I remembered that Gobi had been litigious around a design patent, but I didn't want to get into it because design patents are kind of obscure! I personally think that design patents are being abused, case in point Apple being granted a design patent and then being awarded damages for (among other things) a mobile phone with a rectangular shape with a black, reflective surface and rounded corners. (See e.g. $533 Million Apple v. Samsung Verdict Highlights Importance of Design Patents | Wolf Greenfield). The features of a design are supposed to be ornamental and not functional--if they are functional you should be getting your usual utility patent for your invention instead, if you can. Apple should not be able to force other companies to make mobile devices with sharp, pointy corners and only in non-black casings. With Gobi, I have significant doubts about the elements of a roof rack being non-functional. And all the elements described in the patent need to be replicated, which becomes less likely with bigger and more complex designs. (But I express no opinion on this particular rack!)

I dont care if gobi was $600, they will NEVER get a penny from me.

Let's see how well chinesium holds up to abuse haha

What stands out most to me is that Gobi's design or signature "look" isn't original to Gobi. I can go back and find baja bug and other similar era racks with practically identical form to what Gobi is claiming rights to that predate Gobi. I think Gobi's lawyers were violating rules of ethics and professional conduct by threatening a law suit that they either did not research or if they did they should have known that the claims had no merit.

Unfortunately they hired a lawyer to threaten a smaller company and the threat of the cost of litigation was enough to stifle competition. If it were my client - I'd have told Gobi to politely ****-off.

It's a roof rack. Chances are it's going to hold a light bar and possibly a rtt for a few weekends each summer.


I bought a drabbits/camelback metal gear rack 7 years ago or so that was most definitely made from Chinese steel (couple issues with customs IIRC), but it has handled everything from lumber and drywall to my rtt with ease, and the powder coat has actually held up better than anything from hefty or pelfry or metaltech etc.

Aren’t most of those fancy roof top tents made in China anyway?? Dick move from Gobi to sue the little guy, I’ll never buy anything from them just based on the experiences some on here have had.

I agree - I don't think here would be an issue with the build/materials for what it is used for. My issue is the price point isn't very competitive compared to something you can buy made in the states (maybe even the same state you're in) for less... plus if you can get a group of 10 or more you can order them off alibaba for about $350.. I reached out at one point and they were willing to do minimum orders of 5 racks + shipping - ended up being approximately $550 to Colorado.

Car Roof Rack For Toyota 4runner Roof Racks Basket - Buy Car Roof Rack,Roof Rack For Toyota,For Toyota 4runner Product on Alibaba.com

Gobi like

$550 shipped is a tempting price

If you look at the pictures there are two different racks. One is a Gobi like rack and one is an ARB like rack. You'd have to figure out which one it actually is

Exactly why I haven't tried very hard to get a group together on those!

Looks like there is another seller without the knock off ARB rack pictured

Custom Car Roof Rack Cargo Basket For Toyota 4runner 4x4 Cargo Luggage Basket With Rear Ladder - Buy Roof Rack Cargo Basket For 4runner,Roof Cargo Basket,Car Roof Rack With Rear Ladder Product on Alibaba.com

And they sell them by the individual unit! I'd be curious to see what they want for shipping. Looks like you'd want to order this for mounting it up. TOYOTA 4RUNNER TRANSFER KIT - GOBI Racks

That one is listed as being made from aluminum and is described as being used for decoration and to carry luggage. If you're putting it on to look cool and maybe haul around some basic gear it might be OK. I wouldn't put a RTT or large load up there. They show a guy standing on it, but he could be 135lb for all we know.

I wouldn’t trust any description on any of these links in this thread. If I were to order from any one of them, I would know that I would be risking my credit card info floating around in the black market and possibly having to do a charge back on my credit card. Don’t get me wrong, the price is very attractive but I would like to see if anyone else would be willing to order and review it first.