I know there are a lot of discussions regarding best rack, and general consensus tends to favor GOBI, which I like too, but the price is a bit much and then there is the issue of weight. With the a ladder and the optional insert you're looking at roughly 100 lbs on the roof, w/o any gear. GVWR of jeep isn't much as is, so I'm trying to be weight conscious. I'm leaning towards the AEV Rack, as it seems to be one of the lighter options weighing in at 70 lbs, allows use of the freedom panels and seems to be good for loading up. Does anyone have any experience with this rack? Any opinions or alternatives I should be considering?

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input.

 

I am leaning the same direction as you.

Very interested in the AEV... I would like to hear feedback from someone who has the AEV.

 

I just purchased a 2013 Rubicon from Pollard Jeep in Boulder, CO. I had the folks at TrailJeeps (EXCELLENT group!) install an AEV roof rack, among other things. I formerly had a Gobi rack on a 2009 Wrangler. It's a nice rack and is highly functional. However, I never liked how the front of the rack was finished....to me it was not very streamlined. The AEV rack has very clean lines, even with the rail kit that I had installed as well as the base. The finish of the rack is first class. I have had no wind noise, probably because it sits back so far from the front of the roofline, unlike the Gobi (which I had very little wind noise). One of the things that I like about the AEV rack is that it bolts through the hard top (which can be removed after you remove 8 bolts from within the cab of the Jeep), which means I really don't have to worry very much about load limits on the rack (at least within reason). I will say that a cross member would have been nice on the rack to better accommodate things such as a ski rack.

 

I saw the AEV roof rack at SEMA this year. It's nice, well constructed, has a good profile, and is over engineered
The only challenge I have with it, is that you can only use it with the hard top installed. No topless option, no soft top option. Considering I'm most likely to use the roof rack for summer time wheeling/camping, it's not an option for me.

Good luck

 

Have you thought about finding a fab shop and get one custom built out of aluminum then powder coated to the collar you want that's the rout I'm going its much lighter just as strong and in Corpus it's actually cheaper

 

Don't know the AEV. But I bought a Kargo Master, with the Kongo Cage and Safari Basket. To me that was the best option, as I bring a lot of gear when I go far off the beaten path, and I am renovating my house these days, so trips to Home Depot are almost daily...
My rack will be on permanently, as I use it all the time. A solid construction was important to me when I made the purchase.

Pro's with this rack is capacity. I most often climb up there to secure my stuff, and I am almost 200lb.
Our Christmas trip was an 800 miles round trip, and I had about 300lb on the roof.

Con's are wind noise, but I am making a fairing for that, so I will be fine.



Good luck with your purchase.

 

Any good pics of how the AEV mounts?

 

I have the aev rack on mine can't figure how to attach pics yet

 

they mount to your roll bar. very nice and you could haul a house with it.

 

So you cut holes into the hard top?