Looking for roof rack on my JKU hardtop

DesertRaider

Jeep Newb
Trying to find a decent roof rook for my 2016 JKU hardtop. Not wanting any bars connecting to front window or panels. Just something that mounts to roof itself. It will be used for kayak, storage, etc.
Any suggestions is appreciated.
PS: I don’t mind drilling the roof either.
Thanx in advance
 

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gingerempire

Jeep Newb
If you want heavy duty, the AEV and Rhino Rack seem to be pretty popular right now as they stated above. The Teraflex roof rack seems a bit more subdued if you don't want it to stand out as much. Maybe more OEM looking and slightly cheaper price point. So another option to consider.
 

flipit

Jeep Newb
I have the AEV Rhino. It’s basically a rhino platform with AEV specs. The rhino backbone is another great option.

The Major difference is load capacity due to mounting points. The AEV is mounted through the roof straight to your roll cage. This gives you max load and tent capacity as shown in autoedit. Downside, you must be carful when taking the top off. The process can take double the time of a non roll bar mounted rack.

The backbone is braced through the top and to a frame you install inside the top, beside the window. This adds support, but not as much as mounting to the roll bar like the AEV. The plus side is, taking your top off is as easy as the factory intended.

Also, the AEV sits a couple inches higher than the other similar Rhino options. There is also a Maximus version that is a smaller platform, lower to the Jeep than the aev, but mounts to the roll at like the aev.

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Jd45acp

Jeep Newb
How much weight are you putting up there? There is the Smittybilt, Surco Safari, and Rhino Rack Vortex. Or you can get something like a Yakima rack. They are all meant for lighter loads, 200lbs or less.
 

DesertRaider

Jeep Newb
How much weight are you putting up there? There is the Smittybilt, Surco Safari, and Rhino Rack Vortex. Or you can get something like a Yakima rack. They are all meant for lighter loads, 200lbs or less.
I’ve got a 14ft kayak that’s approx 80 some odd pounds. Plus I’d like to be able to run a few other items up top on it as to free up space for the tailgate while camping. Probably like shovel, tent(ground unit) maybe seabag
 

DesertRaider

Jeep Newb
S
I have the AEV Rhino. It’s basically a rhino platform with AEV specs. The rhino backbone is another great option.

The Major difference is load capacity due to mounting points. The AEV is mounted through the roof straight to your roll cage. This gives you max load and tent capacity as shown in autoedit. Downside, you must be carful when taking the top off. The process can take double the time of a non roll bar mounted rack.

The backbone is braced through the top and to a frame you install inside the top, beside the window. This adds support, but not as much as mounting to the roll bar like the AEV. The plus side is, taking your top off is as easy as the factory intended.

Also, the AEV sits a couple inches higher than the other similar Rhino options. There is also a Maximus version that is a smaller platform, lower to the Jeep than the aev, but mounts to the roll at like the aev.

View attachment 1439
o this one that’s pictured is the AEV rhino?
 

mclerran11

Jeep Owner
I had the Yakima on my previous JK (2008 JKU) and it never had problems. Loaded it up plenty. See the attached pictures of our jeep loaded up for Easter jeep safari in 2017. That was all the gear and food we needed for myself, my wife, and all five kids (we have a third row seat in our JKU so we could fit everyone, the roof rack was a necessity in order to have all the camping gear we needed)

I’m now in a 2017 JKU Rubicon Recon and I’ve been debating on all these options. I would mostly use it to carry skis but I want the ability to do a rooftop tent sometime if I choose. So far my speech is leading me to the TeraFlex Nebo roof rack, and here’s why:

Weight rating: same as the other heavy duty racks, because it bolts through the hard top into the sport cage

Cost: about half the price of competitor racks, unless you also buy all the “crossbar slats“ in which case the price is about the same. In my case, if I’m only mounting skis and possibly a rooftop tent in the future, I wouldn’t need all those crossbars so I could save a bit of money here (that leaves me more money for Metalcloak products of course)

Versatility: the TeraFlex Nebo roof rack was the only one that seemed to be easily compatible with Yakima and Thule crossbar systems, while still giving you the ability to add things like baskets, rooftop tent, etc.

I haven’t made a purchase yet, but it’s certainly nearing the top of my list.
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