Half Rack vs RucRak?

[murrman]

This spring, I’ll be taking a road trip from Ohio to North Carolina with my wife and our niece. We’ll be staying with family, but we’re also planning a “side quest” to the coast to camp on the beach for one night. I know we’ll need something to expand the cargo capacity of my 2-door.

Right now, I’m trying to decide between a half roof rack (likely from TrailRax or Turn Offroad) and the Grunt from RucRak. From an aesthetic standpoint, I definitely prefer the look of a half rack, especially the TrailRax with Pak Rax. From a usability standpoint, though, I’m wondering if the RucRak makes more sense. It seems like it would be much easier to load a cargo tray with supplies and luggage and strap everything down than to do the same on a roof rack.

I’ve never had a platform-style roof rack before. I’m assuming I’d also need some kind of cargo box or carrier to hold the gear, correct? Another thing the RucRak has going for it is the price, especially compared to the TrailRax with Pak Rax.

I’m looking for input from anyone who has used either, or both, of these setups. Which would you recommend? Thanks in advance!

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[Deadpool392]

Unless you think you will use either of those options enough to get your monies worth, I would just get a cargo basket for your hitch. It will support more weight then a rucrak (or the rucrak will require the hitch support) and is a hell of a lot cheaper.

 

[murrman]

Unless you think you will use either of those options enough to get your monies worth, I would just get a cargo basket for your hitch. It will support more weight then a rucrak (or the rucrak will require the hitch support) and is a hell of a lot cheaper.

I did think about that (and it’s still “plan c”). My wife and I do enough camping/travel on our own, though, that we are ok with investing in something we can use long term. She’s pushing more for the roof rack (which surprised me a bit). I just want to make sure that wouldn’t also require us to spend a bunch more money on cargo boxes to attach to the rack.

 

[not on the rug]

I'd personally opt for a full rack and find a nice thule or yakima rack. Check facebook marketplace. You can buy them barely used for a fraction of the price of a new one if you're trying to save money.

For many years I threw a simple hitch carrier on my X5M and then found the appropriately sized Rubbermaid containers and used some ratchet straps for our road trips. If you're stopping for gas, just have someone stay with the car so nobody cuts the straps and steals your bins. If you're stopping for lunch, back into a spot so you can watch your vehicle. When you get to the hotel or house rental, you just unlatch the straps and carry your bins inside. Nice and easy and a fairly cheap option.

For the other mid-sized and large SUVs we've owned, we just threw the thule box on the roof rack. For the Bronco, I went with the Discovery-style rack and I mount the thule up top.

 

[murrman]

I'd personally opt for a full rack and find a nice thule or yakima rack. Check facebook marketplace. You can buy them barely used for a fraction of the price of a new one if you're trying to save money.

For many years I threw a simple hitch carrier on my X5M and then found the appropriately sized Rubbermaid containers and used some ratchet straps for our road trips. If you're stopping for gas, just have someone stay with the car so nobody cuts the straps and steals your bins. If you're stopping for lunch, back into a spot so you can watch your vehicle. When you get to the hotel or house rental, you just unlatch the straps and carry your bins inside. Nice and easy and a fairly cheap option.

For the other mid-sized and large SUVs we've owned, we just threw the thule box on the roof rack. For the Bronco, I went with the Discovery-style rack and I mount the thule up top.

The main reason I haven’t considered a full rack is I have the front top panels off as much as possible in the summer. I don’t want anything that would take away that capability.

 

[not on the rug]

The main reason I haven’t considered a full rack is I have the front top panels off as much as possible in the summer. I don’t want anything that would take away that capability.

Many of the rack options allow for the front panels to be removed.

 

[idontknow]

lots of racks do offer removal of the front two panels….but if you ever want to take the whole thing off…ur taking that rack off with no way to use it. I also personally don’t want to have to pull out a ladder to load things on an off my roof. If you aren’t using a bike carrier a cargo basket would be my option.

there are certainly cheaper options than what I just linked but I have been super pleased with my bike rack from these guys. I’m personally considering this one for myself but currently have managed to fit what I neeed in the inside of my car.

https://1up-usa.com/product/hitch-m...iyUqxx9A2OIVK-U1amepWTfwCKMxeImwaAhNXEALw_wcB

 

[OBXBRONCO]

I definitely prefer a rear cargo rack. I run mine from @X-Rack and a swing out receiver hitch from kuait. Carry a
Lot of stuff with me. Probably too much.

 

[murrman]

I started digging deeper into roof rack options, and I’m intrigued by the JCR one simply because it can convert from a full to a half rack. I can’t find much in terms of user reviews, though. Anyone have any experience with their rack?

 

[TrailRax]

The main reason I haven’t considered a full rack is I have the front top panels off as much as possible in the summer. I don’t want anything that would take away that capability.

With the TrailRax full rack installed, you can still remove the front MIC panels off your 2-door. You can easily mount storage cases like ROAM and Pelican, or just strap down luggage. With the roof rack you would also have the option to mount useful camping upgrades like an awning, spare gas, recovery tools, and more. Let us know if you have any questions about racks!

 

[murrman]

With the TrailRax full rack installed, you can still remove the front MIC panels off your 2-door. You can easily mount storage cases like ROAM and Pelican, or just strap down luggage. With the roof rack you would also have the option to mount useful camping upgrades like an awning, spare gas, recovery tools, and more. Let us know if you have any questions about racks!

How limited are the awning options with the 2-door half rack? I know the length of the rack is approximately 48". Can 60"/5-foot awnings be safely attached, or am I limited to 48"/4-foot awnings with the half rack?

 

[BroncoA512021]

I love my Xrack. Xrack

 

[OBXBRONCO]

I love my Xrack. Xrack

Every time I see your picture it pushes me to pull the trigger on their spare tire rack to go along all my other @X-Rack stuff.

 

[BroncoA512021]

Every time I see your picture it pushes me to pull the trigger on their spare tire rack to go along all my other @X-Rack stuff.

Go for it! I am adding another slide rail for a potty tent this spring.

 

[Baja_bronco]

With the TrailRax full rack installed, you can still remove the front MIC panels off your 2-door. You can easily mount storage cases like ROAM and Pelican, or just strap down luggage. With the roof rack you would also have the option to mount useful camping upgrades like an awning, spare gas, recovery tools, and more. Let us know if you have any questions about racks!

Was just looking at your racks today. Was wanting to integrate my KC light bar. Is this an option?

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