Roof Rack Woes....any product recommendations?

[OEB0122]

Ends up, my sexy looking painted hardtop ended up being an early fault in my planned build. I really wanted, and purchased the @TrailRax - only to find out that I have the painted top that will not accept their mounting system.....so, now I am looking for my next option.

I am not going to be utilizing a RTT, but I will be securing an OzTent up there. Also hoping to have a rod holder, and a few other accessories mounted (recovery boards, fire pit, etc.)

Currently looking at the Gobi, since there is no dependency on the hard top to mount....but I lose the flexibility of extruded aluminum channels for mounting options.
Anyone aware of a quality product that will work with the painted hardtop? TIA

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[DaddyO]

I can tell you I have the Gobi rack and I’m not as happy with it as I thought I’d be. Yea it is solid up there. I could probably do a roll over and it would protect my roof but adding accessories is a challenge unless you use their attachments. I was trying to decide between the Gobi and trailrax originally. I drive a ‘24 badlands 4 door hardtop. These are pics with my RTT and 270 awning attached. I bought the brackets for the awning from Gobi.

 

[JediMcMuffin]

Leitner Designs make a really nice rack for the Bronco, but they don't seem to promote it once.

Warning: All Leitner gear is VERY expensive.

 

[JediMcMuffin]

FrontRunner makes one, I think the Leitner one looks better:

 

[JediMcMuffin]

Prinsu is an option, I believe I saw remarked somewhere that the Pro Version is recommended because of some reinforcement they made in the design.

 

[OEB0122]

I can tell you I have the Gobi rack and I’m not as happy with it as I thought I’d be. Yea it is solid up there. I could probably do a roll over and it would protect my roof but adding accessories is a challenge unless you use their attachments. I was trying to decide between the Gobi and trailrax originally. I drive a ‘24 badlands 4 door hardtop. These are pics with my RTT and 270 awning attached. I bought the brackets for the awning from Gobi.

Thank you! That is my primary concern with the Gobi....the lack of "flexibility" with mounting solutions. With my 2 previous adventure vehicles, I loved the modularity of the extruded aluminum channels, and being able to space them just about anywhere I went.

I am looking into the Leitner designs, and have even looked at Hooke Road (although their price point concerns me...). However, with all of these options, I am wondering if I would experience the same mounting issues as I would have had with the TrailRax?

Prinsu is out, as I still want to make sure I have the option of removing the front two roof panels.

 

[RedBeardoh]

Expedition One makes a nice rack that can be ran as a half or full and hinges at the half rack portion so you can still remove the front and mid panels. Unsure about painted top compatibility

 

[JSW377]

Ends up, my sexy looking painted hardtop ended up being an early fault in my planned build. I really wanted, and purchased the @TrailRax - only to find out that I have the painted top that will not accept their mounting system.....so, now I am looking for my next option.

I am not going to be utilizing a RTT, but I will be securing an OzTent up there. Also hoping to have a rod holder, and a few other accessories mounted (recovery boards, fire pit, etc.)

Currently looking at the Gobi, since there is no dependency on the hard top to mount....but I lose the flexibility of extruded aluminum channels for mounting options.
Anyone aware of a quality product that will work with the painted hardtop? TIA

https://www.hookeroad.com/products/bronco-discovery-roof-rack-ford-21-23-4-door-hardtop-b8906s
I have this on my 25 Bad SAS. I absolutely love it! You are also able to remove the front and middle roof sections with the rack on!

 

[Shlep]

I have the Hooke road for the 4 door, and while it's strong enough it's very noisy....especially with cross winds. I hope to pick up my RTT this upcoming week so I'll update this and see if it gets better.

 

[DBGBronco]

Leitner Designs make a really nice rack for the Bronco, but they don't seem to promote it once.

Warning: All Leitner gear is VERY expensive.

I love my Leitner!! Zero wind noise!! Front roof panels still come out easy. Great company to deal with.

 

[pramjockey]

I was having the same consternation. I looked at the Gobi, but that would prevent my entering my garage, regardless of anything on the rack.

I emailed RCI about their rack - it had some confusing language. They noted that with the factory painted rack, if you mount the two over-window MOLLE racks first, they support the rack enough that their rack will fit and carry a tent. They recommend building the rack on a bench and lifting it as a unit to mount.

Similarly, I emailed the folks at TrailRax, and they said that they're waiting for some information from Ford and there may be a possibility of their racks working in the future; it may be a few months before we know anything.

So, there is hope, and there are options.

 

[wjlapier]

While I like the Prinsu I was told by them the roof panels can’t be removed with the rack mounted. Trailmax, Leitner, and Dometic are too much for my needs—a Roam 82l cargo box with Rigid Mount. RCI says as of now, one month lead time due to material shortage. Westin looks good but too much company logo but I can live with it I guess. I was hoping to stay under $1000.

 

[RedBeardoh]

I just got an expedition one mule rack 2nd hand and love it. Has hinge point to remove the hard tops. Mine didn’t come with the wind deflector though so the wind noise is insane but I reached out to them to order just the deflector. Hoping that solves the wind noise otherwise I love this rack!

 

[pramjockey]

Updating: I did install the RCI rack with the window panels to support. Installation was difficult, but with some patience I was able to get it on. Overall, it seems really solid. Minimal wind noise. Looking forward to getting the time to put the tent up there and get it really tested out.

 

[DaddyO]

Thank you! That is my primary concern with the Gobi....the lack of "flexibility" with mounting solutions. With my 2 previous adventure vehicles, I loved the modularity of the extruded aluminum channels, and being able to space them just about anywhere I went.

I am looking into the Leitner designs, and have even looked at Hooke Road (although their price point concerns me...). However, with all of these options, I am wondering if I would experience the same mounting issues as I would have had with the TrailRax?

Prinsu is out, as I still want to make sure I have the option of removing the front two roof panels.

I would say that the Gobi rack is fantastic as far as sturdiness but you would have to replace all your accessories brackets with theirs and they’re not cheap but customer service is great. I almost lost my Openroad4wd tent 3 times, tightening the Openroad4wd brackets as tight as I could get them until I can get the Gobi ones in.

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