What is the lowest profile roof rack option?

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sonk76

sonk76

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Philadelphia, PA
Is there an aftermarket roof rack option that could handle a roof-top-tent and similar loads, while at the same time keeping the height at or below the factory roof rack height?

I can BARELY fit my truck in my garage with the factory rack (and have to lower it to "L" mode to do so with my ski rack attached to it), so wanted to know if there was a way to have a rack that is lower than the factory? ideally one that would allow me to mount a ski rack at lowest possible level.

Thoughts?
 
I run a Gamiviti Expo rack with the basket facing down. I like it that way for looks and function. I use the face down basket as a handle for climbing in and out of my rig everyday. You can easily run a rooftop tent and other gear with no worries. I know Romer has the same rack and he runs his ARB RTT plus other gear regularly.

I needed the lowest profile rack possible to fit into my garage as well. I will take some roofline pics in the morning, but I just went into the garage and took some measurements...... 3 1/2 inches at the tallest point, which is right in the back. (Gobi is 7" Bajarack is 8" IIRC). I could drop mine down even lower if I needed to.

Gamiviti is owned by Nakman (MUD member) so you know you'll get top shelf support if needed. Gamiviti - roof racks or just shoot Nakman a PM!
 
+1 on the gamiviti. Great design, great customer support, and affordable price :clap:

He also has a version without the front basket.
 
Since we are talking Gamiviti...How does one mount accessories such as an axe, shovel, Hi-Lift, and jerry cans to this rack? A big reason, I am leaning towards the FR is that it keeps with a low profile design while still offering a ton of plug and play mounting adapters.

Maybe Romer can chime in?
 
Gamiviti - roof racks

flatrack_100_3.jpg
 
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Has anyone tried mounting a 50" LED light bar on the Gamiviti racks on the front? It looks like with the basket "reversed" (i.e., facing down), it could offer a nice low-profile install for some extra lighting...

Thanks to everyone for some great suggestions!
 
pfran42 said:
Since we are talking Gamiviti...How does one mount accessories such as an axe, shovel, Hi-Lift, and jerry cans to this rack? A big reason, I am leaning towards the FR is that it keeps with a low profile design while still offering a ton of plug and play mounting adapters.

Maybe Romer can chime in?
Click to expand...

These look like they would work pretty well
http://fourtreks.com/roll_bar.html
 
And a few more....

I made the wind fairing for $13.26 out of 52 inches of ABS plastic, cut to fit with a Dremel. The 50" aftermarket ones are $70+! A fairing is needed with the Expo run upside down, it howls like a banshee without it.
IMGP0549.webp
IMGP0553.webp
IMGP0555.webp
 
I'm glad there's such a selection of roof baskets. That Gobi looks awesome. My soon-to-be-traded-up-to-a-Hundy Pajero is 6'10" with the JAOS roof basket. Makes for some PITA situations in the city here. In-laws' parkade, a few malls, downtown underground... all offlimits for cargo-carrying Japanese awesomeness. Not as awesome as a LC of course. LOL.
paj1.jpg
 
paflytyer said:
And a few more....

I made the wind fairing for $13.26 out of 52 inches of ABS plastic, cut to fit with a Dremel. The 50" aftermarket ones are $70+! A fairing is needed with the Expo run upside down, it howls like a banshee without it.
Click to expand...

looks great. Thanks for the pics and measurements.

How was the wind noise without the fairing ? How much did the fairing help?
 
nakman said:
Stan nice work on the fairing, man, that thing looks awesome! And you and I are both driving in and out of standard 7' garage doors.. :cool:
Click to expand...

Fairing 2.0 is in the works! Almost zero noise with this one, but I've got a better idea......

Sonk, a 50" LED would fit across the front. There are 4 light bar tabs, but I don't know how they would match up with with the light bars mounting brackets? Maybe nakman can confirm. I can measure spacing if you need.
 
sonk76 said:
looks great. Thanks for the pics and measurements.

How was the wind noise without the fairing ? How much did the fairing help?
Click to expand...

Wind noise was almost unbearable. You couldn't hold a conversation with the windows down on the highway. After the fairing, it's almost not even noticeable....... it really made that much of a difference.
 
paflytyer said:
Here's spme pics of the upside down Expo.
Click to expand...


Is it hard to secure items to that rack with so much spacing inbetween the cross bars?
 
no-pistons said:
Is it hard to secure items to that rack with so much spacing inbetween the cross bars?
Click to expand...

That was my biggest concern at first. I wanted more cross bars for smaller stuff. But, I've found that the things I strap down are not that small anyway. Camping gear, water containers, firewood and a small camping grill all fit fine.

I'm playing with the idea of have a buddy weld some steel mesh on the front 2 feet of rack so I can strap down our wet boots and fishing gear when we're coming off the river.

And yes... those are in fact zip ties (heavy duty). Just temporary while I'm working on brackets and a new fairing.
 
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