TrailRax Roof Rack/Side Rack Install/Questions

I'm about to push the order button on the TrailRax roof rack and Pak Rax, however, I'm not 100% on whether or not this is the solution for me. It would be great to hear from experienced owners. Here are my use cases:

1. Hauling / storage of packout boxes / gear
2. Hauling of kayaks
3. Hauling of fuel and water (i.e. Rotopax)
4. Mounting / hauling traction boards and recovery tools

I have no immediate plans for a rooftop tent, we've made accommodations to sleep inside the Bronco or a ground tent.

Question: based on my intended uses, is the TrailRax "overkill" for the job? And, by the way, I'm not opposed to overkill / over building. :)

SlashRacer

Some of us have installed the TrailRax roof and side racks and others have questions on it. There are few conversations going around in a few different threads. This is the thread to post in if you have questions about the rack/side racks or installation of the rack/side racks.

You can remove the first two rows of your top with this rack on.

Really nice execution. I also got the universal recovery board plate as well. I haven't put it on yet or tried it but looking forward to.

rws

I'm about to push the order button on the TrailRax roof rack and Pak Rax, however, I'm not 100% on whether or not this is the solution for me. It would be great to hear from experienced owners. Here are my use cases:

1. Hauling / storage of packout boxes / gear
2. Hauling of kayaks
3. Hauling of fuel and water (i.e. Rotopax)
4. Mounting / hauling traction boards and recovery tools

I have no immediate plans for a rooftop tent, we've made accommodations to sleep inside the Bronco or a ground tent.

Question: based on my intended uses, is the TrailRax "overkill" for the job? Any, by the way, I'm not opposed to overkill / over building. :)

Great questions.

1. The Bronco Nation team uses the Trailrax solution with Roam boxes for the roof that work really well. Nicely executed design and security to the rack.
2. You have inspired me to get a kayak, I dont know if this would work with that (lol)
3. This is a beautiful execution that TrailRax has done. I have 2 Rotopax on one side and it fits and works nicely. One thing to note, it does cover up the "blind spot", so be a little careful when turning or changing lanes. Also has a slight bit of noise, but not too bad.
4. TrailRax sells a "universal recovery board mount" that should fit into one of the parts that goes down one of the sides. I have not put that on yet, but I did purchase it and intend to use it for that reason.

Depending on what recovery tools you have (I'm assuming you are referring to an off road jack) that could go on the roof. Hopefully you dont need it.

Hope this helps.

BD

bdawson24

Great questions.

1. The Bronco Nation team uses the Trailrax solution with Roam boxes for the roof that work really well. Nicely executed design and security to the rack.
2. You have inspired me to get a kayak, I dont know if this would work with that (lol)
3. This is a beautiful execution that TrailRax has done. I have 2 Rotopax on one side and it fits and works nicely. One thing to note, it does cover up the "blind spot", so be a little careful when turning or changing lanes. Also has a slight bit of noise, but not too bad.
4. TrailRax sells a "universal recovery board mount" that should fit into one of the parts that goes down one of the sides. I have not put that on yet, but I did purchase it and intend to use it for that reason.

Depending on what recovery tools you have (I'm assuming you are referring to an off road jack) that could go on the roof. Hopefully you dont need it.

Hope this helps.

BD

Thank you, this is very helpful!

SlashRacer

Some of us have installed the TrailRax roof and side racks and others have questions on it. There are few conversations going around in a few different threads. This is the thread to post in if you have questions about the rack/side racks or installation of the rack/side racks.

You can remove the first two rows of your top with this rack on.

I do have the Trailrax Rack on my Wildtrak but thinking about the side racks as well. How difficult was it to install the side racks after you had the top rack on the vehicle. I assume there is quite a bit of effort involved in getting the back section of the roof lifted on the installing process, and did you have to unbolt the front from the roof in the process.?

LR48

I do have the Trailrax Rack on my Wildtrak but thinking about the side racks as well. How difficult was it to install the side racks after you had the top rack on the vehicle. I assume there is quite a bit of effort involved in getting the back section of the roof lifted on the installing process, and did you have to unbolt the front from the roof in the process.?

I installed the bases for the side racks before I installed the top rack and drove around with just the bases for a few days before I installed the top. The main bars on the top rack are 1 piece. So....will probably have to unbolt the front to lift the back up to install the bases.

I have noticed a side wind noise with nothing on the side racks. I need to ride in the back to figure out exactly where the noise is coming from.

If you install the boards on the side of a 4 door, you can not open the rear door of the side they are on. If you get the boards, you need to mount them up top.

bdawson24

Great questions.

1. The Bronco Nation team uses the Trailrax solution with Roam boxes for the roof that work really well. Nicely executed design and security to the rack.
2. You have inspired me to get a kayak, I dont know if this would work with that (lol)
3. This is a beautiful execution that TrailRax has done. I have 2 Rotopax on one side and it fits and works nicely. One thing to note, it does cover up the "blind spot", so be a little careful when turning or changing lanes. Also has a slight bit of noise, but not too bad.
4. TrailRax sells a "universal recovery board mount" that should fit into one of the parts that goes down one of the sides. I have not put that on yet, but I did purchase it and intend to use it for that reason.

Depending on what recovery tools you have (I'm assuming you are referring to an off road jack) that could go on the roof. Hopefully you dont need it.

Hope this helps.

BD

Are you saying your blind spot detectors will not work correctly or that you have covered up the rear side window so you essentially cant see out of it ?

I have been thinking hard on the short TrailRak with the side PakRax . Anyone have experience with the short version ?

Dirt Dog

Are you saying your blind spot detectors will not work correctly or that you have covered up the rear side window so you essentially cant see out of it ?

The detectors will work, it's when you turn your head to check a blind spot that I had trouble seeing outside with the Rotopax on. (I'm still old school and check my blind spots even with the technology)

SlashRacer

I have noticed a side wind noise with nothing on the side racks. I need to ride in the back to figure out exactly where the noise is coming from.

If you install the boards on the side of a 4 door, you can not open the rear door of the side they are on. If you get the boards, you need to mount them up top.

This is a good call out. I haven't mounted my boards to the side of my Bronco, but I also have a 2 door Bronco. I think they will work, but what you called out is important.

I was curious if you have any problems in a automatic car wash with these racks ?

SlashRacer

I installed the bases for the side racks before I installed the top rack and drove around with just the bases for a few days before I installed the top. The main bars on the top rack are 1 piece. So....will probably have to unbolt the front to lift the back up to install the bases.

Thanks that’s what I figured it looks you need about 1-2 inches to get everything in and properly set.

I love my TrailRax. I don't mind the wind noise with the cargo boxes on top...it's not as bad as I thought it would be, but I've had several Jeeps and know what to expect on long trips, camping, mountain biking and kayaking. Looking forward to adding the water and fuel containers on the sides to see what difference it makes in terms of additional noise.

Jumpmasterken27

I love my TrailRax. I don't mind the wind noise with the cargo boxes on top...it's not as bad as I thought it would be, but I've had several Jeeps and know what to expect on long trips, camping, mountain biking and kayaking. Looking forward to adding the water and fuel containers on the sides to see what difference it makes in terms of additional noise.

looks very nice ! Are you going to attach 2 gal Rotopaks ?

LR48

Thanks that’s what I figured it looks you need about 1-2 inches to get everything in and properly set.

The fender bolts are around 1.5” long so you need to go up 3-4” to mount the bottom bases.

bdawson24

The detectors will work, it's when you turn your head to check a blind spot that I had trouble seeing outside with the Rotopax on. (I'm still old school and check my blind spots even with the technology)

There are so far back on a 4 door they do not affect the blind spots.

Dirt Dog

I was curious if you have any problems in a automatic car wash with these racks ?

I don’t take my bronco through car washes. 😬 Hand wash only.

Jumpmasterken27

I love my TrailRax. I don't mind the wind noise with the cargo boxes on top...it's not as bad as I thought it would be, but I've had several Jeeps and know what to expect on long trips, camping, mountain biking and kayaking. Looking forward to adding the water and fuel containers on the sides to see what difference it makes in terms of additional noise.

Looks FANTASTIC! I will be adding a couple of storage compartments as well.

What is this that the arrow is point to?