To Gobi or not to Gobi.....

[Snowden]

I need a rack. I keep kicking various ideas around and around always thinking to myself, there must be a way to get the cool factor of the Gobi for less than half the $1600 (not counting the extra $200 for the removable sunroof piece) they want. Plus it ticks me off they are a sue happy company who have put more than a few one-man shop guys out of business with their deep pocket lawyers. But man that Gobi Stealth just sure looks right on a 3rd gen. Thoughts...?

 

[T4R2014]

Speak with your wallet. It counts the most.

 

[Ole Bones]

I personally love my gobi stealth rack but I have heard some serious problems with the customer service and the production time. Luckily I got mine driving through the high desert in CA from CO so I didn't have to wait for it to be fab'd up or deal with the customer service at all and it was brand new still in the two huge boxes. The fit and quality is great as well no issues. Although I have a 5th gen I can almost guarantee the quality will be the same. Good luck

 

[T4topher]

I need a rack. I keep kicking various ideas around and around always thinking to myself, there must be a way to get the cool factor of the Gobi for less than half the $1600 (not counting the extra $200 for the removable sunroof piece) they want. Plus it ticks me off they are a sue happy company who have put more than a few one-man shop guys out of business with their deep pocket lawyers. But man that Gobi Stealth just sure looks right on a 3rd gen. Thoughts...?

I think that gobi’s are hands down one of the best looking racks for 3rd gens, at the same time I agree about the negatives you brought up as well. I’m looking for a rack someday down the line and still haven’t decided what I want myself. Rocky Mountain is cool, so is prinsu... Kind of considering making my own rack, we’ll see.. They can’t stop me from making my own DIY Gobi rack! Lol.

 

[Bumbo]

Company politics aside, it’s a nice rack, but I think it’s overpriced. Sometimes it’s hard to stomach the cost of an accessory that cost 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of the truck haha.

There are people out there who makes similar for a lot less, I would try and seek out one of those.

As long as whatever is up there provides the utility you need, that is all that really matters anyways.

If I had to do it again, I would find something made from aluminum, having all that weight up there is noticeable on the freeway. Worst place to put weight and messes with center of gravity.

 

[phattyduck]

Rocky Mountain Racks and Prinsu both make full length aluminum options. Slightly different look though...

-Charlie

 

[Etool711]

Love my Rocky Mountain rack.

 

[RunningForNow]

$1,600 is roughly 25% of what I paid for my car. No way in hell will I spend that much on a roof rack, I don't care if it's made of gold, kisses you in the forehead when you wake up every morning, and makes you breakfast. It's the same reason I see no point in spending $500+ on a Thule bike carrier, when the one I bought for $150 works just fine, and secure enough that I trust to mount my $5000 MTB on it.

Plenty of options online that costs way less. In terms of durability, I don't think the cheap brands are an issue, as it's generally not recommended to carry any more than 200 lbs on the roof, anyway. When I do get around to mounting a roof rack, I would only carry the lighter stuff with it.

 

[808Waterman]

Out Gear Solutions in Southern California. They make custom metal stuff. They do NICE work. They also make other accessories. No complains yet. Other than that I moved away before they started making sliders. Gobi is nice, but the price tag is more than I personally want to spend.

 

[mtbtim]

$1,600 is roughly 25% of what I paid for my car. No way in hell will I spend that much on a roof rack, I don't care if it's made of gold, kisses you in the forehead when you wake up every morning, and makes you breakfast. It's the same reason I see no point in spending $500+ on a Thule bike carrier, when the one I bought for $150 works just fine, and secure enough that I trust to mount my $5000 MTB on it.

Plenty of options online that costs way less. In terms of durability, I don't think the cheap brands are an issue, as it's generally not recommended to carry any more than 200 lbs on the roof, anyway. When I do get around to mounting a roof rack, I would only carry the lighter stuff with it.

Sic mods will cost you. I bought my 98 for $6500 and have spent over 10k in mods like a lift, bumpers, winch, full skids, custom roof rack, yada yada. Is $1600 a lot for a roof rack? Definitely. Your mountain bike weighs maybe 30 pounds. Your Thule rack can't handle the same load and offer the same utility that a Gobi Style rack can do for you. For example, try stacking a bunch of fire wood on your Thule rack while carrying extra fuel cans and whatever else you decide to throw up there to give yourself more passenger space room.

I personally like the Gobi style rack and would probably pull the plug on one if I didn't find a great deal on a custom one. Ash, if you like it and have the money, go for it. You can't take it with you so you may as well enjoy spending the money on something you love and it's clear to me you love your 4runner.

 

[eddielasvegas]

5 grand on a bicycle and you're complaining about the cost of a roof rack?

Now that right there is funny, I don't care who you are.


Eddie

$1,600 is roughly 25% of what I paid for my car. No way in hell will I spend that much on a roof rack, I don't care if it's made of gold, kisses you in the forehead when you wake up every morning, and makes you breakfast. It's the same reason I see no point in spending $500+ on a Thule bike carrier, when the one I bought for $150 works just fine, and secure enough that I trust to mount my $5000 MTB on it.

Plenty of options online that costs way less. In terms of durability, I don't think the cheap brands are an issue, as it's generally not recommended to carry any more than 200 lbs on the roof, anyway. When I do get around to mounting a roof rack, I would only carry the lighter stuff with it.

 

[eddielasvegas]

To the OP: I would call Gobi today or tomorrow. There was a GB that ended 2 weeks ago and would have saved you at least $200 and maybe more.

Another to the OP: With the GB price, there is not a roof rack on the market with Gobi functionality and all that is included that is any better in price.


Good luck,

Eddie

 

[JZiggy]

Another to the OP: With the GB price, there is not a roof rack on the market with Gobi functionality and all that is included that is any better in price.

And Gobi makes sure of that. I bet $500 of that cost pays their lawyers. I’m sorry but that kind of stuff ticks me off.

Don’t mean to derail your thread, Ash. Tim put it well — if it’s the right product for you and you don’t mind the cost then you should go for it! And then let’s go wheeling

 

[Bumbo]

Keep looking OP... or find a fabricator.

I got this made for like $1000 less than a Gobi rack with the fairing.

 

[Silver Supra]

keep looking op... Or find a fabricator.

I got this made for like $1000 less than a gobi rack with the fairing.

this!!!

 

[Snowden]

And Gobi makes sure of that. I bet $500 of that cost pays their lawyers. I’m sorry but that kind of stuff ticks me off.

Don’t mean to derail your thread, Ash. Tim put it well — if it’s the right product for you and you don’t mind the cost then you should go for it! And then let’s go wheeling

Had a great time on the Mohave trip with you Jordan, I hope Elliot made it back to Florida okay. Not sure if you tied up with Tim and Anwar yet but Tim said DV was the bomb. After hauling all that firewood and extra fuel in the back of my rig I decided I need to fast track the expedition roof rack.

 

[RunningForNow]

5 grand on a bicycle and you're complaining about the cost of a roof rack?

Now that right there is funny, I don't care who you are.


Eddie

Laugh it up. It’s a sport I take seriously, and I’m in the trails almost every weekend. It’s one thing I enjoy doing, and have been doing since I was 13. I’m a cheap bastard normally, but when it comes to bikes, I don’t compromise. I’m the same with all my kids bikes as well.

 

[Team_Jake]

Out Gear Solutions in Southern California. They make custom metal stuff. They do NICE work. They also make other accessories. No complains yet. Other than that I moved away before they started making sliders. Gobi is nice, but the price tag is more than I personally want to spend.

THIS!!

OP, don’t waste your money on an expensive rack, contact Joe at Outgear Solutions instead. They make top quality racks and they look almost identical to Gobi at nearly half the price.

 

[JayRolla]

Laugh it up. It’s a sport I take seriously, and I’m in the trails almost every weekend. It’s one thing I enjoy doing, and have been doing since I was 13. I’m a cheap bastard normally, but when it comes to bikes, I don’t compromise. I’m the same with all my kids bikes as well.

Maybe he enjoys offroading and loading up his rack every weekend. Maybe when it comes to his rig he dont compromise. Dont dog the $1600 rack and then say you spent $5k on a bike.

 

[TonyB66]

Had a great time on the Mohave trip with you Jordan, I hope Elliot made it back to Florida okay. Not sure if you tied up with Tim and Anwar yet but Tim said DV was the bomb. After hauling all that firewood and extra fuel in the back of my rig I decided I need to fast track the expedition roof rack.

Ash, I hear ya on the price, and more so, for me at least, the principle. Our aftermkt bumper options are 1/3 that price. Material-wise, it seems damn expensive... I decided early-on that would not be the desired solution. I also realized that I didn't need a full-length rack. There have also been issues with the forward supports on some full-length racks which was an additional reason for me keep the rack smaller, only over the factory rails and not extend beyond or further forward...

You also might want to consider the weight penalty of a full-sized rack and one that is steel. The rack itself is part of the weight limits too (static and dynamic)...

The Rocky Mtn Antero added just 15 pounds. Those were some of the considerations for me at least...

I also knew that I would get (and did later) a small utility/camping trailer for larger, heavier items. The rack will be to secure an overflow of duffel bags, fishing rods and like stuff when we don't have the trailer with us. It also served well for a couple Home Depot runs, most recently some closet doors.

Good luck finding and getting what you want!