Advisory: Baja Racks

[jimster716]

I emailed them yesterday morning just to inquire about lead times for a rack and to install in their parking lot (which I read is common). Haven't heard a peep, they're either busy or based on your experience, they aren't very responsive. Maybe I'll just bite the bullet on a Gobi.

 

[loafer]

this is exactly why I am in the planning stages for a roof rack that's is built by me . I would loose my mind if that happened to my truck. As someone said it is made in Mexico , I really don't think it matters where it is made . It's all in the engineering.If you don't know whats it is supposed to look like when its built right then your screwed, like Joe public. Most people don't have a clue ,because we been looking at crap built to break for years ...mass manufacturing.... Just get it right the first time.Never ask anybody to do something that you should have done yourself. I know everybody cant build their own stuff , but why does everything have to go to shit , it just so annoying. I like building things but sometimes it would be nice to know that your hard earned dollars , just are not being pissed down the drain:sniper::sniper::sniper:

 

[Keith_PDX]

I did a fair amount of research in various forums and called Baja to ask questions about using it for a RTT. There are plenty of people doing it and Baja stated there were no issues at all with my planned setup and I am well within the weight limits of the rack. If you look at other pictures in my build thread you will see its pretty centered between the feet. I have 1/4" of clearance between the ladder and tent. It's as far back as it can go. I don't think it's a weight issue. I think its horrible quality control and a bad rack.

What do I expect from Baja? Good question. I really just wanted their input and opinion. Fixing the damage would surpass the cost of the rack. There's zero chance of installing this portion incorrectly so it's clearly a manufacturer defect. They should just refund my money at a minimum. If it was my product, that's what I would offer my customer.

The problem is that nearly any other rack is going to leave that area exposed and constantly visible, which would piss me off every time I looked at it.

If I had it to do over again I would go with the K9 from Equipt. I'd install their long rails and add some nutsert attachment points up front. I'd use 4 feet on each side with their 2.2m base. I've seen this in person and its far superior and stronger. Definitely disperses the weight better.

Again, my intent is to educate the future consumer population and hopefully save good people from spending their hard earned money in the wrong place.

 

[el_kab0ng]

Wait a minute here...

This rack has been installed for a year and the only thing mounted to it was a James Baroud tent that weigh's 130lbs, a Fiamma awning that is mounted with the Baja brackets that weigh's 19lbs. The combined weight of the two people sleeping in the tent is 270lbs.

Let's break this down a bit by playing devil's advocate..

1. The standard basket BR weighs in at 65lbs.
2. You put a RTT on it which weighed 130lbs.
3. You put an awning on it which weighs 19lbs.
4. The combined weight of both people is 270lbs.

If we add up all that static weight, you're looking at almost 500lbs load on the roof. Standard OEM roof loads are only 150lbs.

With a rack, that raises it up to 300lbs, but only with even weight distribution. You've exceeded the maximums by almost 200lbs and you want BR to be responsible for dents in your roof? I'm a little confused as to how you came to that conclusion, to be honest. If I were BR, I'd point back to the manufacturers "when used correctly the rack has a max limit of 300lbs" and put it back on the owner.

 

[Keith_PDX]

Wait a minute here...



Let's break this down a bit by playing devil's advocate..

1. The standard basket BR weighs in at 65lbs.
2. You put a RTT on it which weighed 130lbs.
3. You put an awning on it which weighs 19lbs.
4. The combined weight of both people is 270lbs.

If we add up all that static weight, you're looking at almost 500lbs load on the roof. Standard OEM roof loads are only 150lbs.

With a rack, that raises it up to 300lbs, but only with even weight distribution. You've exceeded the maximums by almost 200lbs and you want BR to be responsible for dents in your roof? I'm a little confused as to how you came to that conclusion, to be honest. If I were BR, I'd point back to the manufacturers "when used correctly the rack has a max limit of 300lbs" and put it back on the owner.

Let me fill in your logic, engineering and mathematical gaps and help your "thinking" process. I will let [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] explain the difference between static and dynamic weight ratings to you if self initiated Google or the free clues below don't fill that gap for you first. From Baja's website "Load Capacity: Dynamic (while driving) 300Lb (136 kg); Static 600Lb (272 kg)". Load capacities of the rack do not include the 80lbs of the rack itself. Although I have tried several times to occupy the tent while I drive (free hint on the word "dynamic"), I have not been able to succeed. Thus the dynamic state of the setup is approximately 160lbs at best with the bedding and whatnot inside the closed tent. When were parked and occupying the tent (free hint on the word "static") the load on the rack is at most 460lbs with people and personal affects.

The factory rack rating has nothing to do with the rating of the roof, which no one publicly knows that I have been able to find.

Specifications can be found here: Baja Rack: racks_list_inside

 

[DesertCanyons]

Baja Rack dents roof

Keith,
I'm surprised so many people gave you static about this thread. The forum is not being dynamic. :repuke:

All kidding aside, I am sorry to see the dents on your roof. I wondered about this when I put my new Baja Rack on my 4Runner this past Sunday. I think your 1/4" aluminum or steel plate may be the answer. It gives the rack a larger bearing area. I filled this space with closed cell foam because it will easily catch dirt and rainwater. I don't want to find 1/4" of dirt in the track some day.

I ordered a custom rack without the Xm Sirus radio antenna loop cut out. I wanted a stronger rack and I think I got it. It barely touched the antenna so I added 1/4" shims to the tops of the 4 brackets in order to raise the whole thing up so it would clear. Now it's about 1/8" off the antenna. I used a 1/4" neoprene rubber sheet and cut the shims to fit over the plate on top of the bracket. I made a punch out of copper pipe to cut the holes. I think with the 1/4" plate you made you could add 1/4" of neoprene cut to be slightly larger than the bracket foot and re-install the foot over both shims. The neoprene could deform and spread the load. Is the roof track any stronger than the roof body?

I didn't like how the front feet rest on the roof so I cut a shim to fit much wider than the steel foot and stuck the 3M tape that came on the front feet to the neoprene. It spread the load and let the foot rest flat and stable, not half way on the roof top strip and half on the sheet metal. It will probably deform a bit over time and I will have to readjust the height of the front feet so the wind deflector clears the roof.

Good luck with Baja Rack. It's harder to return the rack than it is to fix it, I think.

 

[Engineer]

Thanks for sharing, I hope they end up getting back to you, even if its to say take a hike at least they would have communicated. It would do them well to try and clarify if this is a one off issue with your rack as to set others minds at ease.

You are being reasonable and I think if it turns out to be a issue with the rack itself (appears to be) that refunding you the cost of the rack is good solution. If I owned the business I would be thrilled that is all you asked and not for body work.

For what its worth for others , and I have posted this in previous Gobi threads. I ran into customer service issues with them as well. During purchasing everything was smooth and communications were generally within a day or two but after I received the rack I had an issue with my ladder and the top bracket was bent and would not install without being bent back. While I ended up doing this myself I was trying to confirm with them/get there input as had I popped the powder coat off etc I would have liked there "assurance" they would help cover fixing that but as they never responded I wasn't even able to bring that up.

It does seem like communication with almost all the rack vendors is spotty Gobi, Baja, Drabits not sure about K9 or Prinsu (sp?)

Good luck and maybe try one more e-mail with this thread linked? Might help to elevate the issue.?

 

[Keith_PDX]

Keith,
I ordered a custom rack without the Xm Sirus radio antenna loop cut out. I wanted a stronger rack and I think I got it. It barely touched the antenna so I added 1/4" shims to the tops of the 4 brackets in order to raise the whole thing up so it would clear. Now it's about 1/8" off the antenna. I used a 1/4" neoprene rubber sheet and cut the shims to fit over the plate on top of the bracket. I made a punch out of copper pipe to cut the holes. I think with the 1/4" plate you made you could add 1/4" of neoprene cut to be slightly larger than the bracket foot and re-install the foot over both shims. The neoprene could deform and spread the load. Is the roof track any stronger than the roof body?

I didn't like how the front feet rest on the roof so I cut a shim to fit much wider than the steel foot and stuck the 3M tape that came on the front feet to the neoprene. It spread the load and let the foot rest flat and stable, not half way on the roof top strip and half on the sheet metal. It will probably deform a bit over time and I will have to readjust the height of the front feet so the wind deflector clears the roof.

Do you have pictures of your setup to share?

 

[Rein]

After reading this thread I went straight out to my vehicle and found the same issue. I am actually pretty surprised at the level of damage.

Each corner is damaged right under the stand. Additionally the roof rails have a slight buckle under the 2 middle stands a few inches down. The photo shows the buckle in the reflection of a near by buildings roof.

I have only loaded it up fully once with an approximate weight of 250 pounds (conservative est). That weight was for driving and the rack was empty while camping.

 

[BradBrad619]

Sounds like the OP isn't the only one with roof dents. The pics [MENTION=120827]Rein[/MENTION] posted makes me wonder why BajaRack wasn't concerned with this happening before ever putting these into production.

 

[Keith_PDX]

[MENTION=120827]Rein[/MENTION] - Are you located close enough to Baja to swing by and see what they say? They probably know there's a problem and thus why they're not providing digital response confirming or denying the issue.

Sorry that you're also affected. Thank you for taking the time to reply.
Cheers,
Keith

 

[Okki]

Each corner is damaged right under the stand. Additionally the roof rails have a slight buckle under the 2 middle stands a few inches down. The photo shows the buckle in the reflection of a near by buildings roof.
.

For comparison:

My Gobi Stealth Rack has the feet not extending wider than the OEM rain gutter. That's also in line with the OEM bars if I recall correctly. Only the plastic covers on those extend over the rain gutter; not the load bearing feet themselves.

EDIT: here's the "layers" that make up the Gobi feet:

Okki

 

[tigger]

For comparison:

My Gobi Stealth Rack has the feet not extending wider than the OEM rain gutter. That's also in line with the OEM bars if I recall correctly. Only the plastic covers on those extend over the rain gutter; not the load bearing feet themselves.

EDIT: here's the "layers" that make up the Gobi feet:

Okki

So would I be correct in saying that the weight on the Gobi is carried on those cylinder spacers? (part #D) If so, doesn't seem like the weight is very dispersed. Are those small areas strong enough to support 600 + lbs for long periods of time?
Or is the larger top piece (#F) picking up some of the load?

 

[Wingman707]

poor design

Sounds like the OP isn't the only one with roof dents. The pics [MENTION=120827]Rein[/MENTION] posted makes me wonder why BajaRack wasn't concerned with this happening before ever putting these into production.

This seems to be a terrible design. One look at the feet of this rack would tell me not to install it and send me a call tag to pick up. If you were to over tighten the bolts going into the roof, you would have a chance to dent your roof static or dynamic (so awesome). sounds like a pretty good s&!t sandwich. Enjoy.

 

[Porqupine82]

This thread affirms my decision of purchasing a PrInSu. Ordered it a few days ago, hopefully get it in about 4 weeks. I was so torn between BR and Prin, feel better now lol.

 

[Keith_PDX]

So would I be correct in saying that the weight on the Gobi is carried on those cylinder spacers? (part #D) If so, doesn't seem like the weight is very dispersed. Are those small areas strong enough to support 600 + lbs for long periods of time?
Or is the larger top piece (#F) picking up some of the load?

You are correct. What is the material under the cylinders? Metal or rubber? That will tell if the weight is distributed or not.

This seems to be a terrible design. One look at the feet of this rack would tell me not to install it and send me a call tag to pick up. If you were to over tighten the bolts going into the roof, you would have a chance to dent your roof static or dynamic (so awesome). sounds like a pretty good s&!t sandwich. Enjoy.

The spacers under prevent that. Very similar to the cylinder conversation stated above. If quality control is in place, this should not be possible. How does your sh&t sandwich taste?

 

[cutty01]

This thread affirms my decision of purchasing a PrInSu. Ordered it a few days ago, hopefully get it in about 4 weeks. I was so torn between BR and Prin, feel better now lol.

Haven't heard for PrInSu before, but looks like they make a very good looking rack that is also affordable. Only concerns are that their full length rack doesn't appear to support a sunroof and drilling is required for the front posts (is that the case for BR and Gobi too?).

 

[ArthurHawk]

I would of been furious if that was my car, they need to stop production take care of their customer and figure it out!!!!!

 

[HammerHead]

back when I bought my bajarack I was missing a couple of small pieces, so I emailed them. NO response to multiple emails, so I called and got a real person on the first call and my problem was solved. So I suggest you call them and see what they have to say.

No problems with my rack and its been loaded heavy multiple times.

 

[wfo9]

One thing about 4runner owners.. They can freak about the most mundane stuff.

It's a roof nobody will ever see it or notice or care..... Move on, it's really not a big deal.

If something falls off... Pull out the welder and put it back on. This is how the rest of the 4x4 world works.