Garvin Half Rack

[TexRivers]

Has anyone tried the Garvin Expedition Half Rack? Quadratec has no customer reviews so I’m a little reluctant to pull the trigger. Seems like a good value for the load capacity and an easy install.

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[Rahneld]

This, right?: https://www.quadratec.com/p/garvin/...ler-jl-unlimited-4-door-factory-hardtop-20064

I like it too though I'm in the dark about it's quality like you Bill. Although Garvin makes good stuff.

Here's what I see as its pros:

* Relatively easy assembly/disassembly.

* Aesthetically nice design.

* No need to drill anything.

Here's what I see as its cons:

* Limited to hard top users only.

* Hefty price for a 1/2 rack, especially considering that for $300 more, Gavin has its full length rack--although sadly, it too appears limited to hard top users as well and prevents Freedom Panel removal.

* Rain gutter mounts will always limit weight loads.

* Limited peer review.

* There are easier installs for rain gutter only mounts if static/dynamic weight is less an issue.

Here's what I would have liked to see them do:

* Confirm (or design) that the rack's vertical members are mounted to the frame. Their website's ad copy suggests not.

A rack that's at one end connected to the frame (i.e. the roof rails, the cowl) and at the other end the body, especially if taken off road, will encounter torsional forces when the body and frame are not, as designed, temporarily in perfect line with each other.

* Although recognizing the following feature might have competed with its full length rack, I would have loved to see an add on accessory for this product, of a front rack--with no rear lip--that attaches around the cowl in its front, like the (any) full length rack, and the front of the half rack roduct in back.

In an ideal world, the front lip of the back rack could be flipped down (as much as its static nature adds in its structural strength) or eliminated to make one flat surface that runs the vehicle's length--even, if attached together strongly enough, *maybe* eliminate need for roof rails and open up the possibility of soft top usage and greater loads.

Garvin can't claim such designs "out of their element." From pictures at their website, they are already making the user bolt together sections of the rack portion up top, on either their full or half rack products.

I don't know why the full rack was designed as hard top only. I'm going to ask why. I can't see from pictures why the side stabilizers in back couldn't have been moved down to the tub ((Gobi) patent infringement maybe) without that much loss of sideways stability: especially given their use of rectangular rather than tube pipe.

Funny thing about racks. They have side walls--as if your gear would only need to be secured on them if they didn't (not!). They do I think for strength reasons, and because we're use to the look of a basket.

I don't think Surco has its Safari offering for the JL (yet?) : - ( What are your time frames for purchase?

https://www.quadratec.com/products/12135_9003_07.htm

Cheaper, all frame connection, easier install IMHO.

Can you tell...racks are my thing?

: - )

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[Ryno77]

https://www.quadratec.com/p/surco/safari-hardtop-rack-jeep-wrangler-jl-unlimited-4-door

 

[RubenZ]

The only way I'd buy something like that is if it were around 600.00. Honestly for that price the Rhino Rack Backbone or Maximus-3 Brackety something way nicer looking at stronger.

 

[TexRivers]

The Rhino Backbone is not out yet for the JL. The Maximus is about $3k installed. I’m looking for something that will support a roof top tent and allows removal of the freedom tops.

 

[RubenZ]

The Rhino Backbone is not out yet for the JL. The Maximus is about $3k installed. I’m looking for something that will support a roof top tent and allows removal of the freedom tops.

Maximus-3 for 3K installed? What moron quoted you that? The whole Maximus brackets plus long pioneer rack is like 1100 alone. I seriously doubt labor is another 2k.

 

[TexRivers]

Maximus-3 for 3K installed? What moron quoted you that? The whole Maximus brackets plus long pioneer rack is like 1100 alone. I seriously doubt labor is another 2k.

A Houston dealer recommended by Maximus.

 

[ShineJL]

Not the system with the rear support but i like the way the half rack looks.

 

[lembowski]

Has anyone bought this half rack yet?

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