Roof Racks- Gobi vs Rola

[chascoll]

Hey...I'm new to the game, but why is there such a huge price difference between Rola and Gobi roof rack systems? I like the ladder with gobi but the rola seems pretty good too for a fraction of the price. I fully understand the concept of "you get what you pay for" but gobi seems like they think a lot of their products. Please someone enlighten me on this subject. Thanks ! Charlie.

 

[cgalpha08]

The Gobi racks are full roof length racks that are what i call semi permanent, while they are bolt on, your not going to want to take it off after you put it on. The Gobi racks are very well made and can hold heavier loads,etc etc. The Rola racks are good because you can attach them to the oem cross bars for when you nede more cargo space, and then you can just remove it when you done, but they are not as well made as the GOBI, IMO I have been very well pleased with my Gobi, and would buy another one in a heartbeat!

 

[is350]

I can second what cgalpa08 said, the gobi racks are extremely well made and strong, everything just feel extremely well put together, and thought out

 

[alrock]

Depends on what you want to do with them and how you want to mount them. The roof top baskets, like the Rolas, need OEM or aftermarket cross bars to mount to. They tend to be smaller and relatively high profile since you have to mount to the top of those cross bars. F5 has a Rola or similar and upgraded his crossbars to Yakima as the OEM ones were flexing too much and the rack mounts were rubbing on the roof.

If you want a rack that integrates directly into the roof rail Gobi is of course excellent and I'm a fan. Knight Metal Works also makes great racks. Defender Racks has a good reputation as well.

The Rola type serves many people well. Depends on how you're going to use it, the look you prefer for your truck and of course budget.

 

[Gunner_45]

I'll tell ya what a fellah once told me regarding Gobi vs. the other guy’s:

“On theirs, you can serve tea and crumpets.....On a Gobi, you can have a ****ing block party”.

Supposedly, certain members on here have photographic evidence of a Gobi block party.


:giggle:

 

[Scarsman]

I'll tell ya what a fellah once told me regarding Gobi vs. the other guy’s:

“On theirs, you can serve tea and crumpets.....On a Gobi, you can have a ****ing block party”.

Supposedly, certain members on here have photographic evidence of a Gobi block party.


:giggle:

This is my Knight Metal Works rack. Does this qualify for "block party" status? :wink::yippee

 

[Gunner_45]

Yessir.....That most certainly would.

:cheers:

For the record: That statement was made long before your stuff came on the scene.

 

[Pappibri]

Depends on if you can afford a Gobi or not. I myself could not afford a Gobi, so I went with the Rola and am very happy with the look, and the durability of it... If you add a third crossbar, you can see from Hunners photos, by the way, he has a Rola also, that he pretty much has a block party on his with all the stuff he loads up on it... He seems to like his as well.. So I guess if you have the money, then Gobi is the better product, but if not Rola is just fine.

 

[Gunner_45]

I was going to go with a Rola or such to begin with, then won an auction for a BA rack.

Then after a VERY LONG wait, I found a great deal on a gently used Gobi.

Located a guy on CL dumping his truck and inquired as to whether he would sell off the Gobi seperately.

Ended up trading him a cloth interior that I had left over from a Katskinz install (to replace his trashed one) and a dab of cash for it ... then sold the BA to offset the cost.

Not sure I would have the Gobi had events not turned out like they did.

BTW: I shared that comment about the Gobi block party because I thought it was humorous.......not trying to be inflamatory or insult anyone and their choice of roof racks.

You have to buy what suits your needs and fits into you budget.

Simple as that.

 

[cgalpha08]

Yep, you need it for whatever suits you best. If you don't want the gobi, then the knight metal works is a good choice as well.

The reason for the price being so high is that they are very well made and the market for hummers is diminishing very quickly!

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

 

[Pappibri]

I definitely would prefer the full length Gobi, but unless I got a steal on one, or one dropped into my hands, just dont have that much Cheddar to drop on a roof rack... I did not see anything that was insulting in your post... Congrats on your good fortune... Sometimes things just fall into place, unfortunately it rarely happens but gotta love it when it does.

 

[chascoll]

Understood...the same holds true for quality of building products in my industry. I appreciate everyone's useful input. This forum is awesome!

 

[chascoll]

My truck has the rails that run the length of the vehicle on each side and no cross bars like you see on the h2. Which system is best suited for my current set up and more importantly, most user friendly?

 

[MuDnYrI]

If you don't get a GOBI you won't have "Elite Status" on this forum :shame: :wink:


[video=youtube;7ii_0MrusCw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ii_0MrusCw&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/video][/QUOTE]

 

[Pappibri]

:huh::giggle:

 

[58Bisc]

I'm a big fan of the GOBI, but not the price. Not to mention that shipping can be almost as much as the Rola cost. I found a local builder to make me a stealth for 1/3 the price including delivery. It will cost me a little more then the Rola and if you add the cost of OEM roof rails, which I don't have, it's in the same price range. Look around for a local builder or look for a used GOBI if that is what you really want, but can't really afford or justify. If not and you have OEM roof rail, gab a Rola. I don't think you can go wrong either way.