roof luggage rack options

[Rich Jordan]

I'm considering finally setting up to make use of the top of my 2002 Liberty for hauling. I've already run into a couple of occasions where it would have been nice to tie some excess stuff up there instead of having the front passenger seat folded down to accommodate some overlong piece.

If there's ever a bug-out situation, the Jeep's interior is far from capacious, especially once we have a dog or two in the family again. Having a way to put extras on the roof (gas and water cans, secondary BOB chest(s), etc, more if needed) would be good.

It came with the longitudinal rails. I can find OEM crossrails for about $130 new, occasionally less used, and a number of aftermarket ones (Thule, Westin) for considerably more. Alternatively there may still be baskets out there that attach directly to the longitudinals and don't need the crossbars at all.

I'm not looking for premium equipment (can't afford it) but decent quality. I'm leaning away from the no-name crossbars on ebay for that reason; who knows who made them (other than some Chinese factory) or how they would hold up even to the very occasional use I expect for them.

Thanks.

[Fivetoes]

Have you considered a frame mounted hitch and a receiver cargo carrier? I think it would work out a lot better for most of what you want the rack for. Yea, I know it would be a pain getting the tail gate open.

[randy]

I have a trailer hitch platform and a nylon cargo bag that I can put on the roof and attach to the cargo bars.

Worked out well a couple of years ago with my Cherokee when the family went on a week long vacation. Everything for use while we were at the cabin in the roof carrier, large cooler on the platform with most of the food we needed for the week, and stuff for the trip itself in the back.

Yeah, a bit of a pain opening the rear hatch with cooler on it, had to loosen the straps to move the cooler. With the Trailblazer I have now, I can use the rear lift window to access the back.

I have a friend with a Liberty and a roof basket he acquired recently. I'll see if I can get more information.

[randy]

Heard back from my friend:

My roof top cargo carrier is used and I got it cheap from a friend. Another friend ...just got a Black Widow cargo carrier thing for about $130. He also made some cross rails to mount it on. I can get the particulars from him tomorrow, probably, like size and model number. If your friend with the Liberty isn't on www.lostkjs.com he should be. There is a wealth of information there about maintenance, performance, activities, etc. Also, some of the roof top cargo carriers (aka safari baskets) require a front "air deflector" to keep the wind from whistling around the bars, etc.

[Termite]

There are also hitch hauls that swing out of the way of the tail gate. They cost a bit more, though.

[Denis]

I like Thule equipment. I have a set of bars and/or bars and feet for each of our cars.

I drive a normal-sized station-wagon, so I don't mind too much hoiking everything (bikes, skis, etc.) up to roof level. If I had even a slightly taller car, I'd give serious thought to the tow-hitch mounted options.

[blackeagle603]

All my vehicles have either a rack of somekind (used mostly for surfboards) or a large waterproof roof sack. I've got a 5x8 utility trailer that's more than earned it's keep. If you've got room to park a small trailer you might think about that option. We've even camped in it quite a few times. Really a nice setup under a 10x10 popup side curtains. Fit's a queen foam mattress with room to spare. Camp box, coolers, bikes and duffle with kid's tent would all go into it in 15 minutes and we'd be on the road.

[Frankingun]

When the tax checks come, i'll prolly add the tow hitch and the crossbars to our Liberty. We just got a 2009, so ours is a little bigger than yours. Please post tho if you find something you like.

Also, in the surfing I have done for accessories, sometimes there are sites that have the OEM stuff for a little less. Jeep World was sometimes cheaper than Chrysler.

[Rich Jordan]

Thanks for the info; a lot to chew on.

I ordered the Jeep with the towing kit so it has the factory receiver installed. I'd been ignoring the hitch mount carriers because of how they block the rear door but realistically that should not be too much of an issue. And its certainly easier to lift full jerry cans to that than to a roof basket/carrier. We'll have to see what kind of capacity is available (ice chest/BOB/jerry cans/etc).

The last time I used a roof carrier was on our family's '69 Custom Suburban wagon; it had big suction cups on its feet and used web straps hooked into the door gutters to stay on. A basket carrier sounds a lot nicer but the ones I've seen tend to be pricey. More shopping to do I guess.

Any additional thoughts appreciated.

Rich

[blackeagle603]

sounds like an excuse to buy a chop saw and welder n' get busy fabricating.

ar arr ARRR