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Rack advice for Jeep Wrangler JKU

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Feb 14, 2013
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I just bought a JK series four door Wrangler. Anybody else here carrying canoes on one? What kind of rack system are you using? The roof gutters don't seem robust enough to me for gutter mounts.
 
A friend wanted roof rails on his Wrangler with the detachable composite roof (fiberglass ?). He bought a pair of rails made for the Subaru Forester and attached them to the top. He transports his boat (40+lbs) and so far everything is going okay. I wonder about the safe weight capacity for this and even it is even a good idea.
 
I do not have a Wrangler, I have a Jeep Gladiator with the removable top. I’m using Yakima gutter mount on the cab. It is very secure using the gutter mounts. I suggest you go to <etrailer.com> enter the info for your Wrangler. It will show you what fits a Wrangler. They also have a video that shows how and where the gutter mounts need to be placed.
 
I do not have a Wrangler, I have a Jeep Gladiator with the removable top. I’m using Yakima gutter mount on the cab. It is very secure using the gutter mounts. I suggest you go to <etrailer.com> enter the info for your Wrangler. It will show you what fits a Wrangler. They also have a video that shows how and where the gutter mounts need to be placed.
Thanks for the etrailer suggestion. I should have thought of that.
 
Well, I found a killer deal on some used unknown brand of gutter mount bars (maybe Thule or similar "aero" bars). From all I read, the load capacity should be at least about 90 lbs. That will do for any of my solo canoes, the heaviest being about 45 lbs. It will certainly be fine with the 30 lb Wildfire.

I don't think I'd trust it with heavier loads though. If and when I decide I'm going to keep this Jeep long term (first Jeep I've had since the late '70's and only had it a couple weeks, so the jury's still out), I'll probably install a bolted on rail system from Yakima like I have on my pickup cap.
 
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