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Roof Rack on Meyers Hard Top - Suggestions?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Fhead Guy, Jun 2, 2015.

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  1. Fhead Guy

    Fhead Guy Member

    I'm looking at putting a roof/cargo/kayak rack on Percival's new/old Meyer Hard Top, and was curious if anyone has any recommendations on what rack to go with (or to avoid). I'm also curious if anyone has any gouge on the max weight that one should put on said rack.

    I'm not looking at doing any 4 wheeling with a 17 foot boat on top, just looking at going to the lake, and setting up a campsite.

    Thanks in advance!
     
    Fhead Guy, Jun 2, 2015
    #1
  2. Jw60

    Jw60 That guy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I would not drive with that on top get a trailer
     
    Jw60, Jun 2, 2015
    #2
  3. Fhead Guy

    Fhead Guy Member

    My 17' kayak only weights about 100 lbs . . .
     
    Fhead Guy, Jun 2, 2015
    #3
  4. Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Well - what I've seen is the kayak (or canoe) needs to move forward so the length is centered on the rig. Most I know use a front hoop on the bumper and a custom hoop off the rear bumper to put the canoe on. Works with, or without, top that way.

    Those that didn't usually ended up getting the tail of the canoe hung up in trees along the trail... these were to go place 4x4 only to small high lakes so take it for what its worth.
     
    Warloch, Jun 2, 2015
    #4
  5. Jw60

    Jw60 That guy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Problem is It gets top heavy, my road bike (8lbs) on top is not bad, my mountain bike is noticable and a beach cruiser is sketchy. Although your top Is lighter and aluminum it will not save you in a rollover.I would use a trailer because the body roll is going to be terrible and my concern Is you will be three wheeling around town At best.

    How are you planning to load that on top anyway? And please note I have a rack I would love to help if it sounded safe.
     
    Jw60, Jun 2, 2015
    #5
  6. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Meyer cabs are steel.

    I would not put anything on top of that cab. The Meyer cabs are top heavy without any extra weight, putting more weight up there even higher than now seems unwise.
     
    timgr, Jun 2, 2015
    #6
  7. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    I put my ww kayak on top a lot tied to rollbar with no top - I have both front windshield and normal rear hoops. Spacing is about the same as the yakima racks I put on my truck. Of course ww kayaks are more in the 8-10' range and 40-50lbs. I have run yakima racks and kayaks on the factory fiberglass tops on later cj7 and yj. Never had a problem even with multiple boats but those weren't an ECJ5. As for rack type I think yakima works best. I have always used their standard tower and 'landing pad' to mount on to top- same as mounting to truck topper. As with everything driving style needs to be appropriate for added weight and height. But...I do use a trailer for bigger trips. So much easier loading and tieing boats on low trailer than up high and lots of room for wet gear and paddles and cooler etc.
     
    FinoCJ, Jun 2, 2015
    #7
  8. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Here is mine as it sits this afternoon using jus the roll bar as I am about to head out to Clear Creek for some kayaking.

    [​IMG]

    Any Yakima or Thule rack system would easily carry the 100lbs - almost every ww kayaker uses one or the other (Yakima is more expensive but higher quality) and they easily carry 4 or 5 boats (200- 250lbs) although that probably exceeds manufacturer specs). As others have mentioned the two concerns are the length of the boat - much more similar to an open canoe - and the drivability of the jeep. I have never driven an ECJ5 with metal hard top - there is lots of discussion on the forum about how much just a hardtop affects the drivability. I have no concerns about one or even two boats (100lbs) on top of my ECJ5 without a hardtop - but drive it conservatively. As for the length, you can see from my pic with an 8.5' boat that yours will have 4-5 additional feet of hangover front and rear. I have seen a lot of different options tried by people including front and rear bumper supports. But if you can get the cross-bars on the racks right at the front and back of the top (approx. 5.5' apart) you should not have any problem with a 17' kayak (canoe might be a bit different). Many of us carry ww kayaks with bar spacing of only 2-2.5 feet.

    One other thing to consider is not just the weight of the boats and increased CoG, but wind resistance. Even in a modern SUV or my Tacoma, wind is very noticeable (especially cross-winds) and mpg will also reflect that. My most recent set-up for the taco has the racks mounted on the bed side rails and its my favorite set-up so far. Lower CoG and less head wind affect with the boats tucked behind the cab. I probably put close to 5000 miles a summer carrying boats around so a little saved mpg adds up.
     
    FinoCJ, Jun 2, 2015
    #8
  9. Greenshirt82

    Greenshirt82 The Old Girl - '69 CJ5

    The Meyer tops weigh 350 lbs plus. As Tim noted above they are steel and all that top weight should already cause concern - I drive slower and take corners easy with mine on. Adding another 50 or 100 lbs on top is flirting with disaster.

    Regards,
    Tim
     
    Greenshirt82, Jun 2, 2015
    #9
  10. uncamonkey

    uncamonkey Member

    I have a Koenig full cab on the 3B. the only issue I have ever had was when I had a low tire. I've had it for many years so I suppose I could be used to how it handles. Only had it for something like 35 years and it is a PITA to remove or replace.
     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2015
    uncamonkey, Jun 2, 2015
    #10
  11. Fhead Guy

    Fhead Guy Member

    Thanks everyone. I must say I'm surprised at many of the comments and responses. I never though of my CJ-5 as a certain death vehicle - it's bone stock, and very driveable. Shocks, shackles, body mounts, etc. are all 10 yrs old max.

    I have driven a friend's jeeps that have been upgraded to a V8 engine, raised, big tires, etc. and was happy to get back behind the wheel of my little Hurricane 4 after a very brief jaunt. It was that scary to drive.

    I had one high school friend that was killed in a CJ7 after jumping a bridge, and rolling the jeep after landing (he jumped the bridge on purpose). I know of no other casualties personally.

    I'll be careful!
     
    Fhead Guy, Jun 3, 2015
    #11
  12. uncamonkey

    uncamonkey Member

    If you have had the Jeep for 10 years you probably know how it is going to handle by now and I wouldn't get too worried. It's only as dangerous as it's driver. One friend rolled the family Jeep in 1973, the worst problem was the battery acid on his leg My neighbor flopped his Scout on a trail. The only injury was to Gerry, Mike was standing on him as he tried to get out of the window.:p
     
    uncamonkey, Jun 3, 2015
    #12
  13. orange_jeep

    orange_jeep Member

    Ive contemplated on getting a rack for years. We all know the dangers of driving a cj5 and like most of you WE know how to drive one safely. In the few situations that someone else has drove mine, Ive given them a lecture and list of things not to do... ( sharp turns, follow someone too closely, etc.). After a few years in the works my hardtop is finally being restored. After I see how it drives, I will see if I think I can handle a rack or not. That kayak isn't going to haul itself.
     
    orange_jeep, Feb 7, 2018
    #13
  14. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    I get a kick out of the top heavy comments....it's as if the whole weight of the top is above the roof line. If you think about the doors, sides and rear hatch it's distribution is more like having 2 passengers sitting in the back. The only real difference is the roof itself and it's not heavy enough to be a deal breaker. Springs that are too flexible are the real problem when it comes to tippy Jeeps. :coffee::)
     
    Glenn, Feb 7, 2018
    #14
    Twin2, dozerjim and Focker like this.
  15. Zoomer

    Zoomer eJeeper (walking)

    Carried a Grumman aluminum canoe on mine (no rack, just foam blocks) a few times for duck hunting in the past. Just country roads, fire trails and some mild off road. Didn't have any problem, just drove slower and more cautious. I have a Meyers cab, jeep has a little lift and 33x12.5 tires. Don't remember ever thinking I wouldn't do it again. YMMV.
     
    Zoomer, Feb 7, 2018
    #15
  16. 1957Willys

    1957Willys Member

    How does your top mount to the body? Does it have spacers that fit into the top lip of the tub or just have nuts with lock washers?
     
    1957Willys, Feb 7, 2018
    #16
  17. Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I would add a swaybar and never look back. It will take the tippy right out of it. Steve's 71 project will have steel hard top, roof basket on top of that. His jeep came with two swaybars laying in the back.
     
    Norcal69, Feb 7, 2018
    #17
  18. jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    I dont seem to have any good pics of my rack but its just square tube with washers welded on and i bolted it through the supports inside or close to them. So i can strap anything i want to them. And its a clean look not really noticeable at all. I keep a blanket in the jeep incase whatever i have up there doesnt span to the bars. Iv had 6 or 7 hundred pounds of deck boards on top one time. Only for 10 miles or so but it held it.
     

    Attached Files:

    jeep2003, Feb 7, 2018
    #18
  19. Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I have a two man Old Town fishing Kayak 16' long, it is a pinta to move around. It is too long for my utility trailer, hangs off both ends, I put the front right over the ball, and it still hangs over the back by four feet. I am thinking about building a Tee trailer just for it, just an axel and a 16' long tongue, and two U shaped brackets with seat belts between them for it to lay in, it would be a way to store it when not in use. Good luck
     
    Rick Whitson, Feb 8, 2018
    #19
  20. Broylz

    Broylz Member

    Granted mine is aluminum, but I haven't noticed any difference in top heaviness with my Sears top. I too am looking at putting a rack on top of it for a pair of 14 foot canoes.

    I'm thinking of welding one up made of emt conduit and incorporating a light bar that will drop down slightly so the top of the lights are about as high as the top of the basket so the canoes can still sit over.
     
    Broylz, Feb 10, 2018
    #20
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