My experience is quite similar. Now that my side rails have arrived they don’t fit onto the brackets... the slots on the rail where the brackets slip into are cut too short. All this; after I powder-coated the whole darn thing. Now I have to either cut my brackets or notch the side rail slots a bit bigger. My fault partially for trusting that the rack was cut properly. I actually ordered the GOBI group buy at the SAME TIME and its arriving this month!!! (Have 2x 5th Gens)

BRACKETS are 4 inch wide, the slot opening on the side rails are 3-3/4 inch.
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Can't believe after all this, I've spent pretty much the same amount as the GOBI (including powder coating + hardware minus the ladder); same amount of wait time, and will likely have a better quality product by going with GOBI. It's a gamble I made and loss. Just a fair warning to other potential buyers.

I love the look of this rack, but don't know if I can justify the purchase with all the issues that may come up and the likely addition costs for coating, hardware, etc. Plus, it does not seem as versatile as other racks. About to pull the trigger, but I think I'm going SSO instead.

At this point I can't really recommend the EcoTechne racks to anyone. Great design but too many anecdotes of bad finishing, poor communication, incorrect parts delivered, and logistics nightmares.

Most folks seem happy with their SSO racks, best of luck to you.

I agree. Waited one month for my rack to arrive and when it finally did it was missing the brackets and the tray. Then waited another month for the brackets and tray to find out the rail is for a 5th gen when I specifically asked for a 4th gen. At this point I'm looking into the rocky mountain racks, at least they are in the states.

The simple fact that I can't even get a reply from the OP is reason enough not to join. It's pretty sad that this thread is still going when the OP hasn't posted in almost a year.

Just a quick update. The person that was communicating with me the whole time did send me new brackets, took about a week plus a couple days for it to arrive. But they were still too wide. (to be exact it looks to be 1/16 of an inch too much on one end and 3/16 of an inch on the other.... basically, it doesn't seem like the holes are centered on the bracket... )

My Gobi rack arrived before getting all this sorted out... so I'm going to install that one on.... and tinker with the Ecotechne one when I have time....

Would have been nice if:
- it didn't take 4 months to get here
- the tray didn't have bent corners (where it bolts to the side rails)
- the powder coating didn't flake off
- they packaged it better (missing hardware, or at least what was left.. the bag was ripped, the whole packaging didn't look like a box....it looked like it was dragged on the ground the whole way here)


But they did try. Kinda...

Still considering this rack- has any modified it to add a floor?

Thinking about bolting expanded steel mesh between the crossbars and mounting tabs to create a floor like the Gobi. Maybe using some angle or channel steel for extra support.

Think there may be some challenges I dont yet see without having a rack in hand, so I would love to heard thoughts. Concerns I have are how to bolt it all down with mesh running most of the length (reaching nuts on the bottom) and how much support the mesh needs if not welded (how many cross bars).

Uh, I think your biggest challenge is what's happening in Venezuela right now dude. There aren't going to be any racks coming out for a while.

Ha, yes, I am keeping up on that. I was looking at getting a used rack. I would wait for the country to calm down before ordering new.

Ok just wanted to make sure! Take a look at my install thread for ideas, you might be able to add a floor by drilling through the crossbars and using large washers to sandwich the mesh in between.

My guess is that the floor would be most usable if you cut window-sized pieces and bolted them under the top-hat sections of the crossbar (where I drilled ¼" holes) and the sides as you said. That way the "floor" is mostly flat. If you attach them to the bottoms of the crossbars, you'll be tripping over the bars themselves. The only tough part will be choosing what gauge of expanded mesh to use (I have no idea) and making sure that enough holes line up for you to securely attach them.

Whether you're buying used or new it's my recommendation that the powdercoat is done from scratch. So drill all of your holes first, test fit, then send it out for blasting and coating.

Thanks, I have looked at your thread quite a bit. Gobi uses 9 gauge, so I would likely just consider that to be a good option.

I have removed my rack and will get rid of it on the cheap!

interested. [email protected] hit me up