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Thule or rhino rack?

5K views 13 replies 9 participants last post by  Mark_ 
#1 ·
I'm trying to decide between the Thule and rhino rack. Anyone have any input ( or is anyone selling?) on which rack is better and why? I have the 2017 jeep Cherokee trailhawk btw.



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#3 ·
I've used Thule in the past, just because they seem to be solid and not so noisy. I'm very much in this boat too. I want a rack, that I can add either a basket, kayak carrier, a storage box, but I want to be able to remove them in the harsh salty, snowy Winter, as well.

I might have to look at Rhino as the Thule, even on sale at REI garage are more than a complete Gobi with installation. Sure Gobi is there all year round but you can't really beat the design for all around utility.

I've been thinking about these options now for almost a year.

Glad you brought this up again. Maybe we can get more opinions from those that have them already on their KLs, particularly their THs.


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#6 ·
I have the Rhino racks. No noise at all from the oval shaped ones except with the sunroof open!

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#7 ·
I'm trying to decide between the Thule and rhino rack. Anyone have any input ( or is anyone selling?) on which rack is better and why? I have the 2017 jeep Cherokee trailhawk btw.
If you are looking at crossbars, and in case you didn't know, stay away from Thule Aeroblade Edge. The way they attach to the Cherokee's factory rails causes excessive torsion forces on the rails, which causes damage. You can fit Aeroblades, but the ones with the 450R footpack, not the Edge flush ones. Regular Thule square bars are fine too.
 
#8 ·
Another option you may want to look at is Front Runner. The company started in South Africa and has an office in the Los Angeles area. Ordered a custom size rack (61.5" long, 8" longer than their standard KL offering on the web) on Wednesday and received it on Friday. Just a tick over $1K when all was said and done. More options and accessories available than most people can imagine. The available accessories may even give you additional ideas on how you could use the rack once setup. If you like the look of side rails you can even add those from just partial to all the way around. Rock solid and very little additional wind noise when compared to the Thule Aero Blades I had on there before. I especially liked how cross bars were not required. The mounting feet attach directly to the rack platform.A bit over 50 lbs total weight. You can access all of their installation .pdf files on the web which will give you a really good idea how all of the pieces work together and how versatile the system really is. I did notice more sat radio drop outs when in more congested urban areas. I might just cut 4" off the tail end of the rack to give more distance to the roof antenna after I do a bit more testing. Another forum member has previously posted some pictures of his setup.

https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/en/us/vehicle/?find=2014-jeep-cherokee-kl-4-door-103836
 

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#9 ·
#11 ·
#13 · (Edited)
Hey guys,
Thought I'd weigh in too. I've got the Yakima rack and hardware with a Yakima basket installed and have been using it for about 5 months now. I've also got a bicycle rack (Rocky) mounted up there which I take off from time to time. I like the Yakima system and use it all the time. I got the whole setup new from REI and have had no issues at all. I got the medium length (I think. The shorties were a couple of inches too short) Aerodynamic bars in STEEL with vinyl wrap and plastic end caps. I really like the whole thing. I had intended to cut the excess off the bars so they were the right length but find that I use the "bullhorns" sticking out past the roof for tons of stuff. I put my EZ-UP tent on one side of the basket and my bike rack on the other. Since I added a bike rack to my travel trailer, I've peeled the bike rack off the roof and use that space to lash my fishing poles on. I'm currently looking for a more permanent holder to put my fishing poles up there so I can just leave it. Haven't found a good, small plastic box for the poles yet but I've found a couple of semi-rigid rod holders with zippers and might try one of those. I'd considered taking it all off and putting a Rocky Road or Gobi rack on but the price is prohibitive and also I'd lose the bullhorn crossbar extensions that I find I can't do without. I use the basket to put my lawn chairs and tiny folding table in.

I've also found the Yakima basket is a great place to hang lights as well. It's not too noisy and is solid as ****. I'm looking to get the Gobi latter so I can actually get things in and out of the basket without standing on the seats.

Just re-read the thread and should also add that I've had no noticeable additional XM dropouts since installing the rack. Only time I lose XM is in heavy trees or in my son's garage, which I seldom get a chance to use!
 

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