Anyone installed the rhino backbone system?

[OzRick25]

Although i dont intend to get one I would have no problem in a rooftop tent and 2 adults on mine. If you want to put an extra wheel and tyre and a couple of Jerry's and then go offroad touring it's probably not ideal. No doubt the aev one is stronger but I'dd be comfortable with a rooftop tent on my rhino back bone.

Sidenote I have drilled a hole in the side bracket to relocate the subwoofer and can tell you that they have used a high tensile spring steel that is an absolute b#$& to drill not a standard steel.

[JusyApples]

Thanks for the replies. I don't intend on using it for a roof top tent. Mainly just recovery gear, jerry cans etc. I'm in western Sydney I went to ARB they quoted me $1730, the place across the road $1400. For just the bars. $2200 ARB vs $1800 from Truracks

[willo3885]

I installed mine myself on my 2 door JK. I'm not wizard on the tools but with the help of a mate it was pretty straightforward.

I too was a bit nervous about drilling holes in my car however the instructions are quite clear and all the brackets line up with the pre-existing holes/contours of the freedom top. It's pretty hard to go wrong if you pay attention to what your doing.

Having had the system installed for a couple of months now I am really happy with it. The framework doesn't rattle and is really solid and good quality. Would be interested to know how how a roof top tent adds to your fuel economy.

[samft]

Originally Posted by willo3885

I installed mine myself on my 2 door JK. I'm not wizard on the tools but with the help of a mate it was pretty straightforward.

I too was a bit nervous about drilling holes in my car however the instructions are quite clear and all the brackets line up with the pre-existing holes/contours of the freedom top. It's pretty hard to go wrong if you pay attention to what your doing.

Having had the system installed for a couple of months now I am really happy with it. The framework doesn't rattle and is really solid and good quality. Would be interested to know how how a roof top tent adds to your fuel economy.

I went for a James Baroud roof top tent.
Big money but it's not like any of them are cheap and I cant think of anything worse than being at a camp, needing to use the car and having to fold up a canvas tent on top of a well lifted jeep.
This one really does pack away in 20 secs once you're familiar with it (pops up in 5 secs)

The tent is the XXL model and could easily fit 3x people, hence wanting a higher static load than 360kg (the tent weighs 65kg i believe)

The JB tent must be quite aerodynamic, it's only added about 0.3-0.5l/100kms at freeway speed and is negligible at slower speeds.

My overall range has dropped around 20kms per tank, maybe less...although, this is compared to having no roof rack at all, so perhaps the rhino system would account for some of this fuel usage. The tent has been mounted since i got the rack

Weight in the corners is more noticeable, I have added airbagman airbags to stiffen the rear coils (and level out when I make use of all the re-claimed extra space inside the Jeep!)

[mick666]

Originally Posted by samft

I went for a James Baroud roof top tent.
Big money but it's not like any of them are cheap and I cant think of anything worse than being at a camp, needing to use the car and having to fold up a canvas tent on top of a well lifted jeep.
This one really does pack away in 20 secs once you're familiar with it (pops up in 5 secs)

The tent is the XXL model and could easily fit 3x people, hence wanting a higher static load than 360kg (the tent weighs 65kg i believe)

The JB tent must be quite aerodynamic, it's only added about 0.3-0.5l/100kms at freeway speed and is negligible at slower speeds.

My overall range has dropped around 20kms per tank, maybe less...although, this is compared to having no roof rack at all, so perhaps the rhino system would account for some of this fuel usage. The tent has been mounted since i got the rack

Weight in the corners is more noticeable, I have added airbagman airbags to stiffen the rear coils (and level out when I make use of all the re-claimed extra space inside the Jeep!)

just wondering what the rated static load carrying capacity of the AEV rack actually is? I did look at this unit before the rhino came up on sale $1100 at autobarn..

Cheers, Mick

[OzRick25]

You wont find that anywhere. AEV have a good partnership with Jeep they don't want to compromise. They state it's the strongest setup possible but won't give any load information as Jeep do not recommend any additional weight on the roof. So basically they say here is the strongest rack available we don't accept or pass onto Jeep any liability for any weight you put on it.

[LeighP]

Originally Posted by JusyApples

Thanks for the replies. I don't intend on using it for a roof top tent. Mainly just recovery gear, jerry cans etc. I'm in western Sydney I went to ARB they quoted me $1730, the place across the road $1400. For just the bars. $2200 ARB vs $1800 from Truracks

And you just learnt the ARB lesson.......if you're looking for the highest price, try ARB first....