Ready to purchase a kayak. I have a few questions:

1) Which roof rack system do you find to be most affordable, yet strong and fits a soft top 2dr JK? (either over the soft top, or a pure sport/roll bar attachment system for when the top is off)

2) How bad is your wind noise with the Kayak attached?

3) Do you notice any change in drag that negatively effects you MPG, with the kayak on, while on the highway/interstate?

Thanks!

 

I've seen this one from Yakima on a few jeeps and like it though I don't know if it would hold a kayak due to weight and mounting on the gutters. I think it's more for boards and skis, etc

 

When I was looking into racks to carry canoes with on my JKU, the Yakima people warned me away from using any that mount to the gutters n my hardtop. Their explanation was that the gutters aren't "structural" , so not capable of handling anything other than skis or snow boards. I ended up going with Yakima "foot pads" mounted to the roof with bolts, and their risers and bars, and I've been happy ever since hauling my wooden canoes. Really like how easy they are to put on and take off.

 

I had a Kargomaster Congo Cage on my 2002 TJ and really liked it, with one caveat. Putting a stock soft top down requires a lot of clearance. It arcs back before it falls into place. I imagine with any roof rack, this is a drag, since the rack sits very close to the soft top.

Kargomaster really sucked from this standpoint. I had to carry a wrench and unbolt it from the front window. Then they gave me a metal stick to lift the rack out of the way to get the top down. Then I had to lower the rack and bolt it back. Nightmare... and I got plenty of strange looks! Once I got a trektop for my TJ, I never had to unbolt the rack again... top just slipped right off.

Racks are awesome, but think the soft top makes a big difference. Stock and racks don't mix very well.

 

Like Heeper, I did the Yakima foot pads and riser bars. I've had the kayaks and. SUPs up there with no problem. When I'm not carrying anything I take the bars off, absolutely no wind noise with bars off. You will get wind noise with any cargo setup that is permanent. The Yakima was easy, inexpensive and functional.

 

I know you probably have a budget to stick to, but if you don't want to mess with your hardtop by doing any drilling into it, look at the gobi rack systems. They are the most sturdy and versatile racks I've seen. Not only that, I think they enhance the look of the jeep a lot. I plan to get one before summer and strap my 10.5 foot fishing kayak to the top. Plan to wheel to some high mountain lakes and also want to be able to throw some of the camp gear on the roof as well depending on whether or not I have passengers.