Jackem

The plan is to put a RTT and a 7x8 awning on the top of my 99 XJ

I'm looking at this RTT: https://roofnest.com/product/sparrow-x/

With this awning: http://store.arbusa.com/ARB-Awning-2000-814201-P3656.aspx

I started my search for a roof rack that would put it all together on here. Turned out most roof rack threads have a common theme; gutter mounts are stronger than using the stock crossbars and rails. Some even recommend 4 and 5 gutter mounts per side.
I was set on using the stock rails, even though 99s have short rails to start with, but now I'm looking for racks with gutter mounts.

My second problem is keeping the XJ garageable, I need a rack with as low a profile as possible.

I found this platform rack at Kevins Offroad, which if I added a gutter mount at each corner would be near perfect. Since the site didn't list a phone # or email address, I started a thread on here yesterday asking for recommendations, and haven't heard a peep since. Here's Kevin's roof platform; https://kevinsoffroad.com/collection...form-roof-rack

Another low profile rack, but the basket would need to be removed:
https://www.quadratec.com/products/12037_180X_PG.htm


With the popularity of overloading and RRTs, I'm hoping a forum member has been down this path and is willing to give advice on the rack and hardware choice that will securely hold the parts on the XJ. (without damaging either)

Thanks

aflemke

I used 2 sets of these for my RTT and awning (4 gutter mounts per side).

https://www.prolineracks.com/proline...ter-racks.html

They are inexpensive and using 4 bars made the tent and awning solid. They are also about 2 inches closer to the roof than my yakima gutter mount load bars. I liked the tent riding closer to the roof and the awning easily bolts to the bars.

Jackem

Thanks for the suggestion. I looked through your photos and found a side view with 4 gutter mounts. Your XJ looks good with the RTT and awning, and it's pretty much the set-up I'm working toward.

I"ll do some measuring when I get home and see if those bars will work height wise. Price wise at $140 for two sets, it's almost at the point of sounding too good to be true. No offense, I'm super thankful for the link - it's just that I'm not used to things costing a fraction of what I anticipate.

aflemke

When I bought them four years ago, they were actually only $49.95 a set! Still can't beat $70 for a decent set of load bars.

I am liking the looks of the tent you have posted. My next RTT will be a hard shell style and this one looks like one of the best values I have seen.

XJlimitedx99

What on God's great green earth makes that RTT worth as much as my Jeep? Holy crap.

Per owner's manual, the OEM roof racks are only good for "150 lbs evenly distributed between the two" so that's out of the question.

For the gutter mounts, it will be important to distribute the weight over the largest area possible. 4 mounts probably isn't sufficient, 6 would be better, 8 would be great. I've always had the idea of making mounts that span the length of the gutter with enough legs extending to the rack to best distribute the load.

Jackem

Like your idea, what can I do to encourage you?

The design of this rack, minus the basket, kinda goes along with your idea of full length gutter mounts:
https://www.quadratec.com/products/12037_180X_PG.htm

XJlimitedx99

That actually is where I got the inspiration from. However, I don't think that rack actually mounts along the entire gutter. I think that bar that runs the length is more for protection. Looks like there is still just 6 relatively small feet that extend from the rack to the gutters.

Might be pretty difficult to ship a rack from NH to CO. You might have to get to work and see what you can come up with