Roof Rack Questions

JEden8 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:55 pm

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the factory sport utility bars or just replacing the roof rack completely? I'm wanting to have a basket but also be able to have the bike mounts and kayak mounts as an available option. Any ideas on what is the best way to go?

nightdrv · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 12:15 am

Thule or Yakima.

das4x4 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 03, 2010 1:03 am

I have Thule cross bars with kayak and canoe carriers I take on and off as needed. Mounting the cross bars to the Jeep's roof rails takes maybe 5-10 minutes. The water sport carriers another 5 or so. I don't have a basket, but couldn't imagine it would be all that difficult a task to secure. My bikes are carried via a hitch mount system. I'll soon have a double (stacked) reciever http://www.hitchcorner.com that will allow me to attach the bike carrier while having the trailer hooked up.

Sorry my photos are a little too far away to show much detail. I think another member here (SkinInc) has better photos of his Thule rack system than what I have on file. Lots of others here on LOST have a basket system. Hope this helps.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 03, 2010 1:08 am

That pic, looks like you definitely have places to go

depending on the basket you can sometimes still mount the bike etc mounts, some of the baskets make it more difficult

a rack similar to what boiler makes would give you something along the best of all the worlds

keeping cargo off the roof, expecially if you have a skyslider is the key

nightdrv · **Posted:** Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:40 pm

I run a Thule rack system. Using a Thule Frontier aero box and a Yakima Load Warrior (w/ext).

If you're really desperate for space go here:
http://www.rackattack.com/yakima-trailers.asp

TheEternaString · **Joined:** Tue Aug 03, 2010 9:03 am **Posts:** 1

Hey das4x4, what model Thule system (feet and crossbars) are you using. I emailed Thule and the representative said there is no fit for a 2008 Liberty with real cross bars. He probably just used the fitguide which doesn't list the KK. Thanks very much.

das4x4 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:56 am

I use Thule's #450 Crossroad Railing Foot Pack with thier #45058 square roof bar. The foot pack is a universal fit that uses a flexible band to attach on to the top roof rails. You simply place the foot pack on the rail, stretch the band under the rail and hook on to the foot pack, then use the supplied allen (hex) wrench to tighten. The wrench is cleverly attached to the underside of the logo end caps. For a few $$ more, you can get a locking system for it. Slide the bars through the openings on the foot pack and center before tightening the band. I use a 58" square bar (#45058) which sizes nicely to the width of my roof. I may be going to a wider bar as my daughter is now learning how to kayak which will mean 3 yaks on top. I'll still be within load limits for the roof system but not by much. When the 3rd yak is purchased, I'll probably have to go to a little wider bar which means some over hang. The square bars do produce noticable wind noise, but on the nice days, I drive with the windows down and the stereo up anyway

I take the system off for the winter. 10-15 minutes to put the foot pack and rails on or off. I'd like to have a roof basket some day and have the same questions you do about adding the kayak carriers to the railing of the basket. I use a hitch mount for carrying the bikes. There are other systems out there. This is the one that works best for me.

Roof Rack Questions

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