Curious to see some opinons (pros/cons) from folks that store luggage etc in roof carriers and from anyone that has a hitch reciever with a basket(platform).
What do you all use/prefer and what are the pros and cons? I'll be moving in a few months and have a baby on the way....plus have to move the dog and the cat so wont have as much room on the inside as i do now and one of the above options will have to be utilized....just getting opinions before i decide...thanks in advance.

Bryan

_________________
2005
Dark Khaki
Liberty Renegade

Both have pros and cons I think.
I have both and have used both on some long trips, I have a roof rack with one of those covers that you put luggage in and zip shut. Works well but a little more wind resistance than the rear carrier. Rear hitch carrier is nice but blocks opening the rear gate, and also more water sprays up on everything from the tires/road. Kind of a matter of choise I think, it all depends on shorter trips which I use and what I am carrying, plus if I feel like lifting it up on top to the roof rack .

_________________
MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

If you are moving and need the space you might want to consider both!

_________________
Jason
----------

Not too worried about the move........Will have my Pick up loaded with most of the stuff for that.
Will need one or the other eventually for family visits anyway...so figureing to decide before we move and have the added space for crap while we move.
I was leaning towards the hitch basket (at first) in case im not around...the wife would be able to unload it easier(she pretty short) i would think...but then anytime she needed anything out the back with the hitch set up, she would have to unload the hitch...is that right? And does the Spare tire inthe back take up alot of space for putting things on it?

What do you guys feel holds more gear...Roof carrier or the hitch?

Thanks for the input so far

Bryan

_________________
2005
Dark Khaki
Liberty Renegade

mmm which is better, I have had 4- 28X18X14 suit cases up on the roof rack with 4 more on the hitch basket when I moved my wife to Boston (plus the inside crammed full ) so each holds about the same, things are a whole lot easier to put on and off the back, but like I said you either have to just reach in the rear window for things in the back or unload everything, the spare doesn't really get in the way or at least not on mine, spare sits right at the edge of the basket. If your wife is short then it would be easier for her to get things off the back. What I did was load things I didn't really need until I reached my destination in the very back with overnight bags/coolers up front that way I did not have to get back there. For weekend trips I just use the roof rack myself. Hope that helps some

Tom

oh and do not do like me the first time I stopped for gas with the hitch basket on and go around back and run smack into it with your knees....OUCH!!! or some words like that

_________________
MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

I would consider both also
They both have their places. I use the following rack to haul everything from whitetailed deer home from the hunt, to bags of ferterlizer from Lowes, to camping gear and taking down the trash as my driveway is about 600 feet long...
I made this one and have had eight 80 pound bags of concrete mix on it.


By MaineSleddah at 2008-06-18


By MaineSleddah at 2008-06-18

_________________
2005 CRD Limited with Select Trac
Bright Silver Metallic
Factory Skid Plates
Factory Towing
Scorpion Trail Stinger chip
"ORM"
RockFather II 2.5" lift
JBA's UCA
Firestone Discoverer M/T, 245/75R16 tires
Spidertrax 1.25" wheel spacers
Rear Sway Bar removed
Samco Hoses
K&N Filter
Yakima rack
Amsoil.

Thank you guys for the input.

We will deffinately have to use one...but are discussing getting both now ...we'll see. Still have quite a few months till the baby is here and then a few months after that till we move so..got some time.

Just wanted to thank you all again....if anyone else has input/advice send it ...

Bryan

_________________
2005
Dark Khaki
Liberty Renegade

With that hitch rack, do you ever get dinged for lack of license plate visibility?
I suppose you could get one of those lighted license plate brackets for it...with plugs for quick removal.

I've been wanting to get one of these but don't know too much about them. They are lockable and weather splash proof.

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-ECC~TH665C.htm

_________________
2002 Liberty Limited
2.5" Rusty's Coil Lift + OME 927 springs + 1/4" spacers
265x70 Revos
Warn 4x Floods
ARB bumper
TeraFlex extended front bumpstops
Rock Lizard Skink Super Sliders
Bosch Size 86 battery
Jeepin by Al's 4.5 UC Arms
Kryptonite Differential Cover
JBA Bolt on KJ Tri-Angulated 4 Link

They have not bothered me for the plate thing. I did take it upon myself to put tail lights and a wiring trailer plug on it though...

_________________
2005 CRD Limited with Select Trac
Bright Silver Metallic
Factory Skid Plates
Factory Towing
Scorpion Trail Stinger chip
"ORM"
RockFather II 2.5" lift
JBA's UCA
Firestone Discoverer M/T, 245/75R16 tires
Spidertrax 1.25" wheel spacers
Rear Sway Bar removed
Samco Hoses
K&N Filter
Yakima rack
Amsoil.

Ok folks....thanks for all the input/advice.

To be safe we're gonna get a reciever hitch put on the Lib. What do you guys recomend? Not looking for anything fancy..just a standard reciever...prob just need a 2 inch right?
Where are good places to get one...brands?

again..thanks

Bryan

_________________
2005
Dark Khaki
Liberty Renegade

go factory OEM everything lines up just right.

_________________
Jason
----------

I like that carrier, where did you get it?

_________________
2015 Ram Ecodiesel/Big Horn/4x4/Quad Cab
2016 Arctic Fox 22G/Onboard 2500 LP Cummins Onan Generator/160 Watt Solar Panel

I took the road less traveled. Now I'm LOST.

I have a roof basket and a hitch basket. I find I use the hitch basket for more things. It's just easier to load stuff.

_________________
The Jeep Family:
2003 KJ Renegade - wife's daily driver
2001 WJ Limited - sister's daily driver
1997 XJ Sport - my daily driver
1995 YJ - the trail rig
1979 CJ5 - dad's toy
1966 M416 - the jeep trailer
1948 CJ2A Willys - my new project

Don't you love it when people quote you but don't read your post first!

Sorry Diesel, I couldn't resist.

_________________
-Gavin
2006 4x4 Sport ~ Dark Khaki
2.5" Rockfather II
Tow Hooks ~ HH Rear Hitch
Hella 500's

gwip Design

Hey, I read it, just didn't catch it!

Here's the one that I bought at wal-mart several years back.

Maximum weight capacity is 500 lbs
Plus, you can order the side rails as an optional kit.

_________________
2015 Ram Ecodiesel/Big Horn/4x4/Quad Cab
2016 Arctic Fox 22G/Onboard 2500 LP Cummins Onan Generator/160 Watt Solar Panel

I took the road less traveled. Now I'm LOST.

diesel -

How is that carrier working for you? I was just about to get it from Target.com ($99 for the rack, $39 for the side bars I think).

Check out Wal-mart first, I think I got mine for $69.00 dollars???? I think it's called the Hitch Haul???? The one at Wal-Mart was 19.25" x 60". I'm pretty sure they still carry the same model. The one at target might be the bigger one which is 23" x 60", thus the more expensive version. I really like mine. It’s light weight but can haul a lot of weight. I’ve used it to haul firewood, camping gear, and dirty/greasy stuff that I don’t want in my Jeep. For the price, it’s a “must have” in my book.

_________________
2015 Ram Ecodiesel/Big Horn/4x4/Quad Cab
2016 Arctic Fox 22G/Onboard 2500 LP Cummins Onan Generator/160 Watt Solar Panel

I took the road less traveled. Now I'm LOST.