wilderness roofrack - how stable is it?

[SeaRubi]

So, after last year's feeble effort of crafting a roofrack on my own (in 24hrs) I've resolved this year to just give up and .. buy one.

What kinds of experiences have the Expo crew had with the Garvin Wilderness rack?

http://www.rocky-road.com/media/fadedjeep.jpg

Does it stand up to heavy abuse while under load? When I was building mine, I was going to use a total of 6 supports - 2 rear, 2 side, and 2 on the front. With an LJ I kind of worry about how well it'll take getting shaken to death on some of our usual routes in eastern washington. thanks for any feedback.

cheers

[LUISJG]

its heavy and wind noise is bad.

look at cargomaster. better choice in my opinion

[SeaRubi]

as in, Kargomaster?

http://www.kargomaster.com/files/new_congo1.jpg

[pwc]

Go, Isaac, Go!!!

[Wild Kingdom]

Isaac, you're an intelligent dude. :clapsmile

[SeaRubi]

well Luis, you are definitely on to something -

http://www.truckracksplus.com/invitem.asp?id=174

I found the "congo cage" online for the unlimited, and it's only $315. This deal is screaming "Surco" basket to me :victory:

http://www.truckracksplus.com/files/50331_small.jpg

[SeaRubi]

Isaac, you're an intelligent dude. :clapsmile

well, I really don't want one - but my hopes of customizing the interior to fit all of us and our gear just ain't gonna happen with only a tail rack. for those that don't know ... we've got me, spouse, 6yo child, and a 70lb collie dog that's taller / longer than most 100lb dogs.

For sure the back seat is going to go, and I'm going to use a good bucket for my daughter, and use the other half for cooler storage. I can't afford an Engel, but these Coleman 12v jobbers look kind of interesting for the price. Not an ideal solution but for $100 it might be a start.

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/images/products/5644-710_500.jpg

[calamaridog]

For sure the back seat is going to go, and I'm going to use a good bucket for my daughter, and use the other half for cooler storage. I can't afford an Engel, but these Coleman 12v jobbers look kind of interesting for the price. Not an ideal solution but for $100 it might be a start.


I'd stick with a regular cooler.

[pwc]

I'd agree.
And better yet!! Buy me the DuoZone thingy for my Engel and I'll make you ice while we drive!!
That's actually not a bad idea....except for the sloshing water part. Well, jsut throw in some of those gel ice packs and we're good.

[RoundOut]

I have one of those, but I didn't pay $100. Gander Mountain had them on sale for $45 ($50 less 10% Scout discount). I looked at the one on display and it looked real cheap. If you read carefully, you'll notice that it is not a true refridgerator and only drops the ambient temperature about 35 degrees. In other words, if the outside air is 75, you would have 40 in the fridge. It would have to get pretty cool at night to ever freeze anything in it. For $45, it looked like a decent deal. I figure if it lasts for a few trips, it will save that much in ice. Our idea was that we could keep it in the A/C vehicle, which would always be around 70 degrees, and keep things pretty cool.

Check your local Gander Mountain, and if they still have them, they'll probably let it go for $49.99. It was a close-out item.

well, I really don't want one - but my hopes of customizing the interior to fit all of us and our gear just ain't gonna happen with only a tail rack. for those that don't know ... we've got me, spouse, 6yo child, and a 70lb collie dog that's taller / longer than most 100lb dogs.

For sure the back seat is going to go, and I'm going to use a good bucket for my daughter, and use the other half for cooler storage. I can't afford an Engel, but these Coleman 12v jobbers look kind of interesting for the price. Not an ideal solution but for $100 it might be a start.

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/images/products/5644-710_500.jpg

[njtaco]

:( I have one of those, and it works fine if you have a lot of battery, drive a lot, or have 110V convertor for it and can plug in. Oh, it has no thermostat, so on a 60 deg day it will freeze your food. :REOutIceFishing: Well, some of it. :smilies27 In moderate temps it works for me, but I have to pay more attention to it than I'd like.

I'm saving up for an Engle/Norcold. I suggest you do the same. :chef:

A fridge review: http://www.expeditionportal.com/equipment/equipment_reviews/fridge/Research/index.php

[stjjames]

I really want one of these . . . Apparently they've discontinued the small 33qt & large 60qt, in favor of the median sized 44qt. Wonder where I could pick up one of the discontinued models for cheap ?

http://www.4wheelsupply.com/images/lrg/arb/MT45F-AL.jpg

[SeaRubi]

:( I have one of those, and it works fine if you have a lot of battery, drive a lot, or have 110V convertor for it and can plug in. Oh, it has no thermostat, so on a 60 deg day it will freeze your food. :REOutIceFishing: Well, some of it. :smilies27 In moderate temps it works for me, but I have to pay more attention to it than I'd like.

I'm saving up for an Engle/Norcold. I suggest you do the same. :chef:

A fridge review: http://www.expeditionportal.com/equipment/equipment_reviews/fridge/Research/index.php

thanks all for the feedback (and for the tip on the sale!) Engel for sure is the way to go. Having pulled many a cold beer from PWC's Engel 45 I'm definitely sold on them but our first trip of the year is fast approaching this spring and I don't have the $$$ for one.

I know the ambient-30deg solution is cheap; my expectations are similarly low. I was kind of figuring that with a 2-liter ice bottle inside it would work / pack down better than a cooler, and I like keeping a bit of ice on hand to mix up a few isaa-ritas :friday:

http://nwrovers.com/pics/albums/Manastash-2005/050730_094656_5282.sized.jpg

if it can keep the ice around a day longer and some meat cool it will have met my requirements for the lonely wilds of the PNW ... i.e. not the Baja or Sahara.

NOW! enough hijacking my own thread - let's hear about those racks!! Seems like more folks have an Engle than they do a roofrack. I was thinking with an Engle and a tail-rack I could get by but, I need to carry 2 jerry cans of fuel and 2 or more of water. With 2 on the tailgate that still leaves 2 to go somewhere else.

:coffeedrink:

kind of begs the question - how much can others stuff on top of a tail rack??

[cshontz]

I kinda like the Wilderness racks - they come in a variety of sizes and configurations, they are sturdy, extremely accessorizable (that a word?), and quality seems to be pretty good. I've not compared Wilderness weight with other racks, but I can say that it posed no inconvenience. It would be near the top of the list if I had a Wrangler TJ, but I think you are wise to research.

I would also consider Bestop's system if there is an application for a long wheelbase TJ. I saw it at SEMA Off-Road last year, and it seemed light, durable, and innovative - although not particularly sexy. The modular plastic trays are nice, and open up multiple storage options.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/175/377546829_d927657587.jpg

[LUISJG]

well Luis, you are definitely on to something -

http://www.truckracksplus.com/invitem.asp?id=174

I found the "congo cage" online for the unlimited, and it's only $315. This deal is screaming "Surco" basket to me :victory:

http://www.truckracksplus.com/files/50331_small.jpg

Thats what i did ,,if i remember correctly i had the 60x50 surco rack on it,
real light and price is great check with summit racing they charge only 10 for shippng on the surco..

the congo cage ,,they used to sell it with out the hump i dont know isf they still do.

[JPFreek1]

This is an interesting topic because I once owned a Kargomaster and now have the Garvin Wilderness Rack on my 05 TJ. The Kargomaster was lighter than the Wilderness Rack because the tubing is hollow whereas the Wilderness rack is a sold construction. The Kargomaster rack was much easier to 'swivel', meaning that if you have a soft top and you want to take the top off, all you have to do is unbolt the two bolts in the front that are mounted to the windshield, then pull the Kargomaster rack backwards as it 'swivel's 90 degrees, then open your soft top. With the Wilderness rack, you have to unbolt the rack from the carrier in the front, then unbolt the frame from two bolts that are drilled into your body (yes, you have drill into your Jeep in order to use the Garvin setup), to then 'swivel' the setup in order to open your top. It's more time consuming and since the rack is heavier, you have to have two people doing this or you just won't get it off.

With that said, for the price, Kargomaster is hands-down a better option as you can get the rack for $300 or less, and another $200 gets you the roof rack to go with it. Garvin's setup costs twice as much though the construction is top-notch as the welds are fine quality and the design is more aesthetically pleasing that the Kargomaster for some people.

I'm going to be doing an official 'review' of the Wilderness rack in the Apr/May issue of JPFreek so check it out then.

Frank

[pwc]

Isaac doesn't mind drilling into his truck. He did that within 2 months of owning it. :)

Tough call......The Kargomaster sounds simplier, but I know you're going to bash the crap out of it.

[86cj]

I have been riding the fence about a roof rack myself, I had visions of a Maggiolina on top of my LJ before I saw the price. Not to many racks offer the big load capacity that would be needed. I even had thoughts about making one, so thanks for sharing....

I have webwheeled the stability subject to death and have not ridden in a Jeep with a rack. It seems to me the actual amount of wind noise and poor handling is one of those things that you have to just do and decide for yourself if you can tolerate the trade offs..

I am already half deaf and drive (like I understand the Jeep thing) so a roof rack may work for me..

I would like to see one of the TOPFIVE racks in person:

http://www.topfiveracks.com/unlimited.asp

[JPFreek1]

I will mention that it doesn't seem like the road noise with the Garvin rack is substantial. I've driven at speeds in excess of 75 mph and it's not very noticeable at all (and I'm not deaf). ;) Also, one of the nice things about the Garvin setup is that the payload is pretty substantial. I imagine the roof rack will hold at least several hundred lbs. of gear no problem.

[kd_walmsley]

SeaRubi,

I use a Kargomaster Congo Cage without the Bushman Steel Rack on a Wrangler with great success. The marketing terms are rather silly. The “Congo Cage” is the rack portion and the “Bushman Steel Rack” is actually the basket portion.

I carry my two person folding tent cot, 10’x10’ E-Z Up instant shelter, a very light weight folding table, two very light weight folding chairs, and two light weight backpacks. This load/rack combination has easily survived low difficulty American trails ranging from Fins and Things to Hell’s Revenge. This setup is completely painless on routes like the White Rim Trail.

At a svelte, ballerina like 127 kilos/280 lbs. And 1.9m/6’3” tall I do not have any problems climbing around on the rack for picture taking and route viewing. The weakest point is where the rear rack mounts bolt to the tub. Use a backing plate to distribute the stress and periodically check the boltholes in the tub for elongation.

Everyone has different loading techniques that suit their preferences/experience/mission requirements. I prefer not to use the popular rimmed metal basket. Composite decking or Mo-Mat and a fanatical dedication to checking tie down straps works well for me.

I also enjoy the easy of lifting the rack to drop the soft top. It is a very simple operation as previously described. The noise generated by a roof rack is a non-issue for me. A leaf sprung, aggressive tread, large tire, soft top, enhanced cooling system, modified motor and exhaust jeep, is simply never going to be a quiet vehicle. If you need a quiet vehicle, look into the Toyotas. They are fantastic light duty trucks.

I am sorry I cannot help you with a rack-to-rack comparison, as Kargomaster is the only commercial brand I have experience with.

Safe Travels,

Kevin

[Gear]

I still perfer my custom rack. On my 97 TJ I had the rack and rear basket made for $600. Built in a day, simply awesome. The center bar was removable and I could drop the soft top without having to remove anything other then the center bar.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d633b3127cce8b98188a52d800000016108EatWzFu0cO

My latest rack has several cool features. Yakima size tubing allows for mtn. bike, kayak, Thule box, and the aluminum panel to be easily attached and removed. I made the front opening so the windshield can be lowered. The top center and rear bars simply unbolt so I can slide my hardtop in and out. Here are the photographs. This rack was $1000.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dc30b3127cce812b5dd3862b00000016108EatWzFu0cO

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dc30b3127cce812b5daf865700000026108EatWzFu0cO

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dc30b3127cce812b5d90075800000016108EatWzFu0cO

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7dc30b3127cce812b5de0072800000015108EatWzFu0cO

[toyrunner95]

i had a wilderness sport rack on my 4runner, it was kinda small but it held what i needed to haul. i think it was rated up to like 600 pounds or something, didnt make too much difference in noise or gas milage and i kept my spare tire up there 24/7. drove from pullman to auburn at least 4 times a year without any rattles wind noise or anything. i would buy another one if i had the chance.

wish i still had the truck for that matter.

[86cj]

Thanks again Gear, Those are some good shots, nice rig......

Your rack is the best execution I have seen and inspires me, any pics of the rear leg mounting?

Let's see the bender, die and tubing cost about the same as having it made....Yep, I'm one more pic from talking myself into it.....

I can imagine how well it works, the one and only time I was in Moab (mid Sept) I opened the sun rider once and never put top down. My soft top and the Moab diner were the only shade I could find, in the 100's all week.

[Beowulf]

May be if we all keeping buggin Safety Devices they will make this one.

I would chop off the bar over the rear fender and one going down to the rocker guard. This is meant as an exo cage and I only need a rack.

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/7137/10004713or.jpg

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/5039/10004757ig.jpg

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/118/10004727pa.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/smxa8y.jpg

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/1733/dsc20492nr.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/756/dsc20563oz.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/3196/dsc20581mz.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/smy2d3.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/smxd1j.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/smxd7c.jpg

[Beowulf]

http://i2.tinypic.com/smxezk.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/smxdah.jpg

[86cj]

Beowulf,

Great pics, I have one far away pic of that rack and did not know who made it.......

Thanks for sharing,,, Good info!!