Roof Rack Options for Your H1, H2, SUT, H3, and H3T

[Timgco]

I wanted to see if there are any other Roof Rack Maunfacts you guys are interested in?
While I feel the GOBi racks are one of the better choices out there, I would like to get some feedback from those that may like other designs options from other maunfacts.
There are obvious high end choices all the way down to strapping a milk crate to your roof:giggle:. Here are some of the manufacts I am doing more research on now or have in the past.

Surco
ARB
Front Runner
Off Road Unlimited
Baja Rack
Thule
Yakima
Garvin
Predator Motorsports

I will go through pics I have over the next couple of days and post up.

*** Please do NOT post info of where you purchased your rack from in this thread. ***

...looking forward to your pics, thoughts, etc.

 

[M22KLARS]

First off let me say... Tim, if this isn't the kind of post you're looking for here let me know and I'll delete it. :cheers:

I like my BA. (Boulder Accessories) But they don't make these anymore and they are not very easy to come by.

Pros:
Made of Light Weight Aluminum
Plenty of places to tie stuff down
Looks beefy
Easy Install using factory rails
Doesn't obstruct Sunroof
Can be used with Gobi Ladder

Cons:
PC isn't the greatest. (Comes off easily)
Only Two mounts for lights on front and rear (I had to make my own Light bar. See pics)
It doesn't stretch from windshield to back glass. The rack sits behind the sunroof but reaches all the way to the back door.
It's not a Gobi :wink:

Overall I've been really happy with the rack. It's carried gear, plywood, sheet rock, tires, etc. with no problems.

 

[Hans3T]

I have a ROLA rack. I like it because it is easy/on and easy/off. The cargo capacity is not extravagant, but for the price, it's a decent rack. The powder coating and welds are high quality. It was definitely NOT made with off-road in mind though -- more like for a few suitcases or a snowboard/kayak.

 

[Green 1]

I have had the Gobi and Boulder racks. What I am looking for is a a Rack that looks like a stealth rack with the low sides. With the higher front with a built in light bar mount for my HMC4.

 

[08SolarFlareH3]

I like the looks of the ARB but I would love to see Baja Rack EXP on an H3!

 

[Timgco]

First off let me say... Tim, if this isn't the kind of post you're looking for here let me know and I'll delete it. :cheers:

Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.

after we get the different options/ manufacts on the table, I'll put together a list:
material
weight
cost
modular or solid
pros
cons
etc.

That will be a different thread. Kind of a "roof rack shootout".
If nothing else, this will be a good thread for a thorough comparison and feeback thread on how these have held up.

 

[06 H3]

Gobi rack was well designed. I have hauled bails of hay, tables, atv tires, and that is with the 2nd spare tire mount type rack. It has held up well, no rust. The PC and undercoat are top notch. I just need to get the weight of the thing. That may be the downside to it.

 

[Timgco]

OK, I have just about all the info I need to do a rack comparison.

I should have this ready to release just after the 1st of the year. This will be for the H3 ONLY to start. We can do the H2 and H1 next.

if you have info to add on any of the listed racks in this thread, please let me know. I may be contacting a couple of you for additional pics.

Thanks,
Tim.

 

[3Hummers]

The old SMA racks like on my old 97 wagon, Mikkel's current truck, are very good. They are extremely strong, maybe a little heavy and have the aluminum planks for flooring. They have no bounce or give when walking on them but a heavy mesh flooring would make securing loads easier.

 

[Timgco]

OK, so here are the H3 racks currently being made for the H3 and am currently working on. I have most of what I need so far.
ARB * Baja Rack * Front Runner * Garvin * GOBI * Thule * Rola * Surco * Yakima

I am still working on the FrontRunner info. I am still finding out attachement options, etc. Did I miss any current manufacts?

This article will ONLY be for racks that are currently still in production. While the SMA and BA ones were good, they are no longer being produced so I see no point to do a writeup on those at this time.

The purpose of this article will show:
current available roof rack options for the H3
pros/ cons of each rack
structural materials used
finishes used
hardware used
weight of rack
available accessories
costs
Overview of each rack

 

[Timgco]

should have this wrapped up toward the end of this week. ...just trying to get better pics of all the racks to go with the article.

 

[H3slate]

:corn:

 

[06 H3]

looking forward to seeing the article.

Just used my gobi today, in fact! I loved it, even with the 2nd spare on it was able to handle 5 snowboards.

 

[Timgco]

..just a quick update. I have everything done with the exception of a couple needed pics. I have been asked to hold off by two of the manufacts due to some new products/ updated products due out soon. I have decided to wait until I have that info and do this all at once since this is going to be an article vs just a documented forum post. If you have specific Q's on the rack between now and than, please let me know via Pm or email.

Thanks,
Tim.