This Months Body Product Review:
RF Technology "MaxRack" Storage System
for Jeep CJ, YJ, TJ and Samurai Vehicles
By: Bob Fleming
If you own a Jeep or a Samurai, you know the problems
that arise when you try and pack for an extended excursion. Jeeps are notorious for
their lack of storage space, especially for the larger bulkier items like sleeping
bags, ice chests and tents. This can make for some very interesting and frustrating
experiences, when trying to get your camping gear or other essentials to a site well
off the beaten path.
Various manufacturers offer a variety of solutions to try and deal with the lack of
storage or cargo carrying capacity issue. Some offer racks that mount in the rear
receiver bracket. Of course, they are assuming that you have a rear receiver
installed. The receiver racks provide additional carrying capacity, but severely
hamper any serious off-road capability of the vehicle. This is due to the long
overhang in the rear and the low ground clearance typical of these types of racks.
Another solution being offered, is a rack that mounts above the spare tire usually
called a trail rack. These racks are
substantially smaller than the trail racks and
therefore are limited in the size and weight they can support. Another consideration
that must be made is that the objects being carried are now located at chest or head
height. This means, if you are carrying an ice chest or cooler and need to get into
the chest, you cannot see what you are reaching for, without removing the chest from
the rack. This can be a real pain.
The other option that has been available for a few years now, is the Safari style
rack. These are full-length overhead roof racks. Again, these offer a tremendous
carrying capacity, but again at a sacrifice of accessibility.
The trail racks and safari racks, while offering carrying capacity increase the
overall height of the vehicle. Carrying heavy items in an overhead rack can also
decrease the off-camber capability and handling, as well subject the cargo to damage
from any low hanging tree limbs or rock ledges. Enter the new "MaxRack" from RF
Technologies.
The MaxRack is a cargo carrying system designed to fit inside the body pan and
rollbar assembly on Jeep Wranglers, both YJ and TJ. Future designs are in the
works for CJ and Scrambler models, as well as the Suzuki Samurai. This keeps the
load at the right height for accessibility and without detracting from the normal
handling and clearance of the vehicle. The MaxRack has a cargo rating in excess of
400 pounds. That’s more than enough to carry virtually any type of camping gear
you think of, or the carcass of just about any game animal you might be hunting.
I installed a MaxRack on my own ’97 TJ and used it during my trip to the Southwest
4x4 run in Clayton, OK. This run involved some serious rock climbing, negotiating
very narrow trails in both woods and rocks. I carried three ice chests, a Hi-Lift
jack and other gear in the rack. This left the area under the dust cover for those
items I did not want left out in the elements, or simply wanted to be able to keep
in an "out of sight" area, such as tools, sleeping bags and clothing. My wife
traveled with me and we were able not only to carry all of our gear, but also some
gear of other trail riders as well.
The MaxRack is designed for use with the backseat either folded down, or removed
altogether. The current design also cannot be used with the standard soft top
installed. The rack can be used with the factory or an after-market hard top in
place, however, as well as with the bikini or safari style soft-tops. The
manufacturer says that a design is in the works that will allow for use with a full
soft top in place, but no date has been forthcoming as to the availability of the
new design. The fact that the rack design precludes the use of the rear seat and
the full soft-top may be a deterrent to some, but since I usually wheel solo or
with just my wife, this was no problem. Also, I use a Bestop safari top, windjammer
and dust cover system, so I already have my rear seat removed and do not use the
factory soft-top.
The MaxRack is made out of 1" square steel tubing, with 6" walls, an expanded metal
floor and a black powder-coat finish. I found the workmanship to be first class and
the overall design seems to be well thought-out. The expanded metal flooring provides
for virtual infinite tie-down configurations. I mounted my Hi-Lift jack, using ½"x2"
bolts, and never had to worry about it moving, coming loose, or being inaccessible.
This is always important, as we had to use our jack to assist another trail rider.
This arrangement also allowed me to move the jack carrying from the rear bumper to a
higher location, eliminating the occasional scrapping of the jack foot on the rocks.
On the TJ models, the MaxRack utilizes the factory soft-top rib arm attachment brackets
as mounting points and, also bolts to the body and frame at the rear rollbar attach
points. This rack is not going to move or come loose, no matter what the trail throws
at it, but best of all, it only takes about 20 minutes to install or remove from the
vehicle. Of course, this does not account for the time to remove a soft-top or hard
top and replace after the rack is installed.
The MaxRack design has been copyrighted and a patent is pending. For more information
on the MaxRack, please contact,
RF Technologies
PO Box 69
Pinehurst, TX 77362
| NOTE: All ratings on a scale of 1 to 4 with flat tires equal to a half. |
| Description |
Notes |
Rating |
| Ease of Install |
Took about 20 - 30 minutes for two people. Could be done in 45 minutes by a single person. Great instructions and went together perfectly. |
  |
| Ease of Use |
Worked as advertised. |
|
| Performance |
I no longer have to make choices about what gear I have to leave behind. |
|
| Durability |
Too soon to tell, but from the craftsmanship and quality it should last forever. |
|
| Appearance |
Everyone who’s seen my rig really likes the looks of the installed MaxRack. All the parts where painted perfectly. The only drawback is the loss of the rear seat. |
|
| Drivability |
N/A |
N/A |
| Comfort |
N/A |
N/A |
| Price in comparison to related products |
Only slightly more costly than the alternatives, but well worth it when you realize the advantages it provides. |
|
| Was it worth it??? |
Yup!!! |
|
| Tools Required |
Standard socket set and a T-55 Torx Bit |
| Editors Notes |
I would highly recommend this rack system to anyone who wants to
improve the cargo capacity without sacrificing off-road drivability...BF |
|
|