Rola Roof rack question

[yzmuddereffer]

Would you trust this to carry a 31-inch spare?

http://www.rolaproducts.com/content/products.aspx?lvl=3&parentid=2000&catID=2025&part=63156

 

[O-Gauge Steamer]

IMO, the roof is the alst place I would put a spare. Our Heeps are top heavy as they are and, again IMO, unbalancing them even more is asking for a roll over.

That being said, many do run top mounted spares. The specs say 125 pound capacity so that is in range but you would need to build a mount upon which to bolt in the tire.

Just my .02...

 

[yzmuddereffer]

Thanks. I'm not crazy about the idea of having the spare on the roof, but I'm looking for a system that allows towing a small motorcycle trailer, mounting a bicycle rack and getting the spare out of the trunk to make room for heaps of gear, sometimes all at the same time.

I don't have a QR axle on one of the bicycles, so I don't want to get a roof-mounted bike rack.

I need a new rear bumper, so I thought a bumper with a hitch receiver for the bike rack, the existing hitch for the trailer and tossing the spare to the roof would work.

The other consideration is I have a sunroof, so any roof rack needs to clear that. That's why I zero'ed in on that short Rola Rack.

 

[the_weirdo]

I use the Rola Rack and really like it. I don't carry my spare up there but do carry spare shafts, drivelines, and water that combined weighs more than a 31" spare. I got the rack from etrailers.com: http://www.etrailer.com/Roof-Cargo-Carrier/Rola/59504.html

 

[ADVNTURR]

I wouldn't have a problem with that basket, but I would not recommend using it with the factory cross bars that are used on the XJ’s. The cross bars may be rated and capable of carrying that kind of load, but they are extremely flexible and I don’t like anything of any weight on my roof to be moving around very much.

My recommendation would be to spend the money on something like a Yakima or Thule rack setup that either mounts to your factory tracks or the rain gutters (I personally prefer the gutter mounts) and uses one of their steel cross bars that are very rigid and strong. Both brands do offer baskets similar to what you were already looking at and I believe Yakima does offer a tire mount. The added benefit of going with a base rack from Yakima or Thule is that you get a lockable base that can be used to carry just about anything you can imagine with confidence. The added benefit of using a Yakima basket (and possibly the Thule setup) is that the basket is designed to use their standard accessories so you could conceivably mount your tire and a bike up there at the same time, assuming you stay within the weight limit.

 

[joe_peters]

That particular model would just about fit your spare, and nothing else.

IMHO a lot of money for not much.

There are commercial tire carriers that mount to the cross bars of the roof rack. Google "tire carrier for roof racks" and check out the "images" entry.

Now, when I get my roof rack it is going to be a BIG ONE for hauling lots of gear, and probably not my spare.

Have you looked at a 2" receiver doubler with a tire carrier? Google '2" receiver doubler'. You could use one of those, a bike carrier, and with an extension add a tire carrier.

Just some spit balling.

PS--always carry light stuff on the roof rack like sleeping bags, tents, your clothing bag but not a woman's bags--why do they pack so much???

 

[yzmuddereffer]

Thanks, guys. Great ideas!