Bowfin Cruisers roof rack review

[Ocho77]

So, I've actually had this roof rack since the initial first 10 that Patrick sold. I had a Gobi roof rack prior to this. I love the look of the Gobi, but I did not like the fixed cross bars, and wanted something more versatile.

Packaging:
The roof rack was packaged outstanding, though I just drove to Patrick's place to pick it up, so did not have any shipping experience. Everything was wrapped tight, bolts were in labeled bags, making it very easy to sort for installation.

Installation:
It was an extremely easy install, once I figured out there were specific sides (I'm not real smart sometimes). Once I figured that out, it went together very quickly. The wife and I had it together in less than an hour. The clips on the side of the roof rack, that fasten it to the rails, is one of my favorite parts of this roof rack. They are completely adjustable, and then have bolts that go through to keep them from opening inadvertently.

Use/Strength:
We've had this thing loaded down with multiple military cargo tubs, full of gear for a 5 month move to Florida in the winter. It's been loaded with gear for camping, as well as a RTT. It is easy to find different ways to strap items down, and bars are removable, and adjustable, which is awesome.

Finally, I can give this 10 stars for strength. I had a road shower mounted to the roof rack, on the passenger side. One day, forgetting that it was mounted to the rack, decided to pull the cruiser into the garage. The road shower obviously slammed into the garage door header, busted the siding, dented the header, and peeled all the trim off of the underside of the header.

The rack didn't budge. Not even 1/2 inch. I was extremely impressed with the strength. No bent bars, no sliding, etc.

So, if you're looking for a quality built rack, with good customer service to boot, get a hold of @dogfishlake

He's a great, stand-up guy, will make sure you're taken care of, and want's nothing more than to serve the LC community. If you don't believe that, I'll take a picture of his driveway the next time I visit...he has a dreamy driveway full of most land cruisers we all dream about.

 

[dogfishlake]

So, I've actually had this roof rack since the initial first 10 that Patrick sold. I had a Gobi roof rack prior to this. I love the look of the Gobi, but I did not like the fixed cross bars, and wanted something more versatile.

Packaging:
The roof rack was packaged outstanding, though I just drove to Patrick's place to pick it up, so did not have any shipping experience. Everything was wrapped tight, bolts were in labeled bags, making it very easy to sort for installation.

Installation:
It was an extremely easy install, once I figured out there were specific sides (I'm not real smart sometimes). Once I figured that out, it went together very quickly. The wife and I had it together in less than an hour. The clips on the side of the roof rack, that fasten it to the rails, is one of my favorite parts of this roof rack. They are completely adjustable, and then have bolts that go through to keep them from opening inadvertently.

Use/Strength:
We've had this thing loaded down with multiple military cargo tubs, full of gear for a 5 month move to Florida in the winter. It's been loaded with gear for camping, as well as a RTT. It is easy to find different ways to strap items down, and bars are removable, and adjustable, which is awesome.

Finally, I can give this 10 stars for strength. I had a road shower mounted to the roof rack, on the passenger side. One day, forgetting that it was mounted to the rack, decided to pull the cruiser into the garage. The road shower obviously slammed into the garage door header, busted the siding, dented the header, and peeled all the trim off of the underside of the header.

The rack didn't budge. Not even 1/2 inch. I was extremely impressed with the strength. No bent bars, no sliding, etc.

So, if you're looking for a quality built rack, with good customer service to boot, get a hold of @dogfishlake

He's a great, stand-up guy, will make sure you're taken care of, and want's nothing more than to serve the LC community. If you don't believe that, I'll take a picture of his driveway the next time I visit...he has a dreamy driveway full of most land cruisers we all dream about.

Thanks buddy, much appreciated.

Meeting other MUD friends is awesome. I have made friendships with and admired all the people I have met, which has proven the real value of being a vendor here. It's an amazing thing and yet another great draw to being into Land Cruisers. Looking forward to being up your way again soon!

 

[Mdej3]

Pics or it didn’t happened

 

[ajax1]

Love my rack, Pat is bad ass, love my rack use it all the time

 

[Ocho77]

Oh, it happened. Bent the he*% out of the brackets on the Road Shower, but didn't budge the roof rack.

Here is the roof rack on the truck, and the damage to the garage door/header.

 

[RockShoes]

Has anyone living in an area that gets legitimate snow/ice run one of these racks through the winter season? How did the full gutter design do in those type of conditions? I'm starting my 80 series rack shop and so far the Bowfin product is the leading contender.

 

[Jason hansen]

Love that roof rack. Will definitely get one when I replace mine.

 

[ajax1]

Has anyone living in an area that gets legitimate snow/ice run one of these racks through the winter season? How did the full gutter design do in those type of conditions? I'm starting my 80 series rack shop and so far the Bowfin product is the leading contender.

Does fine in the snow, live in Colorado and have had zero issues, truck lives outside since it won’t fit in the garage .

 

[REKCUT]

Mine fits in garage but had to add 8 cases of shotgun shells to get it out with foxwing attached

 

[REKCUT]

Love buying from an actual cruiser head. Bonus is i feel its the best option going

 

[Ocho77]

Has anyone living in an area that gets legitimate snow/ice run one of these racks through the winter season? How did the full gutter design do in those type of conditions? I'm starting my 80 series rack shop and so far the Bowfin product is the leading contender.

I live in Northern Michigan, 12 miles off Lake Michigan. We see a lot of lake effect snow in the winter. I have a Bowfin rack on my 60 and one on my 80. They do great in the snow/ice, though I may not be clear as to what you are referring.

Patrick lives in Michigan as well, and sees a lot of snow where he lives, so can probably vouch for his own product. It really is a stellar product, and Patrick is awesome to deal with. A true cruiser head that just wants to help the community.

Good luck in your search, and I would definitely keep this at the top of the list.

Cheers!

 

[RockShoes]

I live in Northern Michigan, 12 miles off Lake Michigan. We see a lot of lake effect snow in the winter. I have a Bowfin rack on my 60 and one on my 80. They do great in the snow/ice, though I may not be clear as to what you are referring.

Patrick lives in Michigan as well, and sees a lot of snow where he lives, so can probably vouch for his own product. It really is a stellar product, and Patrick is awesome to deal with. A true cruiser head that just wants to help the community.

Good luck in your search, and I would definitely keep this at the top of the list.

Cheers!

Great to know the rack performs well in winter conditions. I was mostly wondering if the full gutter contact design made for ice build up issues during melt/freeze cycles. Sounds like it's been a non-issue.

 

[Ocho77]

Performs great in winter...

 

[fj80toyman]

Great to know the rack performs well in winter conditions. I was mostly wondering if the full gutter contact design made for ice build up issues during melt/freeze cycles. Sounds like it's been a non-issue.

I would second all the good things that have been said about the rack and the builder, top notch for sure.

I do have two comments, the first regarding the full-contact with the gutter.
I typically park under a tree, and for about 6 months of the year, it drops different things on my roof.
Not sure what tree this is, sometimes it drops hard-shelled husks, sometimes it's tiny little blossoms.
They collect between the outer rails and the rain gutters and stack up and hold in moisture.
I've had to blow them out a couple times and I watch it so it doesn't get built up too much, worried that it will cause corrosion in that typically vulnerable area.

The second is very minor, the "Bowfin" badge on the front has some rust on it.
Not sure where it came from because from what it looks like, it's stainless but there it is - rust.
Don't care too much about that, but thought I'd throw that in.

I've had a couple people ask about it and have given it a recommendation for strength, build quality and execution.

I keep a full-sized shovel, Hi-Lift jack, solar panel, a set of TRED's and a set of MaxTrax (can't make up my mind!).
I can also carry several more boxes of gear as I need to without worry that there's too much up there.


Dan.

 

[thatcabledude]

Great to know the rack performs well in winter conditions. I was mostly wondering if the full gutter contact design made for ice build up issues during melt/freeze cycles. Sounds like it's been a non-issue.

Bowfin himself is in Michigan I think, so I'm sure it's fine.

 

[nigelsiam]

Do you remember what you paid for your rack? I think they just went up $100 but just checking on an older thread. $995. now

 

[amgraham]

Do you remember what you paid for your rack? I think they just went up $100 but just checking on an older thread. $995. now

I believe it was $850 before. He mentioned the price increase in another thread and essentially said that he wasn't making any money at $850 and it's hard to run a business with no profit. It still seems like the best rack around and I will be putting in an order soon (even though I'm kicking myself for not getting it in before the increase). It's still very competitively priced and even cheaper than a lot of other popular options (AFAIK only the Prinsu is a bit cheaper).

 

[ajax1]

Best roof rack out there for our trucks. Awesome guy to deal with, and has great dog. Nothing but greatness in my rack and no complaints a year later.

 

[nigelsiam]

I believe it was $850 before. He mentioned the price increase in another thread and essentially said that he wasn't making any money at $850 and it's hard to run a business with no profit. It still seems like the best rack around and I will be putting in an order soon (even though I'm kicking myself for not getting it in before the increase). It's still very competitively priced and even cheaper than a lot of other popular options (AFAIK only the Prinsu is a bit cheaper).

Yeah so I am not tripping...haha.. I thought they were 850. Was going to order back then but they were always out of stock. an almost $150 increase really changes the game even though I know they are pretty good.

 

[mingles]

Best roof rack out there for our trucks. Awesome guy to deal with, and has great dog. Nothing but greatness in my rack and no complaints a year later.

^^^ Agree 100%... and I didn't know about the dog . Now I know I made the right choice .