What is the lowest profile roof rack option?

[rb4638]

I've got a Gamiviti also. Best rack under a grand. I do like the looks of the Prinsu but a little concerned about how difficult it might be to mount a tent. I use a flex ratchet through the sunroof as it is for the front mounts, but the ones in the rear look like you may need some very small hands.

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[RobRed]

Wow there's a stellar review. Why?
Just curious.

Why;

1- This rack squeaks and groans so badly off-road when loaded (heavy tent or gear) it's unbearable.
2- As some may be aware FR changed this racks design, including shorting it by 8 inches. This places the supplied (and inferior) wind deflection device right in the center of the sunroof. At Speed the high pressure air hitting the deflector is directed into the glass roof. This makes using the vent function on the moon roof UNUSABLE. It also pushes on the seals. So bad design element. Oh and my tent sticks over the front of the rack in this "improved" shorter design.
3-FR Customer Service. I contacted them immediately on these issues and was told they would have a fix to return the rack to it's former length within 6 weeks and would follow up. I waited. Waited some more. Waited. Waited. Then I contacted them (6 months had now elapsed) and was told they had an extension to change the rack length... apologies ensued and I was asked to confirm my shipping info and it would be sent right away... next day I get an email asking for $100 more dollars to cover the costs of fixing this racks problems. They couldn't understand why I was insulted. They got all wound up on the measly $100 not understanding it was the straw on an unpleasant experience. I could have given the rack right back to mudrack and been down the road on something else but their reputation for quality followup and their own assurances they would "take care of me", I kept the rack. It's mine now. ugh.

I know some will defend FR and tell me all the good they do blah blah blah... I'm sure it's true. I tried to educate them on customer experience but it occurs to me that the bar is low in our hobby / industry. I've got quite a few FR branded accessories and I'm slowing divesting myself of them as I no longer recommend them.

I did offer to send them a link to the video of me lighting it on fire and crushing in a press. They called me childish. hahaha I've been busy so I haven't destroyed it yet.

 

[savirc]

I'm pretty happy with my Gamiviti. Here's a pic for comparison to other racks posted. It sits about the same height as the factory rack if not slightly lower.

Are you at the San Luis pass by any chance? and are you pulling or getting pulled

 

[LEX]

Are you at the San Luis pass by any chance? and are you pulling or getting pulled

Yup, that was at SLP. I was pulling, but he was in pretty deep.

 

[NWForester]

I did offer to send them a link to the video of me lighting it on fire and crushing in a press. They called me childish. hahaha I've been busy so I haven't destroyed it yet.

When the time comes, I'd appreciate that link as well. Good stuff.

 

[willbt]

I've got a Gamiviti also. Best rack under a grand. I do like the looks of the Prinsu but a little concerned about how difficult it might be to mount a tent. I use a flex ratchet through the sunroof as it is for the front mounts, but the ones in the rear look like you may need some very small hands.

@rb4638
Did you make that fairing or does Gamiviti offer that? It looks good. How is the wind noise?

 

[yeti in ga]

I went with Gamiviti ++ because it was lower and can be run up or down. For those that still want to enter parking decks and your garage this is a great rack. My kids also love the grab rail to climb on top of the truck like little moneys... Find you a used Yakima or Thule fairing off cl , you will need one.

 

[rb4638]

@rb4638
Did you make that fairing or does Gamiviti offer that? It looks good. How is the wind noise?

I made mine using acrylic plastic and halves of electrical ground clamps to mount it. If you don't divert the wind between these bars it will howl like crazy. When I bought mine there was no option for a fairing but I believe Gamiviti now has one that can be used on most,if not all of their racks.


Sent from my iPad

 

[willbt]

I made mine using acrylic plastic and halves of electrical ground clamps to mount it. If you don't divert the wind between these bars it will howl like crazy. When I bought mine there was no option for a fairing but I believe Gamiviti now has one that can be used on most,if not all of their racks.

Very nice! Looks great. I will be getting a Gamiviti for the hundo next year some time and am starting to put together some ideas. Thanks for the reply.

 

[dubitup]

I love my Gamiviti rack. Very nice.

 

[dubitup]

 

[Fuge]

I have a Gobi Stealth and absolutely love it. It is pretty low profile and is fully traversable which makes loading and unloading a breeze. It also has a fairing and there is no wind noise. I haven't noticed an appreciable drop in gas mileage. With stock 31" tires in Normal mode on the AHC, the highest point on the rack is 6'6" off the ground. My carport is very low at 7' so I feel your pain. I plan on going up to 295/75R16 which will add just over an 1" so it will still fit with the rack and 33's.

 

[willbt]

@Fuge
What is the distance from the top of your roof to the highest point on your rack? I've always loved the Gobi Stealth, but I have a sneaking suspicion that my truck wont fit in the garage, which is what has made the Gamiviti so attractive.

 

[nakman]

holy cow Alex your rig is looking sweet man!

yes, Gamiviti offers a fairing option now. also grid floors, mesh floors, few other tricks.. yes, website is terribly outdated, working on that.

But I fit in 7' garage doors easily, and just barely fit in my 8' garage with RTT installed. Will you are welcome to fit check one any time, or come take measurements.

Appreciate all the nice comments, looks like I'm buying at HIH again. Happy Xmas, guys.

 

[dubitup]

Thanks Tim! @nakman
The rack has been amazing, very useful, more so than I originally thought.

Not sure if you saw this but the rig did make @OutdoorX4 magazine! We were pretty stoked to see this when it arrived.

 

[therealdutch]

just got my Baja UTility flat rack on last night. much lower profile than i anticipated.

 

[bodywhomper]

I’m bumping the most recent general-ish thread that I could find on 100-series aftermarket racks. I’m at a bit of a loss sorting through the various racks that I’ve read about on this forum (sorry for the long post).


my wife and I have realized that we need the ability to strap more stuff on our roof for camping trips. The cost of these racks is still making my head explode a little bit, but I’m at a bit of a loss for a more creative and less expensive solution, and I don’t have time (or the skills) to make my own. Our needs include as much coverage on the roof as possible, capacity to hold several hundred pounds, the ability to access the sunroof area to clean out the drains (sunroof doesn’t work), durability, ability to function similar to lumber rack for all purpose hauling long and heavy stuff, compatibility with my old thule box (long and skinny ski carrying type), won’t fall apart when mild trail offroading and loaded with camping gear, rack wind noise. compatibility with my very old thule bike racks (I have thule cross bars wide enough to fit on my old ‘88 4runner and the attachment to work on my factory subi rack – does this matter?) would also be nice. Installation ease to the roof would be nice, too. it’ll be living on the truck, which is parked outdoors, and driven on many dirt roads (I live on a dirt/sand/gravel road). I am fine with removing the existing factory rack.


Based on my searching this forum, the gamiviti and baja racks seem like they might be the best bang for the buck. Is this still true? what are the comparisons to help with decision making? It looks like there are some new brands coming soon, i.e. trail tailor. What’s the deal with those? Are there issues (rust?) with order bare metal other than aesthetics?


We currently don’t have a hi-jack, awning, or lights, but maybe we will someday…. We’re in sierra nevada foothills. I haven’t found anything used (over the past few weeks) in the general area on craigslist.


Thanks in advance

Cheers!

 

[nakman]

Well your research is correct, a Gamiviti would do every one of those functions you list above, including the jack, awning, lights and Thule accessories. The Thule cross bars and Subi towers aren't really going to help, other than you could sell them on CL to offset some of your new rack investment. Shoot me an email and we can nail down specific features, I'd be happy to work up a quote for you with any multitude of mild to wild options for a Gamiviti. sales @ gamiviti.com

With any rack, you want to remove the factory rack and upgrade the towers.. that factory stuff is just in your way and really not up to the future task at hand, particularly when you mention several hundred pounds. And with any rack, you need to either primer/paint it yourself if you get it unfinished, or you need to have it powder coated- really not an option to run it unfinished, yes rust is the issue.

As for decision criteria, your stuff above is a pretty good start. Other adders would be do you want a floor or not, do you want a bar across the sunroof or not, do you have a low clearance issue, and general functionality and compatibility with other aftermarket accessories, and just general appearance- your rack is probably the first thing you'll see every time you walk up to your truck, so my opinion is you should be really stoked with what it looks like. Obviously an opinion and a bit of vanity there, but shoot we're not driving 80 series anymore, no one's bolting up an ATV ramp here.

 

[Get outside]

Go Gamiviti!!!!!!

 

[bodywhomper]

Thanks for the useful input!