranger and the ExpeditionOne are the two best options.

someone on Facebook was telling me that th Gobi’s 600lb static capacity was only valid if you WELDED the crossbars in. I was not able to find anything on the Gobi website to substantiate that claim, but I did reach out to Gobi to be sure.

I really like the look of the ExpeditionOne. It’s really aggressive looking and has a nice stealthy cutout for a light bar.

I also like the classic look of the Gobi Ranger. I looked up the stealth and it’s just too short. It doesn’t have the right proportions in my opinion.

it’s a shame there are so few.
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
someone on Facebook was telling me that the Gobi’s 600lb static capacity was only valid if you WELDED the crossbars in. I was not able to find anything on the Gobi website to substantiate that claim, but I did reach out to Gobi to be sure.

That doesn't make any sense, especially since I don't believe they offer welded in crossbars. (The picture does appear to show a weld though.) The crossbars are steel and extend over the side rails, so that would be saying that a weld is stronger than steel sitting on top of steel.

They might be mistakenly reading it and saying the limit of one crossbar is the limit for the whole thing. But if you have two crossbars, it's still 600lbs.

Untitled-1-01_1060x1200-510x577.png
Source of image (and there's a PDF spec sheet as well).
 

AdventureRider81

Bought an X
Location
Savannah, GA
It seems like the Gobi Ranger and the ExpeditionOne are the two best options.

someone on Facebook was telling me that th Gobi’s 600lb static capacity was only valid if you WELDED the crossbars in. I was not able to find anything on the Gobi website to substantiate that claim, but I did reach out to Gobi to be sure.

I really like the look of the ExpeditionOne. It’s really aggressive looking and has a nice stealthy cutout for a light bar.

I also like the classic look of the Gobi Ranger. I looked up the stealth and it’s just too short. It doesn’t have the right proportions in my opinion.

it’s a shame there are so few.


It really depends on your needs. If you ever plan to run a RTT the Gobi with tall siderails will make it mount very high. If your carrying cargo that fits within the rail size, the Gobi is awesome.
 

Pro-4K

Bought an X
Location
Southeastern, NC
That doesn't make any sense, especially since I don't believe they offer welded in crossbars. (The picture does appear to show a weld though.) The crossbars are steel and extend over the side rails, so that would be saying that a weld is stronger than steel sitting on top of steel.

They might be mistakenly reading it and saying the limit of one crossbar is the limit for the whole thing. But if you have two crossbars, it's still 600lbs.

View attachment 15824
Source of image (and there's a PDF spec sheet as well).

I think it was a guy on Facebook just didn’t understand what he was reading. And I also think he just pulled those halved figures out of thin air. If you skim, it can appear you have to weld something. I’m confident it’s a solid product with no welding required based on the specs below.

See below.

0A66401D-71BA-4664-9080-197CE0FB9D13.jpeg
 

outback97

Wheeling
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, Utah
I think the ExpeditionOne racks look pretty sweet, and I like that they are a Utah based company. I wasn't able to find any accessories on their site so I'm not sure exactly how one attaches things to it. That is one thing that Frontrunner does well, they have tons of (overpriced) mounting hardware and accessories.

I always wonder how bad the wind noise is on these things. It'd be pretty crappy to spend a lot of money, and time removing the stock rack, only to end up with some whistling howling thing on your roof.

As far as what I use, I have been very happy with my simple strut crossbar setup and it works for everything I've wanted to carry on the roof. I use the wetbox on probably every trip and I like the low key out of sight, out of mind security one gets from that, since most people probably don't know it's there.

It's not anything like a full rack replacement, but it has made the existing OEM rack very functional for my purposes:
https://www.xterranation.org/index.php?threads/how-to-strut-channel-cross-bars-roof-rack.9099/


@Pro-4K What are you planning on carrying? I'd start there and figure out which solution will do that the best.
 

Pro-4K

Bought an X
Location
Southeastern, NC
@outback97 Ideally I would like to carry a rooftop tent. some lockable hard cases, traction boards....possibly a solar panel.

That last one would take some thinking because it can be no so effective mounted in a fixed position, but neither here nor there...

While that’s only about 200lbs, I’m not the lightest guy out there. I can do the the ExpeditionOne easy enough, and adding a kid would be fine, but adding a second adult would be over the rack limit. So then I’d need to get the Gobi, but they sit so much higher. (Not a fan of the stealth -too short, proportions are kinda whacked out IMO)

I love the aggressiveness and sleekness of the ExpeditionOne, but the Gobi has that classic “gone on safari” look I love, plus a higher weight capacity. It’ll be a hard decision.
 

RikRong

Bought an X
Location
NoDak
To me, the load capacity is what the rack can carry in it basket. The RTT should be attached to cross bars and the side mounts and not siting as a load in the rack itself. I've personally witnessed what I would probably consider over 600lbs combined load on the roof with a tent on a stock rack, as well a FrontRunner rack. I may be off, but I really think the load capacity refers to what's inside the basket and not on the rails.
 

Pro-4K

Bought an X
Location
Southeastern, NC
That's one of the best looking ones I have seen. Though the mounting arrangements make me a little nervous if a heavy load was applied (like if an adult was to stand on it).
I spoke at length with upTOP and they said they’ve tested the racks and can run 1,000 lb static load on the Xterra specifically due to the numerous mounting points. I was told the roof would fail before the rack did.
I get they’re trying to sell a rack, but I’m willing to give it a try.

Mine will be shipped to me mid May.
 

Gen X

First Fill-Up (of many)
Supporting Member
Location
Ashburn, VA
Yes please. I like it. And...bookmark. Just need to factor in lead time and order so I get this when I return state side this fall!


Mine will be shipped to me mid May.

Did you choose a light cutout? I think I want one but not sure what would look best. Or, how to make sure I get lights that fit.
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
Yes please. I like it. And...bookmark. Just need to factor in lead time and order so I get this when I return state side this fall!




Did you choose a light cutout? I think I want one but not sure what would look best. Or, how to make sure I get lights that fit.
Back to VA or elsewhere/unknown?

I'm pretty sure those guys if you contacted them would do a light cutout custom to whatever light you were getting if not a predetermined one. With their mounting system, you can probably put about anything up there. Lights mount directly to the front crossbar as you can kinda see in this video:
View: https://youtu.be/DDsxOATG5V8?t=184
(different rack technically, but same mount system)
 

Gen X

First Fill-Up (of many)
Supporting Member
Location
Ashburn, VA
That cutout looks nice, must be the 40" universal. I think I'd like that better than the multiple cutouts for smaller lights.

I'll be back to VA for about 10 months, then overseas again.
 

Gen X

First Fill-Up (of many)
Supporting Member
Location
Ashburn, VA
I spoke at length with upTOP and they said they’ve tested the racks and can run 1,000 lb static load on the Xterra specifically due to the numerous mounting points. I was told the roof would fail before the rack did.
I get they’re trying to sell a rack, but I’m willing to give it a try.

Mine will be shipped to me mid May.

@Pro-4K, did this get to you? I'm ready to put in my order but wanted to know how you like yours? Any feedback?
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
@Pro-4K, did this get to you? I'm ready to put in my order but wanted to know how you like yours? Any feedback?
I helped him install it. I will say it looks amazing and having the flat, rectangular platform would be awesome. I love the low profile and that it has door cutouts and all that.

Only two things I didn’t like that may or not matter based on your use. One is that the “wavy” looking cutouts for bungee cords are super sharp at the edges. Like it hurts if you accidentally touch with not a whole lot of pressure. They could round that a little and maintain full functionality. The other is that the front support feet I think are poorly designed. They only sit on one rivnut per side, and the roof itself buckles a little if you put pressure on the rack. Not so much an issue for distributed weight probably. The other thing is the roof curves upward toward the middle there and their bracket are flat, which means it will impact paint. If I were going to do the rack, I’d get the adhesive watertight foam for all the mounting feet. They mention it as an option in their instructions.

Of course he’s had more interaction with it than I have so he’ll have more insight.
 

Pro-4K

Bought an X
Location
Southeastern, NC
@Pro-4K, did this get to you? I'm ready to put in my order but wanted to know how you like yours? Any feedback?
I ordered mine March 9th and it got here on 6/8, 13 weeks later. When I ordered the rack, they quoted 6-8 weeks. Their website now quotes 12 weeks. was later than all of that.

When I ordered mine, it came with grab handles, which was apparently a typo on the website, so when I called and asked about it, they said they would honor them and I actually got those in the mail yesterday.

I really like the rack. It looks amazing. It was fairly easy to set up. Having a second (or third) person there will make things move a lot quicker. The only think I would warn is that if you’re running a roof too tent like I am, you’ll need to also purchase their 2” tent risers. There way way a human (even a child… I tried) can get their arm fat enough inside the rack to fasten down the rear tent brackets.

So anyway, fit and finish was fantastic. The rack weighs almost nothing. It’s extremely sturdy. I would recommend…. Now lead times are insane.

I had the P4X b00b lights on my roof. Due to the max rates amp draw on that switch, I’m not able to run a 40” light bar on the roof like I wanted to, so I’m currently looking into dual S8 10” bars from Baja design. Keep in mind that I’m now going to have to pay $175 for another fairing because I ordered the generic 40” bar cutout before I looked into it.

My advice, find out if you want to run a bar. If you do, make sure you know what you want before ordering so you don’t waste money and again, if you’re running an RTT, get the risers. Finally, read the installation instructions before the rack arrives and make sure you have all tools (including optional) prior to the rack arriving so you can do it all in one sitting.
 

Pro-4K

Bought an X
Location
Southeastern, NC
The other is that the front support feet I think are poorly designed. They only sit on one rivnut per side, and the roof itself buckles a little if you put pressure on the rack. Not so much an issue for distributed weight probably. The other thing is the roof curves upward toward the middle there and their bracket are flat, which means it will impact paint.
@Gen X, just to tack on. I did have a friend hop up on the front of the rack. I’m not sure exactly what structures are under there, but after the additional flex, it bottoms out on something quickly, so there’s no permanent deformation. Likewise, to @ffxcores point, agreed, the bracket design in the front is terrible. The damage to the paint is bad. The bracket needs to have a contoured footprint and should also take advantage of additional mounting points, not just one rivnut.
 

Gen X

First Fill-Up (of many)
Supporting Member
Location
Ashburn, VA
Thanks for the feedback. I don't see the adhesive foam offered as an option anywhere. I'd like to order that to prevent any paint damage. I'll probably get the universal 40" light bar fairing. I don't have a light bar yet, but I think that's what I'd like to run.
 
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