Half-rack vs carrier?

[Roofus]

Friends,
Just looking for some advice and any perspectives/observations I might not be thinking about. After using my Bronco for camping and some (light) overlanding over the past year, I've reached the point that many of you have that (1) I need some more space; and, (2) there's just some things I'd rather not carry around inside the vehicle if I could avoid it. That has led me to consider a rack or a cargo carrier as a solution.

What I do know for sure, is that I just don't want a full rack. I realize some full racks still allow for the roof panels to be removed, but imho it hinders the full roof off experience and it's already difficult enough removing and storing panels in my condo parking garage environment. That said, I'm considering the TrailRax half rack that would not cover the front of mid panels, or a cargo carrier.

Items we would consider for external transportation would include: firewood, Thetford Porta-potti (carrier only/too tall for roof), 65L Rtic cooler, ROAM case, RUX cases. Additionally, with the half-rack, I could mount my Rotopax and recovery boards on the side window racks instead of using the SeaSucker window suction mounts I'm currently using. On the flip side, I can get an inexpensive hitch and a $70 carrier from Harbor Freight and use it for our RUX cases, firewood, and the Thetford and have plenty of room freed up in the interior of the truck.

Just trying to think through positives/negatives and what realistic limitations I might run into with either. I would not be attempting off-roading or rock crawling with a carrier. We mostly camp off forest service roads or dedicated campgrounds.

Thanks in advance for any feedback from those who have already worked through this decision. Cheers!

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[PWillette]

I'd go with the TrailRax half rack. I have the hitch carrier which is handy for short trips but you have to unload it whenever you want to open the tail gate.

 

[OMTBiker]

Add a swing out base to the hitch then mount the hitch rack to the swing out base. Kuat, RakAttach, etc. The swing out bases usually have a 250lb rating or higher and will allow you to open the tail gate with the rack loaded.

 

[Barlos]

Add a swing out base to the hitch then mount the hitch rack to the swing out base. Kuat, RakAttach, etc. The swing out bases usually have a 250lb rating or higher and will allow you to open the tail gate with the rack loaded.

That’s how I got mine set up, only a couple hundred bucks. Well worth it

 

[desibull]

Interesting that I am exactly in the same situation. I got the trailer receiver added and have a cargo basket and am considering some sort of a roofing solution. The only issue I have going with the half-rack is not being able to put a rooftop tent...in case I really wish to do some overlanding in the future...I guess I really have to weigh the probability of that. But the other factor is that the cost of the half over the full is not that much more considering the over lifetime that you will own the vehicle. But the point of having the true open air experience is also very valid.

 

[Roofus]

Interesting that I am exactly in the same situation. I got the trailer receiver added and have a cargo basket and am considering some sort of a roofing solution. The only issue I have going with the half-rack is not being able to put a rooftop tent...in case I really wish to do some overlanding in the future...I guess I really have to weigh the probability of that. But the other factor is that the cost of the half over the full is not that much more considering the over lifetime that you will own the vehicle. But the point of having the true open air experience is also very valid.

My wife wants the '24 Taco Trailhunter when it launches next March. So we're thinking saving rooftop tent for that because I definitely bought this thing to take the roof off as much as possible, and it just seems like it would be a massive headache with the full rack.

 

[MtnRanger]

That’s how I got mine set up, only a couple hundred bucks. Well worth it

Do you have pictures and details of the swing out attachment and the basket?

 

[Black_Stallion13]

I think you’d 100% be happier with a small trailer though storing it might be troublesome in your situation. Roof racks kind of suck for carrying the stuff you mentioned and a hitch platform hinders your rear tailgate opening, has low weight capacity, plus likely won’t have enough space for most situations.

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