2012-JKU-Brad

I have been doing some research on the roof racks that Thule and Yakima have that utilize a track mounted to the top of a hardtop. A lot of people seem to like them but I cant find a solid answer on how much weight this style rack can hold. I am wanting to haul a kayak(50-100lbs) and need to know if this style rack will be up to the challenge.

SO I am asking for people who have this rack system to share

-what rack you have?
-what you haul?
-how much does it weight?(ex:weight of what you haul)
-how long have you used it?
-have you experienced any damage? leaks? strain on hardtop?

I know there isn't a defined answer to this question but I hoping that I can draw a conclusion from everyone's experience.

This is what I am looking at buying
http://www.amazon.com/Yakima-54-Inch.../dp/B003EMCB3A

saharaharry

I had the Thule Rack. The load cap. was 150lbs. If I remember right, it should list cap. on the base(foot) of the crossrails.

Jahamm88

One of the first to dos on my ride was to get a rack on it and i went rhino rack Backbone. It was a bit more expensive but it looks close to factory and has a ridiculous load rating. i can comfortably stand in a roof basket mounted to the bars, and have moved 2x4s and a boxed crib from babys-R-us on it...not something id feel comfortable doing on those simple track racks. their site states they can support 264 LBS... not sure if that is per crossbar/base or what.

Riptide9

I run those 48" on both of our Jeeps and carry 100lbs+ with no issue at all.

2012-JKU-Brad

Thank you for the feedback. I haven't seen the 150lbs load rating.

I was more wondering about how much abuse the hardtop can take.

Heeper

I have been using a Yakima rook rack for past 6 years, carrying canoes weighing 60 to as much as 80 lbs. I don't have the track setup, I have what are called 4 footprints mounted through the hardtop.

I have had absolutely no issues with cracking or water leakage, even when carrying a canoe several thousand miles.

I use my rack several times a week in the spring/summer/fall months carrying a canoe down to the local lake in addition to the occasional long road trip, again no issues at all.

2012-JKU-Brad

Thank you Heeper! That's exactly the type of experience I was hoping to hear. Does anyone else have experienced like that?