I have the same rack and it leaks like a sieve. There are huge gaps and water just flows right in. Others I’ve talked to have the same problem. Mine had the wrong hardware when I ordered too. Customer service was slow and had basically zero knowledge of their own products. I would have to send them screenshots of the instruction manuals with parts circled then wait days for a response then more shots and more days then part numbers again then pics of the Jeep etc. after a month and some change, finally got the parts.
We eliminate a lot of roof rack noise by coiling a cord around the leading bar of the rack. It's worked on every style of rack that made noise. One rack we had, the manufacturer welded a wire coiled around the leading bar. Rack noise has a lot to do with position on the vehicle, but coiling something around the bar that hits the wind has worked for us every time.
Man I love this comprehensive review of this roof rack system. I have been building my JK rig for 3 years and finally have everything dialed in, with the last purchase being roof rack system and tent. I've been watching this system for years now, with hopes of finding a long term review. So glad you've provided one. Thank you and keep it up shipmate!
@@TrailRecon I would have to agree with your comment regarding swapping the 3 bar system with the Pioneer platform. My platform was a PITA to reach under and made connecting things with bolts under them really tough. The "heavy duty" 3 bar system is much nicer, but you must get the wind fairing for noise.
Hey Brad have you heard of eliminating the rails on the bottom of your tent, drilling 6 new holes, 3 down each side at 36" apart( the space between the rails on the pioneer platform), then using some unistrut nuts with the springs broken off slid inside the channel, then bolts through the inside to mount it down? This is how I have mine and it has stayed rock solid. You've been a valuable resource since I got my 2015 JKU, never steered me wrong. Thanks for all the hard work you put into this.
Great Review Brad, I’ve had this rack for about four years now... it was a little over my budget, but i went for it no regrets. I had a rooftop tent on there and agree what a pain to bolt it down... Tent is gone now i decided to put that on a trailer. It now holds my 100watt solar panel, lights, shovel, Rhino Rack Dry Bag (for bulky coats, chairs, firewood, stuff to keep dry) and my Max Tracks. I never had the bolts coming loose issue but i did use Locktite when i installed the Platform. I highly recommend this Rack.
Brad: if i am not wrong, you can still add crossbars on top of the platform (as if they were an accessory). It doesn’t have to be either the platform only or the crossbars only.
Brad, thank you so much for taking the time to post these videos. You’re install video of the Rhino Rack was the encouragement I needed to install one on my 2020 JLU Rubicon. I could hear voice in my head when I drilled my first hole! Thanks for motivating me to take on projects that make my Jeep mine!
Thanks Master Chief. While researching roof racks I was surprised how few would only list one weight and not state which weight it was. I was also surprised by the ones who did only had a 500 lbs static weight limit. Needless to say this Rhino Rack was at the top of my list but with several questions. Between your install video and this video you answered almost all my questions. Also, thank you for taking time to answer questions in the comments. I kept reading and found your answers to others that answered my remaining questions. So a big Thank You.
I bought the Rhino platform after I saw your original video. We've now gotten a RoofNest hard shell and I have to see if I can figure out how to get that mounted on the Rhino. Maybe I'll be drilling. Thanks for that bit of information.
Brad, I had the bolts holding my Rhino down come loose on a long trip to Ontario. I was so lucky I could fix while my tent was up there. I heard a funny rattle that made me check. I talked to RhinoRack and then switched to a different bolt and also used some Loctite. That’s a bad feeling when you know you’ve got a good bit of gear up there.
Which loctite did you use. I just check mine before a trip and they were a little loose. So I took them out and put red one, but im a little scare that will be an overkill
I loved the way it looked without the risers, a very attractive platform rack. I really think they should make some T-channel connectors to hold tent rails down so you can keep it low for daily driving. The lights are a great addition and the risers are ultimately not that big of a deal, but at that price point I’m kinda expecting T-channel accessories for the tent mounting. All around a great looking platform without being a basket, which I’m not a huge fan of on a Wrangler, and I like that it doesn’t cover the Freedom Tops like the external frame racks because I live in California like you.
Unistrut nuts with the springs broken off will slide right into the T channel, just have to drill some new mount holes in the tent and eliminate the rails.
Frontrunner quick release tent mounts work on this rack. I laid out the base of the tent to the spacing of the slats and mounted the pucks to it. Went to the hardware store picked up some carraige bolts for the rack. So I was able to keep the low profile feet. Also got the rhino rack eye bolt kit so when I ground tent instead of rtt I can use that space. I do really like this rack. I'm with you Brad. I didn't like the exoskeleton type rack.
Yup.....thanks Brad, I run the 3 rhino bars on my JK and I checked them this morning. All 6 hex screws were lose I got at least half a turn on all of them as well as the bolts holding the bars onto the mounts....well done.
I had the same issue with the roof rack leg bolts rattling out on a desert trip. Lost 4 of the bolts, caught in in time and luckily had some spares. I think it is possible to tap some additional holes in the roof pads and have 3 bolts in each leg, this is something I may do in the further.
Brad I have the same rack and the old smittybilt RTT you had. I used the slots to mount my tent with 3/8" strut channel spring nuts from home depot, and just drilled new holes in my floor of the RTT. Did not have to use the extra hardware so tent floor mounts directly to roofrack. Alleviates the need for squeezing you hand under the rack all together. So far its held up through trips to the Alpine loop in Colorado, multiple mountain passes and forest roads, and 20 nights of camping.
I bought this setup a few months ago and love the look, but there are some BIG cons that nobody talks about. Unless you’re installing a RR accessory, then there’s a 50% chance you’ll need jimmy rig it to make it work (ski rack, kayak rack, etc. even with RR accessory bars). It can be sooo loud on the highway!! Our highway is 80 mph and we have to yell to hear each other. Not fun for road trips. The RR wind fairing is awful and not helpful. I actually installed a Front Runner wind fairing today and I think it should be a major improvement. Hoping it will all work out once I’ve found a solution for everything, but nothing about this rack is easy. I would have done the crossbars as well.
Thanks for the review! I had a Gobi stealth and replaced it with the Backbone bases and a custom 80/20 aluminum solar panel rack - much lower and much much lighter. Love the Backbone base system! I agree with your criticism of the small bolts - locktited mine as well.
I'm glad I found this video. Very helpful. I wanted a roof rack with crossbars, like you mention, for my JK. I am mainly looking to add an awning for when we go to the beach, concert tailgating, etc. Rhino Rack also make a system that you install rails and then the crossbars. It is a little more discreet but of course it has a much lower weight rating. Likely Rhino Rack does publish the ratings and 48lbs is the in-motion load. For a lightweight side or batwing awning I think that would be perfect.
When Gobi said it would be 16 weeks I nearly choked and thought seriously about the Rhino. Instead I waited and think it was worth it, the Gobi really meets my needs. As a side note, watching your awesome videos on a full sized video monitor is SO AWESOME. It's like watching an adventure movie every time.
Wow, that was a very comprehensive review. You made a VERY good point about static versus dynamic weight. Having an aeronautical background, we talk about it all the time, but in the Jeep world, it may not be considered that often. With that being said, the rack is impressive, but I think Marco's Gobi setup would better suit my plans and be more futureproof for me.
This answered a couple of questions I asked in your initial install of the Rhino Rack and the Smittybuilt Overland Tent and one year review, so glad you are always doing follow up reviews on things you installed several years back. The "yes I would buy it again says a lot. Thanks for the feed back on the Rhino Rack and the rooftop tent you mounted on it. Your videos are really making it much easier for me to make decisions on different accessories for the Jeep! Thanks again for the informative videos!
Guess one other commentator stated this, but when my FSR odyssey comes, I'm thinking unistrut nuts that fit the channels, re locate holes in bottom of the tent for a flush mount. I saw a video on a smittybilt tent installed this way. Also, use butyl TAPE around the holes, very easy to work with, water tight, no mess.
Finally pulled the plug and installed the pioneer platform + backbone on my JL, and I have to admit that the fitting between the platform and the jeep with 1 bolt feels kind of sloppy... in fact the front left thread in the nut was not that great and had to use a longer bolt to make it fit. After it was all done, it feels very solid... It was a lot of work though, it took its good 4 hours to get the backbone installed, (with breaks), and another 3 hours to get the platform assembled and in place. Thanks Brad for this video, it was really helpful... Now, to the roof tent!
Agree 100% on the disappointment with the single bolt connecting the legs to the backbone. That seemed like a serious design flaw when I installed mine.
Great review. And so true, each rack and RTT offer compatability issues. There is a certain degree of DIY involved in mounting anything to a rack it seems. What's next? Soft top and a trailer? So many choices 😊
Brad, I have the same rack system on my 2018 JL Rubicon. However, one of the small bolts that screws through the u-shaped rubber bracket to the platform, came loose (you had THREE come loose!). The lock nut that is glued to the inside of the platform separated and I couldn't screw it back to secure the u-shaped rubber bracket. Rhino sent me a whole kit, when all I needed was a new platform bracket. YOU'RE RIGHT! Rhino needs to redesign this so it is bolted better to the platform. I can't believe these six little bolts secure the rack and hold the weight. I have a roof top tent and if those bolts come loose, I'll need to remove the tent to tighten. What a nightmare. I thought there would be better engineering for these parts.
If you just mount your tent on the low profile crossbars, rather than a platform, you don't need to take the tent off the cross bars, you can remove the crossbars and tent together by removing the 6 bolts you spoke of, much easier than all the tent brackets.
The problem you cited re the single bolt per mount point isn't just for the Wrangler. We have a Grand Cherokee Trailhawk with the same Rhino Rack platform and we lost a bolt entirely and had two loose when on the road leading to Racetrack Playa in Death Valley National Park. We had to secure one point with a ratchet strap for the remainder of the backcountry trip. These definitely need locktite in order to address the design flaw.
Updating my post. I ended up going with the Rhino-Rack Backbone system with the taller legs and Vortex crossbars. The iKamper Skycamp Mini that I bought will mount on the front two crossbars. I hope to find a way to mount my shovel/axe/hi-lift to the rear crossbar. Thanks as always for all your great videos.
Great review Brad. Very thorough, thanks for taking the time to put it all together. Interesting solution to go cross bars instead of platform if you are running a rooftop tent only… I bet that’s something a lot of people don’t think about and one additional advantage is that, in the summertime, if you wanted to run a bike rack it would be easy to mount one on there. And in the winter time, you could easily attach a ski rack. Might make it nice and versatile for the weekend adventurer.
Great review. I bought and installed the exact same system because of your original video. I love mine. I honestly haven't noticed much increase in wind noise. And, Like you, I thought the 1 small screw per mounting point was a little underkill, but i haven't had any issues after a year of use, so I can't actually complain about it. thanks for the work you put into your videos!
Welp....this wasn't exactly what I call an easy install but I did get it done with the help of my 5'0ft tall girlfriend and 65 year old father. Hardest part was aligning the rack to the brackets that were fixed on the jeep. Took about 10-11 hours on and off over the course of the past 6 months assembling the smaller parts here and there.The actual drilling wasn't as bad I as was expecting but the alignment was really finicky and there is not a lot of room between the roof and the actual rack to ratchet things into place. Overall, a big pain in the ass to install, but I am happy with how it looks, and it feels really sturdy on the roof. I have an office job for a living so I'd imagine someone more handy would have an easier time than I did. I did install the actual rack while the rack was still on the sawhorses which made the roof extremely heavy. The alternative would not have been any better as playing around with the alignment with the rack on the jeep would have added to the complexity.
I was excited to get this rack system, I thought it was great until I started putting it all together, now I feel like it is a big waste of money. The rack is attached to the backbone system with 6 tiny M6 screws!?!? And through 6 flimsy plastic parts!?! Not only that the threads in the 1 tiny M6 screw hole in the 6 exterior pieces of the backbone are almost all garbage. Out of the 6 pieces I managed to get 2 cleaned up but even then they have maybe 3 threads... The other 4 pieces I'll need to drill them out larger and tap new threads in them. But the material is so thin you'll be lucky to get more than 2 threads in them!? Incredibly disappointed and I did a ton of research on this and I'm amazed there were not more similar issues... Complete fail.
I agree with you on the cross bars instead of the Platform. Would have been much easier with installing the RTT. I ended up cutting the RTT mounting bars and running them the other direction (side to side) to fit in the platform. Of course I first checked with the Roam guys first and they said it would be ok. Now I’m getting a creaking noise from the passenger side. I wonder if my bolts are loose like you seen. Will have to check. Thanks for the review.
Great review Brad! A tip for editing: digitally zooming on the cuts like you did on this video is great for avoiding jumpy looking cuts, but it looks way better when the subject (or subjects eyes) stay in the same spot on the screen. So still zooming in or out in the cut but keeping the eyes in the same place. Just a tip and I know you didn’t ask for it but just want to be helpful. Thanks for all the awesome vids over the years 🤙🏻
Great review Brad! I’ve been thinking about one for a RTT on Lucy my 2dr and really appreciate the feedback about the rails vs. the platform. Also good to know that there’s no leakage!
Great review! I’ve been following your builds for years are I think you’ve finally convinced me to spring for the pioneer rack. Thanks for always putting out great content.
Great info, as always. Thanks Brad! Have you tried mounting your tent using the T-slots, with screws through the floor board of the tent? ...may have to drill holes through the tent floor to match the spacing of the Pioneer rack T-slots. I wonder if that would make mounting the tent easier or harder.
Now Rhino-Rack just needs to release a version for the 2dr Wrangler. But unfortunately they tell me that they have no plans to develop it. This is annoying, since no other heavy-weight rack systems are nearly as elegant.
... sorry, system crash... not to mention you you've tested them all for us - thank you!! Trying to find your video where you actually install the rhino backbone rack, but can't find it on your site. Can you reply with link to it? Thanks again!
Great to hear you still like the Rhino rack. I literally just completed the installation of my own Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform today (on my JLU). Was worried there, for a moment... ;) After completing the install, I had similar concerns about the 6 thin bolts and the plastic piece attaching the platform to the legs. Especially since the platform, the backbone, and the legs were all super sturdy, this flimsy connection seemed like a disappointing contrast. I didn't use loctite, so I'll plan on adding some of this. Thanks for the tip! I also have a Roofnest in my garage that I ordered on Black Friday. That'll go up next - I guess I might have to drill as well. I do love the versatility of the Pioneer platform (I bought Rotopax mounts, Hi-lift jack mount, etc.). But in reality, I'd likely want to use all those accessories at the same time as my RTT, so would have to look for a different mounting option anyway, since they don't all fit on the platform. In the end, the platform might not be as useful as I initially thought, and the Vortex bars might have been a better option...
@@TrailRecon Were those the only bolts that have come loose over the years? E.g. what about the ones on the actual platform or those that mount the legs to the platform? Did you ever need to retighten or apply loctite to any of these?
Great review as always. Zip ties? I love it you just enforced your "real" credentials. Your channel is on the top of my subscription list, always love your stuff.
You should probably check out the new pioneer platform, it’s a lot better looking and has more channels for your accessories, so you won’t have to have your light bar zip tied up there👌🏼
i want a gobi i like the bulky look to the external racks but thats way to rich for my blood im looking at getting the trailfx one thats only gonna have a tent on top like a weekend or 2 a month lol
I hope yours arrives in less than 8 months. That is how it took for them to make and ship one to a friend. The rack seems great but they have the well deserved reputation for horrible customer service.
I've had a gobi on my tj since 2012, price was the exactly the same as it is today (I just checked). It's one of the best purchases i've made and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. you won't be disappointed. Mine arrived in 5-6 weeks.
Great review Brad, I’ll be putting a rack for a tent on early this year and have been back and forth on the Rhino Rack or Gobi, really like the profile of the Rhino rack. Good to know that you buy one again if you were looking for one.
If you're taking that rack off I know a guy who could use it (cough cough). I'll even come get it and let you and Marco help install it. But only if Marco makes lunch.😀😀😀😀😀😀
Has anyone used the Maximus mounting brackets vs the Backbone system? Debating between the two and can't decide. My top is color-matched tan to the Jeep so I am not a huge fan of the look of the 6 brackets that get installed with the Backbone, but it does seem much easier to remove than the Maximus.
hey guys been watching brad here for over a year and i broke down and bought a 4x4, more specifically a 2000 s10 zr2. now im having a problem finding 4x4 clubs in my area and i dont want to go out by myself and to be honest my back yard cant tak much more lol. anyone in an active club in my area (Conroe, Texas) would be awesome. im still working on getting the trucks 4x4 working reliably. 4-lo works but i have no 4-hi. anyway if anyone has any news lemme know. also TrailRecon love the videos keep em coming!
It looks like you drilled a small hole in the back of your hardtop above the window to get wiring up to your roof rack. Are you happy with that solution? Anything you would do differently? Is that what you did on your new diesel as well?
I’m not sure how I ran across your videos but I do enjoy them and I am going to keep on watching. I found LItebright through you and then they mentioned TrailRecon in one of theirs. Excellent channels and I’m hooked. Hopefully you guys make it East and try out some places out here like Windrock and whatever else you can get into.
Great Video and thanks for sharing your experience with the rack. Hard to tell from the videos--how much does the pioneer platform overhang the freedom panels? Does it block out a lot of the light you get when they are off and would it support a bestop sunrider? I have a JLU and am looking for my 2nd rack and thinking of this. I'm wondering if you could get the 60" (vs 72) pioneer platform to fit on top of the backbone system.
DS - What did you end up going with? I'm wondering the same thing. I love the backbone system for the additional support. I'm debating between this rack and a small trailer. I just sold my VW Golf (Thule Aeroblade rack, kayak racks, cargo box, ski racks, bike racks, ec.), and I'm finding that it was easier to haul gear with my Golf than it is with a Jeep (at least for now, I'm sure I'll figure it out). I only have a JL, so my roof top space is even smaller than yours. I really don't like the look of the tiny platform on the back of the Jeep, and I'd definitely rather have something that comes further forward. I was considering rain gutter racks that could easily come off if I wanted to use my Freedom panels, but they just don't seem like they'd support very much (two Kayaks would definitely be pushing it, even if it was a short trip down to the lake). Curious if you tried an oversized panel. I'm still working on paying down the Jeep a little more before I start putting holes in it, but I'd imagine I'll probably buy a rack in the next three or four months. Thanks!
Love your channel, keep up the good work. I'm looking to add a GoFastCamper to my 2109 Raptor in 2021. Let's see you review one, any of your wheeling buddies run one?
@@TrailRecon I'm pretty sold on the minimalist design but the more reviews I get to see the better👍 if you dont get one I'll make a review when I pick mine up.
Great videos always, thanks. One question, flat rack vs basket rack, to carry camping gear and sports gear, no roof tent plans. What should I go for? Thanks!
Just finished installing my backbone system. Thanks a bunch for the install and long term review of the system. I see what you mean about the mounting of the leg bases to the 6 brackets. Did you ever look at how much that the bolts stick out from the bottom of the leg bases. It's 3/16" . Each bolt goes into the bracket 3/16". Looks like a recipe to launch my kayaks down the road. Which Loctite did you use red or blue and are you having any further problems? Roy W
Would you happen to know if anyone has used the rhino rack backbone setup on a JK hardtop that has a GenRight Cage. I looked on the install instructions and it looks like it needs to connect to the factory B pillar.
Just found this video - thanks for the detailed review! Question - since the rack is bolted in, can I use it to lift the roof off? I have a ceiling hoist and it seems with the bolts that it might work...
I like the hood decal! Awesome long term review on the roof rack! Looking forward to seeing what you have in the future planned for the top of your Jeep!
LOVE all of your reviews and Jeep adventures! Soon-to-be retired Army guy with a 2011 JK 4 Dr Rubicon, and you've given me SO many ideas... not yg d d y y
Would you have any time to measure the spacing between the slats? I am trying to see if a Thule cargo box will fit between the slats using Rhino Rack's Pioneer Platform Accessory Bar.
