Roof top tinny on grand cherokee

[Surnturf]

Have been wanting to do a roof top tinny/boat loader on the Overland for a few months and have been toying with a few ideas and have come up with something that should work

The Chief Rack will take the loads Ok but the problem is trying to get the tinny On/Off without damaging the car

I have encountered two issues that have to be overcome for it to work

1) Roof Rack has to extend past the rear Door/window to be able to lower it without hitting the glass or awning
2) Rear Door/Window has to open up with the tinny on and fixed in position for me to be able to get to my slide out Fridge as well as having full access to the rear compartment

Anybody have experience with the Grand Cherokee ?

[drover]

I have enough trouble with a kayak on top without hitting the rear door, the WG I could throw a tandem on top but this WK2, nope only a single or I can't open the back door so don't know how you would go with a tinny, I don't have any load capacity left to use once I'm set up for a tour, the kayak is stretching the friendship as it is................. what sort of tinny is under 150kg anyway... and Jeep rate the roof mounts as 75kg which seems to mean the mount studs which have a tendency to tear away I have noticed.

[Fishframe]

You seem to be suggesting something like this one designed by Homer Simpson?

[Surnturf]

This is the rack mounted on the Chief Bare Bones system

I have used Aluminium channel that locks itself in when in the fully down position.Have used a cordless remote 12v winch that connects to the rear Anderson plug when required

To get over the tinny touching the rear door I have installed sliding brackets that pull out for the tinny rails being able to pivot over and then onto the top mounts

I am about to order some gas struts for the rack and tinny to be able to pivot up and clear the rear door so I can access the Fridge and Drawers inside

It has been a challenge but I think I have gotten past the hard stuff

[Surnturf]

And some more photos

I initially used aluminium tube for the rear slides for the tinny to pivot over but they failed structurally right at the point of the locking pins hole

I then went to steel with no problems

The tinny weighs 62kg is 3.1m long 1.4m wide at the rear,

[GCRob]

Absolutely brilliant I love it. I'm thinking of touring with 2 kayaks that will weight approx 25 kg each add the racks and carriers and I'll be at the limit too. I think I'll have to revisit the Chief Bare Bones rack.

[drover]

Thats a surprising weight and certainly well set up................ Inspired me to get started on my plans to throw 2 Kayaks on the rack, just have to make a centre rail to lean them against...........