I just put on some Yakima Low Riders with crossbars. So...What are the advantages to using a basket vs. using a weather resistant cover as roof storage for trips. Anyone with some experience? Thanks.

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2005 4x4 Sport
Yakima Low Riders
Hidden Hitch
MOPAR tow hooks
RL Skink Step Sliders
Magnaflow
3/4 armored
235/70/16 Grabber AT 2
and a lot of little stuff...

forgive me if it seems obvious, but a weather resistant cover is resistant to the weather, whereas the basket is not

By a weather resistant cover do you mean a roof-bag or a roof-box? I assume a cover by itself really wouldn't get you anything, you need something to cover.

It really depends on what you want to put on the roof. If you want to throw some weather-resistant things up there (cooler, water jug, gascan, tent, chairs, etc), the basket is probably easier to load (and it's less limited by size and shape). The box can be closed and locked, however, so if you want space to store anything and keep it out of sight, that might be a good choice

Something else to think about is garage clearance. The KJ is already really tall, so if you add a basket that's another inch or two minimum (unless you do a below-bar mount like I and others have). A roof-box will be a foot or two, I would guess.

So in summary:

Weather Resistance: Box+, Basket-
Security: Box+, Basket-
"Garage Clearance": Box-, Basket+
Versitility: Box+ (because you can fill it with anything and not need to tie down or make weatherproof), Basket+ (because size/shape is not an issue if you have straps/ropes/bungees)
Cost: Basket+, Box- (decent roofboxes are $$$, baskets can be had for $50)

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Jeff 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade
4x4, 6spd, Leather, Sunroof, trak-loc, skids/rails, hitch+shackle, hooks, Alpine/iPod, Thule, GPS, CB, Frankenlifted w/ 31" MTRs
Photos Cardomain

Well...look a this way...WR cover is just a way to strap something up top on trips(tents, some luggage, etc...)....I guess what I should have stated is a WR cover going to hold something in place as well as a basket would? Considering that the only thing the cover sits on is basically the roof (right?) and strapped to rails and crossbars whereas the basket should (in theory) hold everything nice and tight with some straps. Maybe I am overthinking this. I know the basket comes off when not in use because I had to modify my garage door handle (cut it down a bit) so the Liberty wouldn't hit the handle while bringing it in.

_________________
2005 4x4 Sport
Yakima Low Riders
Hidden Hitch
MOPAR tow hooks
RL Skink Step Sliders
Magnaflow
3/4 armored
235/70/16 Grabber AT 2
and a lot of little stuff...

I guess the real question is, do you really want things resting on the painted metal roof of the jeep?

With a basket or solid box, you have a solid base to ratchet or tie things to. Their weight is distributed to the rails, which are designed to support it. Since the rails are all sturdy and immobile, properly secured cargo won't move any and will be fine.

When you tie things directly to the roof, though, who knows. The middle of the roof will be supporting all the weight (and I am pretty sure it was not designed to, I've seen lots of cars with a dented roof from the same sort of thing). Also, the cargo will be resting directly on the roof, possibly scratching paint (doesn't take much). Additionally, since the roof is not as sturdy as the rails, when you really lash/ratchet things down to it, the roof will cave in, so as a result, you'd need to leave things a little looser. Loose things on the roof will move up and down and side to side while driving, increasing the scratching and downward force that could dent the roof. (if a 50lb weight doesn't dent in the roof when you just set it on top, that doesn't mean that it won't dent it when it jumps up and down on bumps)

If you already have the crossbars, I'd suggest picking things for the roof that will be able to sit directly on the crossbars without needing to contact the roof (the tent perhaps comes in a long bag you can just lash to the roof). Move the crossbars closer together if needed, and secure all cargo with ratchet straps ($15 or so at lowes or home depot).

If the stuff you plan on carrying up there really won't be able to be secured to the bars, I'd suggest either a basket or a box over a bag (WR cover as you called it). The bags seem to cost between $30 and $50 anyway, and if you can get a basket for $50 and use your own tupperware bins, waterproof bags, or even a tarp to cover your stuff, I think you'll be better off.

Oh, also - because a box/basket can secure the cargo better, it will be less noisy on the road (no jostling around and banging on the roof).

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Jeff 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade
4x4, 6spd, Leather, Sunroof, trak-loc, skids/rails, hitch+shackle, hooks, Alpine/iPod, Thule, GPS, CB, Frankenlifted w/ 31" MTRs
Photos Cardomain

I would say that I like the basket personally, seems more stable and you can purchase a web netting for it that will help hold things really good and tight (it has 14 clips that attach to the metal rim)



Plus like you said it is removable...it has 8 "allen"(not sure how it is actually spelt now that i have to type it) wrench screws
Plus with the holes that are in the brackets that hold it to the side roof rails I'm thinking of rigging up something so when I get a Hi-Lift jack it will just slide into those openings that are on top of the rail.

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Had 2005 KJ Rocky Mnt. Edition (destroyed)
Had 2006 KJ Sport 4x4
Have 2007 JK 4-dr Sahara 4x4 (tow package so stock 4.10s!!)
AEV 3.5" RS Lift; Schrockworks FR bumper and Warn 9.5ti winch; Cobra 75 CB; Rigid 50" LED light bar; Adventure Trailers (AT Overland) JK Kitchen setup in the cargo area.
Southern L.O.S.T. # 236487

Baskets look cool

The best rack ever is EDWIN's, formally Chemguy's homebuilt

i say go basket
we have on that we put on for long trips and if you plan to do even the lightest wheelin then a bag wont stay in place and a box will add weight that you dont need
the rack we have i think is a surco or something like that sumit racing has them or you may find one on ebay for $75 new like us
also bigger is better

I know it's not as cool, but a hitch-haul is VERY usefull. I take the WR bag I got at WalMart a long time ago and bungee it verically to the HH. I can fit a cooler, firewood, the WR bag, and a gas grill or smoker to the HH (did that last weekend). No, you can't wheel with it (unless you've got easy departures) - get a basket for that. If you get the WalMart HH, and you have the rear door tire, you will need a 12" extension. Overall it's cheaper, and no MPG hit (as I've seen).

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My opinions & advice are taken at your own risk.
+
2002 Patriot Blue KJ - Coming soon!
2006 Black LJ (Wrangler Unlimited), auto, custom skids, 3.5" Rubicon Express, Aussie D30, Rocker Guards & Cooper AT3 235x85r16
2009 Patriot Blue D2500, 5.7L Hemi, 4x4, Quad Cab
1967 Alberg 37' Masthead rigged Sloop

Ok so who's got pics of the best rack ever ???

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2016 JKU RUBICON

other mods coming soon...

Hey Rocky Mtn, nice rack
Is it the same one as the following site, or a different "Yakima" kind? They look the same to me...

http://www.justforjeeps.com/racaroba1.html


Anybody used the renegade roof basket on a limited or sport, and does it look funny? How's that compare? Is the cargo sitting on the roof or does it have a bottom? See link for the one I'm talking about...

http://www.justforjeeps.com/racaroba.html


WOO HOO Libby Lu
JeepChick in KY!

This is a family-friendly forum, so I won't post a photo.

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Jeff 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade
4x4, 6spd, Leather, Sunroof, trak-loc, skids/rails, hitch+shackle, hooks, Alpine/iPod, Thule, GPS, CB, Frankenlifted w/ 31" MTRs
Photos Cardomain

If you are talking about KJ's: http://www.thefergusons.us/kj/kj.htm

If you are talking about Boobs then, I have them here at my house. I got my wife a set of 48 EE inplants for her birthday, I take em out and play with them pretty often while she sleeps. I just ain't gave'm to her yet, they are still in the box.

Yea that would be the same one...the only difference would be the mounting brackets, they look different in the picture then the ones I have. The ones in the picture look like Thule Brackets actually but i could be mistaken

_________________
Had 2005 KJ Rocky Mnt. Edition (destroyed)
Had 2006 KJ Sport 4x4
Have 2007 JK 4-dr Sahara 4x4 (tow package so stock 4.10s!!)
AEV 3.5" RS Lift; Schrockworks FR bumper and Warn 9.5ti winch; Cobra 75 CB; Rigid 50" LED light bar; Adventure Trailers (AT Overland) JK Kitchen setup in the cargo area.
Southern L.O.S.T. # 236487