Hello all. I've got a 2001 XJ Limited with the OEM roof rack and crossbar system. I am considering picking up a Thule or Yakima setup for use with one of their J hook style mounts to hold two kayaks and eventually get a couple bike mounts as well. First, does anyone know what the capacity is for the OEM system? It doesn't seem too sturdy and didn't want to start tossing mounts and boats and all up there. If it is as I suspect, can I remove the OEM crossbars and put aftermarket (Thule or Yakima) mounts and crossbars on? Or do I need to do something on the rain gutters?

Further, we also have a 2015 Grand Cherokee. Is there a kit that we can pull off the XJ and then put onto the WK2? The XJ will be seeing all the action, but if we decide to go on a trip that's further out, we may want to jump in the comfort mobile instead.

I've tried the manufacturer's online tools to figure out what I need, but the results seem a bit generic and I'm not interested in getting the kits to then have to bust out the drill.

REI has a killer sale going on and I've got some coupons to boot. Would love to pick it up today!

Thanks!
Tyler

 

I believe the roof is rated for 200 or 250 lbs of cargo. I'd need to pull out the manual and double check. I've built racks to mount to the stock crossbars in the past and sat up there in a fold out chair as well as had tires and what not mounted up there. Most folks who go for heavy duty use will get racks that mount to the factory rain rails.

 

I have carried 14'-17' sea kayaks, loaded with gear, on my 2001 XJ for 16 years using Yakima crossbars and gutter mounts without problems.
The racks many times have transported 200-300-lbs of lumber at a time.I also have a set of roof bike racks, but can't use them at the same if the boats are loaded.

 

That is considerably more than I anticipated. If that is the case, I think we're just going to grab some Yakima J style mounts for the boats and mount them to the OEM crossbars.

We'll be mounting two 12' boats and we'll toss the gear in the hatch. I'd really like to get the full Yakima system, but I looks like I'll be dropping about $700 just in rack gear. If I can just toss some J hooks on the OEM setup and be in the clear, that's the route we'll go.