If you’re a road trip and adventure freak like me, this is so obvious that you may run out of storage while loading your vehicle with luggage and other essentials (for example- bike, kayak, fishing pole, etc.) for a trip. In such cases, a roof rack can be a great solution. It allows you to get an extra storage option where you can store the essentials.
I was thinking that I should share my thoughts with you because you may face a some situation. That’s why I’m talking about the top roof racks for Grand Cherokee in my opinion. To make your decision-making easier, I’ve also added a buying guide after the reviews.
Besides these, I’ve added some safety tips along with a buying guide to help you.
If you need a Jeep Grand Cherokee Roof Racks, this will definitely help you. So, don’t waste time anymore and jump right into the reviews.
Editor’s Choice
BRIGHTLINES Crossbars Roof Racks
If you’re looking for a strong and sturdy crossbar roof rack for your Jeep Grand Cherokee, this set from Brightlines can be your first choice.
Features:
- Material: Aluminum
- Load Capacity: 150 Pounds
- Mounting Type: Hook-on
- Warranty: One year manufacturer warranty
- Year Model: 2011-2021
Top 5 Best Roof Racks for Jeep Grand Cherokee Review
1. BRIGHTLINES Crossbars Roof Racks
If you’re looking for a strong and sturdy crossbar roof rack for your Jeep Grand Cherokee, this set from Brightlines can be your first choice. It is compatible with 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokees coming with chrome or black grooved side rails. If your Grand Cherokee has black plastic molding side rails or other types (SRT or Altitude), you can’t install it.
This is made of high-quality aluminum to ensure strength. The aluminum construction also ensures very lightweight. So, you won’t have to bring your sweat out while installing.
The length of the front crossbar is a bit more than the rear crossbar. But both are 2-3/4-inch wide and ¾-inch thick.
The pair is lightweight but strong enough to hold around 150 lbs. weight. The only condition is- the weight should be evenly distributed.
The package includes a pair of crossbars, two pairs of mounting brackets, and an installation guide. Installing it won’t be a hassle because everything is written in the manual. You won’t need any drilling. The crossbars are removable. So, you can remove this when you don’t need it.
You can carry kayaks, canoes, camping gear, luggage, bikes, fishing poles, etc. with these crossbars installed. According to my opinion, this is a very sturdy and great-looking crossbar roof rack that can support you for a long time.
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Specification:
- Material: Aluminum
- Load Capacity: 150 lbs
- Item Weight: 9.23 pounds
- Folding: No
- Mounting Type: Hook-on
2. YITAMOTOR Cross Bars Roof Racks
This crossbar roof rack from Yitamotor is another roof rack that you may like. Just like the previous one, it also fits 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokees with grooved side rails. So, you can’t install it if you have a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT or Altitude.
High-grade aluminum is used to build the bars and high-quality plastic is used to build the base feet. As a result, the weight is very light. Also, the plastic protects the rooftop from scratches. So, while installing, you won’t face any complex situations.
This lightweight crossbar set can handle up to 150 lbs. without any problem. So, you can carry surfboards, kayaks, luggage, camping gear, bike, fishing gear, snowboards, skis, and so on.
To match the vehicle shape, the front bar is a bit longer than the rear bar. Both bars come with an anti-theft lock design that keeps them safe from thieves.
Driving with this roof rack is very comfortable because it is made to keep the wind noise very low.
The package comes with 2 crossbars, 4 keys, 1 Allen wrench, and an installation manual. You can effortlessly and quickly install it following your intuition. The whole installation process won’t need more than 5 minutes.
Specification:
- Material: ABS Plastic, Aluminum
- Item Weight: 8.82 Pounds
- Folding: No
- Load Capacity: 150 Pounds
- Mounting Type: Bolt-on Installation
- DIMENSIONS: Front bar length: 113.5 cm / 44.7 inches, Rear bar length: 110.5 cm / 43.5 inches
3. MOSTPLUS Roof Rack Cross Bar Luggage Rack
According to my research, MostPlus has designed and developed this crossbar-style roof rack to fit the 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Limited, Overland, Upland, Trailhawk, and Summit). It doesn’t fit SRT and Altitude because these models don’t have any grooved side rails.
The full body and base legs of these crossbars are made of marine-grade aluminum which is strong and sturdy. As a result, the whole setup is strong enough to hold 150 lbs. weight firmly without any problem. The base feet come with rubber paddings that save the roof from getting scratched while installing or removing the crossbars. Also, the rubber pads keep the bar in place by preventing skidding.
I love the clamping system of these crossbars. The heavy-duty clamping system keeps these firmly in their place. But when you’ll need to remove these, you can do that easily just by loosening the screws.
While installing, make sure that you’re keeping the long bar at the front side. The bars are slightly different in length to match the distances between the side rails.
It took only a few minutes to install when I tried. You won’t need more than that. An installation guide comes with the package where you’ll see the instruction for installing these, but most probably you won’t need that. With the help of an Allen wrench, you can do it very easily.
You can carry your surfboards, bike, camping gear, cargo box, and luggage with the help of this set of the best roof rack for your Grand Cherokee from MostPlus.
4. BougeRV Car Roof Rack Cross Bars
The BougeRV Car Roof Rack Cross Bars I’m going to talk about is one of the most premium-looking crossbars for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It fits all Jeep Grand Cherokees from 2011-2021 except the ones with plastic molding side rails (SRT and Altitude).
To keep the weight as light as possible, aluminum and plastic are used to build these crossbars. The main body is prepared using high-grade aluminum. Quality plastic is used for building the feet. The plastic feet keep the roof of your Grand Cherokee scratch-free.
The shapes of the crossbars are designed aerodynamically so that these can reduce the noise of wind when you’re running at a high speed.
Installing it is very easy and you’ll need only a screwdriver to get it installed on the roof. The long one is sitting at the front and the short one will sit on the rear side. There are labels too so that you can easily understand the positions easily. Thus, installation won’t be a problem at all.
Once you install the pair on the roof, it is ready to carry a lot of things including your kayaks, camping gears, luggage, fishing poles, skies, show boards, bikes, etc. It can handle around 150 lbs. without any problem.
5. ALAVENTE Crossbars Roof Rack
This is another crossbar-style roof rack for you that mainly fits2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee. And just like the previous roof racks included in this article, it is not compatible with the SRT and Altitude models because the side rails in these models are molded, not grooved.
The solid construction includes an aircraft-grade aluminum body and plastic base feet. There is a black powder coating over the rack to ensure durability. The coating keeps it safe from rust and also different weather conditions. The base feet keep it in their place properly by ensuring friction.
Installing it is not a big matter. The easy installation process needs only a few minutes. And when installed, you’ll have an extra 150 lbs. load capacity added to your vehicle. The installation includes anti-theft locking which makes sure that thieves can’t steal the racks. An installation guide will be there in the package, but I think you won’t need it. The process is very simple. Also, an Allen wrench is added in the package. So, you won’t have to buy any.
Once you install it over the vehicle, it’ll add a stylish look. You can carry a lot of things including bike, surfboard, luggage, cargo box, fishing poles and so on. It comes with a streamlined water-drop design that ensures that the wind noise will be very low.
Best Roof Rack for Jeep Grand Cherokee Buying Guide
Buying a roof rack for your Grand Cherokee helps you to get rid of a lot of tension. Also, it helps you to get a huge space inside your Jeep sometimes. But to get benefits properly, you’ll have to buy the best one. Do you know how to pick the best one? Don’t worry. It’s time to discuss how you would find the best roof rack.
- Compatibility
At the very first step, you should check if the rack is compatible with your vehicle model. Jeep Grand Cherokee comes in different variations like SRT, Limited, Summit, Trailhawk, and so on. You need to be confirmed that the roof rack goes with the model. If you don’t check it in the first place, you might suffer after buying one.
- Material
You’ll see some roof racks made of steel and some come with aluminum construction. Steel racks are strong and able to carry a good amount of weight. But these are heavy. The weight of the rack affects the mobility of the vehicle. So, in my opinion, aluminum racks are better because those are lighter than steel but ensure better weight-carrying capacity.
Sometimes racks come with plastic feet. So, you may think those are vulnerable. But quality plastic feet are great enough to withstand the pressure and load. But if you don’t want to take any risk, pick all-aluminum racks.
- Capacity
The weight-carrying capacity may differ in different racks. It totally depends on the reason for buying the racks. Typically, the roof racks come with a weight capacity of around 150-165 lbs. This range is really good for regular use like carrying luggage, bike, kayaks, and day-to-day supplies.
- Safety Features
Roof racks are easy to install as well as remove. So, these are vulnerable to the attention of thieves. Make sure that the roof rack you’re buying comes with some kind of lock so that the thieves can’t steal it when you’re not around.
- Low Profile
Low-profile racks are better in my opinion. These types of racks create less noise while driving and don’t impact the fuel economy that much. Also, low-profile racks will allow you to easily load or unload things and park easily in low garages.
- Other Issues
The other things that you may keep in mind are the price, ease of installation, color, accessories included in the package, etc.
Is Having a Roof Rack Risky? Expert Opinion
Having a roof rack is not risky if you install it properly. You need to follow the instruction carefully and make sure that you’ve set up it in the right way. If the rack is loose, it may cause serious accidents.
However, you’ll have to keep several other things in mind. When you install a roof rack, the overhead clearance is decreased. So, while parking in low garages, you should keep this in mind.
Also, driving with a roof rack installed can be risky when you drive at a high speed. It makes the vehicle less stable at a high speed.
If you don’t want to face any risky situation, check the safety tips below.
Roof Rack Safety Tips
To make your roof rack experience safe and enjoyable, follow the safety tips below-
- Try to get a roof rack that directly fits your vehicle. Using additional clamps or things like this may enhance the risk.
- Install the rack properly and tightly.
- While putting weight on the rack, make sure that the weight is spread evenly. This ensures better control while driving.
- Don’t put more weight than the maximum weight rated. If possible, try to keep the weight a bit less than that. Be sure about the weight by using a weight machine if possible.
- Make sure that the weights are secured tightly.
- When the rack is loaded, drive slowly when turning and consider a bit extra braking distance.
- Be careful while passing underthings with low clearance.
- Keep the tires correctly inflated. Make sure that the tires have the correct grip.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does attaching a roof rack void my vehicle warranty?
It depends on the vehicle model and manufacturer. Some roof racks don’t need any drilling in the installation process. In such cases, the warranty is not voided. But the installation process of some roof racks includes drilling. In those cases, normally the warranty might be voided. Check your vehicle’s warranty terms and conditions to know about it.
Can I get a car wash with my rack installed?
We don’t normally suggest this. There are reasons. A collision might happen between the rack and car wash machinery which may damage the car wash and your vehicle roof. Also, if the rack is installed, any stain or dirt under the mounting pads might not be cleaned properly. So, for the safety and cleanliness of your vehicle, you shouldn’t get a car wash with the roof rack installed.
Do roof racks make the vehicle slower?
There won’t be any visible difference in the speed if an aluminum roof rack is installed. When it is empty, the fuel economy is not affected that much. But when you carry things with the help of the racks, you’ll see a noticeable difference in fuel economy and speed. It is obvious because you’re adding weight.
Do I need special tools to install a roof rack?
No, you won’t need any special tools while installing a roof rack. In most cases, a screwdriver or an Allen wrench is enough to install a roof rack. For some complex installations, you may need a drill, pushpin, jigsaw, Torx driver, etc. If you don’t have any, you can take assistance from a professional.
Does the shape of the rack matter?
The shape of the roof rack matters because it has a relation with the aerodynamics of the overall vehicle. So, the shape has an influence on wind noise, fuel efficiency, and more things like these.
Final Verdict
So, these are the top 5 best roof racks for Jeep Grand Cherokee in my eyes. I’ve done thorough research to select mine and these 5 grabbed my attention. In the end, I’ve decided to pick the crossbar roof rack from BrightLines because of its quality and durability. It was a great decision indeed.
But you can pick one from other too if you want. No matter which one you select, make sure that you’re careful while installing, loading, and driving. Being careful and maintaining the rack properly will help you to avoid accidents and use it for a long time.
