By gp (Garrett) on Thursday, July 05, 2001 - 09:31 am: Edit

Ok.....no smart ass comments here. (like i never do) But I need a wilderness type rack system. Having two dogs to keep in the back of my truck makes it pretty hard to take gear/clothes and not be able to want to put stuff on top. I currently use the standard Thule rack with 65" load bars. I think the big rack set ups (wilderness, expedition, etc.) are a little overkill and i don't need to get any fewer mpg than i already do. i don't really think i need all that space anyhow. would be pretty sweet to be able to sleep up in one of those things though. i kinda like brians Yakima basket rack on the opening page of this site. that seems suffient enough for some gear, bags, illicit drugs and so on. and i could still use my bike racks to the side of the basket. and most likely not as much resistance either. i don't have a mig welder in my garage either and if i did i am to lazy and have to many other things i need/have to do. so i am not considering building one. thanks all.

By Andy Nix (Andy) on Thursday, July 05, 2001 - 09:36 am: Edit

I had the yakima rack with the extension and it was OK. I liked it, and I could still park in the garage (old springs). I took it back after I couldn't go through tunnels on the highway and bought an adventure rack off of ebay. mpg with the adv rack still the same as i made a wind deflector for it...It got to the point that the basket was bending the thule bars (not that much weight) and it didn't hold up for wheelin'. If you end up buying it, buy an extra bar and mounts for the center extension.

my 3 cents.

Andy

By James Gall on Thursday, July 05, 2001 - 09:53 am: Edit

Hannibal racks are great! They are light and stong, yet they do not change gas milage because the front of the rack is tapered and it cuts down on noise. Now, they are a little expensive but you can put a tent on it and sleep up on your rack. I have only found them at roveraccessories.

By wbsa on Thursday, July 05, 2001 - 10:01 am: Edit

YES! The Hannibal racks are great.
But they are so fucking ugly it should be illegal.

By lynden on Thursday, July 05, 2001 - 10:28 am: Edit

I can tell you what I plan to do. Haven't done anything as of yet. We have a rocket box we use for skiing on the car, we'll now transfer that to the disco. full time and put a short cage rack on the other side. This way we have an enclosed compartment that is somewhat aerodynamic and another open rack for bigger items. The Yakima bars are pretty sturdy, I think stronger than the thule. I'm a little concerned because they'll be longer than the car, but we shouldn't put more than 150 lbs up there at any one time anyway. Just another option. If anyone skis buy a box, they are awesome for keeping stuff clean and safe (from being stolen).
Lynden

By Ron on Thursday, July 05, 2001 - 10:36 am: Edit

I am working on my custom SS rack. Admittedly not working very hard.

Ron

By Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) on Thursday, July 05, 2001 - 10:41 am: Edit

Too shiny and heavy man,,,,,


Kyle

By Ron on Thursday, July 05, 2001 - 10:43 am: Edit

And hard to weld.

Ron

By Chris Browne on Friday, July 06, 2001 - 06:00 am: Edit

Tried taking a look at the hitch receiver type of rack? Got a Cabelas a short time ago and worked great (and everything inside the vinyl cover was 100% dry after a 250 mile rain soaked drive
Not as roomy as a roof rack. Those vinyl bags would work well on a roof rack
effect on mileage zero make sure you get tail lights too!

By AV on Friday, July 06, 2001 - 07:09 am: Edit

I've got the Yakima basket and you wouldn't believe the amount of crap you can put up there, especially when you stretch that spider web thingy over the top. Some favorite uses have been hauling trash out of campsites (beer bottles)-much better to have sticky dead beer crap dripping down the back of the vehicle than sitting next to it

By the rack guy on Friday, July 06, 2001 - 09:42 am: Edit

Hitch racks work great, but are a bit of a pain to put on and off. I hauled a skunk in a HavAHart trap on mine, good place for it. No way it was going inside the truck, and even lifting it on top could have been risky.

What you are overlooking, Chris, is that most owners like to looks of the racks, even though they are used only a small fraction of the time. I do too, but can't justify the costs for the looks.

One last thing, limb risers look pretty funny attached between your brush bar and your hitch-mounted rack. hehehe

By Stephen on Friday, July 06, 2001 - 10:29 am: Edit

I'm still looking for a used LR Adventure rack. Not many out there for sale & they seem to disappear so fast when they get posted here....
Ron - are you parting with yours after you eventually finish your SS deluxe rack?

By Chris Browne on Friday, July 06, 2001 - 10:35 am: Edit

A hitch haul is a PIA to install?
C'mon, a roof rack is far more difficult to install.

By Ron on Friday, July 06, 2001 - 10:38 am: Edit

Deluxe rack is for the RR. Keeping the disco one as is.

Sorry

Ron

I'm still looking for a used LR Adventure rack. Not many out there for sale &
they seem to disappear so fast when they get posted here....
Ron - are you parting with yours after you eventually finish your SS deluxe
rack?

By rack guy on Friday, July 06, 2001 - 11:01 am: Edit

No it's not a PIA to install, it's a PIA to install, then un-install, then install, then un-install, then install, then un-install, etc. I can't imagine keeping it on there all the time, while the roof rack is one-time PIA and out of the way until needed.

By Stephen on Friday, July 06, 2001 - 11:25 am: Edit

oh well, thought I'd at least try!
Good luck with our brakes this weekend!
Stephen

By Bill on Friday, July 06, 2001 - 01:04 pm: Edit

I just put a Yakima rack on, with two of the "copperhead" bike racks and I love it so far. It will be even better when I get the rovertym sliders and the standing platform to lift those bikes to the top of the truck.

By wintertime I plan on getting the LR roof rail extensions, a Yakima space booster box, and some mako saddles/hully rollers for kayaks.

If I were to do more serious 4x4ing and gear hauling, I'd consider something more like the hannibal or some thing similar in function.