BajaRack Review

[nfosterma]

Several months ago, I considered the Prinsu Pro rack for transporting my rowing shell when needed, and I created a post for some feedback (https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/prinsu-vs-prinsu-pro.104941/). I received some great information from other members, so I decided to look elsewhere.

After exploring numerous options, I ultimately chose the BajaRacks Roof Rack for my Bronco. My boat is very light, so the BajaRack is overkill for me from a weight-carrying perspective. However, when transporting my 25-foot-long boat, a decent amount of upward force would be pulling on the rack, so I wanted something more sturdy than the OEM one, including multiple attachment points at the rear of the rack.

I've had the BajaRack on my Bronco for nearly three months now, and I've car-topped my boat several times. Here is a summary of what I like, along with other considerations.

Plusses

• BajaRacks took proper care, and it was well packaged for shipment and arrived with no damage
• Installation was straightforward and it took just under two hours to mount it to my Bronco. The rack is heavy, so you'll need a second set of hands to get it on the roof.
• The rack is very strong and stays put
• There is very limited wind noise, likely from the included wind deflector
• Under everyday driving conditions, there has been only a minimal drop in fuel economy (0.2 - 0.3 mpg). As expected, it drops a little more with my boat on the roof
• You can easily remove the front and middle roof panels with the rack installed

Other Considerations

• The rack is big, and it arrives mostly in one piece. It was shipped via common carrier, so the shipping costs from the West Coast to the East Coast were quite steep (I purchased the rack when BajaRacks was offering a 20% discount, which effectively offset the shipping charge.)
• Parking garages can be an issue. I use added crossbars to mount my boat rack, and I measured the highest point at 6'-10.5" on my SAS-equipped Bronco
• Minor thing: the hardware is silver, which stands out against the black paint and dark-colored roof. It would have been nice if they could have sourced black hardware (a minor nitpick here).

Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase. I don't mount rooftop tents, or anything of significant weight on the rack, so I might have gone overboard compared to other options. However, my boat was a significant investment, so I have peace of mind knowing that I can safely transport it down the road, including at highway speeds. Plus, I like the look of it.

Here are a few pictures that I took earlier this spring, including one showing it parked in a downtown Boston parking garage. I can add other pictures if helpful.

https://bajarack.com/collections/fo...nco-roof-rack-4-door-hard-top-standard-basket

Sponsored

 

[DaddyO]

Nice rack Just wondering if you had an opportunity to purchase a Gobi rack for the same price as this one, new, what would you do?

 

[11811]

Putting a boat on a car like that can't be street legal.

 

[JustWideman]

Yours is bigger then mine ...

Wouldn't you want it lower to the rack like with something like these?
https://www.etrailer.com/Watersport...qE9fUegwd4DuVfZE3g27xzTM0ksAeoGcaAiNDEALw_wcB

I've seen those on Sprinter van roofs but not on a Bronco before, that is quite long down the road.

 

[SeptuagenerianSasquatch]

As high as that is, I'd still put a bright orangy-red flag on both ends.
And a reasonably conspicuous light(s) at night.
(Required in Massachusetts.)

 

[nfosterma]

As high as that is, I'd still put a bright orangy-red flag on both ends.
And a reasonably conspicuous light(s) at night.
(Required in Massachusetts.)

Thanks. I have two flags on the back, but none on the front, but I could add one. I cheated the overhang slightly backward in the front, so I'm probably one foot over the overhang limit on the rear.

 

[nfosterma]

Nice rack . Just wondering if you had an opportunity to purchase a Gobi rack for the same price as this one, new, what would you do?

Thank you. Personally, I'm not a fan of the look of the Gobi racks; the exoskeleton look doesn't appeal to me.

 

[bigblackbronco]

Yours is bigger then mine ...

Wouldn't you want it lower to the rack like with something like these?
https://www.etrailer.com/Watersport...qE9fUegwd4DuVfZE3g27xzTM0ksAeoGcaAiNDEALw_wcB

I've seen those on Sprinter van roofs but not on a Bronco before, that is quite long down the road.

Which rack is this ?

 

[JustWideman]

Which rack is this ?

Basic Hooke Road, lots of wind noise whistling through the 7 slats

 

[bigblackbronco]

Basic Hooke Road, lots of wind noise whistling through the 7 slats

I was scared of the wind noise .. is it considerably worse than the standard wind noise on the hard top ? Also would you recommend this roof rack for a roof top tent ? I imagine the wind noise is going to be terrible with a tent anyway .. also any tent mounting bracket recommendations would be appreciated

 

[JustWideman]

I was scared of the wind noise .. is it considerably worse than the standard wind noise on the hard top ? Also would you recommend this roof rack for a roof top tent ? I imagine the wind noise is going to be terrible with a tent anyway .. also any tent mounting bracket recommendations would be appreciated

I have not got the rubber liner on, that might be part of the problem. The Chinese instructions it comes with are not great. The rack is 60 lbs already. I do not know anything about tent mounts.

There are some great youtube videos on that and comparing HR racks to others on the market that would be way more qualified to answer those things. I just use it for kayaks and it is fine. Wind noise gets loud after 65mph but I have gotten used to it, I just turn up the tunes.

Sponsored