I am building my own roof rack and it will be 6ftx4ft. I am wondering the best way to mount it. I see that a ton of members on here are using the gutter mount set up but it doesn't seem strong enough to hold the rack. I was thinking about removing the stock roof rack and use the existing mounts but I have read that the roof really isn't that strong.
I don't know if it is me but it seems like the gutter rails are weak and if I bolted a plate down to the stock rack holes then welded my rack onto that plate that it will spread out the weight more than the gutter mounts
What do you guys think? I know I will have several people say to just do the gutter mounts but how much better are they?

 

I have had an issue with the gutter mounts breaking through the gutters. Mostly from jumps and whoops while carrying the 150 pound loaded rack.
In Australia they have the same issue because of the 1000 mile long washboard roads.
I am looking at a combination mount that will use the factory rails and gutter mounts together.

 

Issues occur when you don't spread the weight out enough. I have 8 gutter mounts holding my rack on and I'd consider that a minimum.

 

Here is an Australian rig with 10...on each side.

 

lol 10 is a lot. Another option is to just weld the rack to the gutter. But if I spread out the weight enough then I should be good either way I go. I feel like using the existing holes in the roof will be good if I just weld the rack to a plate going the whole length of the roof then bolt the plate into the roof

 

My roof rack is custom made and the gutter mounts were purchased from a vendor (heavy duty ones and sold in pairs). I have 4 on each side and use some of the original rack for support. My rack will carry a lot of weight but I do not load much on it. Because I try to keep it from being any more top heavy than it is already.

 

ya. I know there's one spot on my drivers side gutter rail that is loose. They just seem small and weak

 

Don't use just the rail mounts. My rack ripped right off the roof. I was shredding to much gnar.

 

This is a bit on the extreme end but this is what I am getting done to my cherokee.

 

Anyone ever reinforce the gutter? Maybe weld some steel round stock underneath?

 

I was thinking of welding the gutter mounts to the gutter instead of bolting it on like most people do