I can't stand on top of the factory rack. I need the height for photography...thus the Gobi on my ride. I agree, if you are a DIY kinda person, the stock rack can be made to support much more than at first glance. (yea - I considered custom fabing a platform for the stock rack, but I couldn't wait until after winter dor all the fab and mods it would have taken me to get it right).
BTW, I did the same thing for my axe/shovel for my gobi using a couple pairs of old yakima bar mounts - exactly same concept. Great minds must think alike!
