ChrisInVermont,
Here is a response to you from Gobi
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Well I am trying to decide which rack to get and I would like to get some
input from current owners. My problem is that the factory roof rack is too
short for my kayak setup. I have a set of Yakima hully rollers and saddles
and I can't get them very far apart. On my old Xterra I could get the
rollers and the saddles far enough apart to not have to tie the bow or
sterns down. I would like to get a full length rack to directly attach the
Yakima attachments to.
All Gobi roof rack cross bars are compatible with Yakima and Thule accessories. The cross bars are 1-1/8" round.
I like the idea of the Baja flat rack but I also like the idea of the Gobi
with the ladder. My concern on the Baja is that the bars won't be the right
size for the attachments (about 1 1/8") and there won't be enough clearance
under them to get the attachments on or to tie down lumber. Someone
mentioned that the Gobi rack would fit the Yakima accessories. What I don't
like about the Gobi is that the front bar is higher the rest of the rack
which makes it harder to carry lumber up there as the boards would not be
flat. The ladder on the Gobi would be nice as the wife is only 5 feet tall
and it would be easier for her to get up to tie the boats down.
Actually we have a Gobi Stealth Xterra model which is substantially flat except as you mentioned for the front of the light bar which rises up approximately 1.5”. The added advantage of the light bar riser comes into play most especially when lumber is tied to the roof rack. As I’m sure you are very aware when sudden stops occur the risk of the lumber shifting forwards is high most especially when the rack is completely flat. The fact that the light bar rises 1.5” higher in the front provides a stop for the first sheet or piece of lumber and all the rest of the lumber tied to that first piece will be prevented from flying forward do to sudden stops in the case of an emergency. This is a good incentive to keep the Gobi riser in place I know because it happened to me. The alternative is our Gobi Ranger roof rack which I have attached images of and you can see in the pictures that the rear height of the roof rack is equal to the front of the light bar in essence flat or level from front to back.
I don't need the mesh in either design so hopefully I can get that worked
out with either manufacturer. What I need is a rack that I can attach the
Yakima pieces too, and that I could put the rollers as far back and as far
forward as possible. This would help ease getting the kayaks on without
damage the trim over the rear wiper. The front saddles should be able to be
at least as far up as the back of the sunroof and ideally would work on the
front section. I don't know how the saddles would fit on the front bar of
the Gobi since it is angled up. Secondary consideration would be for how
easy it is to tie lumber down. I do a bit of woodworking and my favorite
maple supplier is an hour away. I don't want to always have to haul the
trailer down when I only need a few pieces. I don't need lights on the rack
either.
I understand that you don’t want the expanded metal deck and we can provide the Gobi rack with or without the mesh but I believe the mesh to be very valuable in standing on the roof rack and tying down your lumber, boxes or bags. A roof rack is only as good as its utility and leaving out the mesh on any roof rack reduces its utility by half. We have an attachment called a “Jerry Can/Cargo tie down system” which uses any part of the mesh deck as an anchor point for tie down. We designed a unique hook we call a “Delta Hook” which can be slipped into the metal deck to be used for tying down cargo or lumber or anything for that matter. I have attached pictures of the Tie down system and the Gobi stealth Xterra roof rack for your inspection. As for cross bar placement we can place them at whatever distance and at whatever point you like on the roof rack to serve your needs or leave them off altogether if you choose. I hope I have helped but if you need more information please call or e-mail and thank you for taking Gobi roof racks and accessories into consideration.
Respectfully,
Paul Badillo
GOBIUSA
Attachments:
Gobi Stealth Jeep Jerry Can-Cargo Tie down system images.pdf
Gobi Xterra Ranger roof rack images.pdf
Gobi Xterra Stealth roof rack images.pdf