Jeep Gladiator Roof Racks

Best Jeep Gladiator Roof Racks

Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack Kit For Jeep Gladiator JT 2019-2022

Manufactured in South Africa, this rack has been tested in the toughest off road trails, excelling in every department. You can bet your Jeep Gladiator will be able to carry whatever you need.

This platform rack kit contains all the components needed to mount the Slimline II cargo carrying rack to a Jeep Gladiator JT including the Slimline II Tray (1425mm x 1560mm), the Jeep Extreme Mounting System and a Wind Deflector.

No drilling is required to install it. This rack also allows you to remove the freedom panels and works with the hard top roof on or off. Talk about versatility. To install it the Front Runner extreme mounting system bolts to the roll bar with middle and rear brackets.

As to the load rating, this Jeep Gladiator roof rack has a 660 lbs weight capacity, allowing you to carry anything.

Eezi-Awn K9 Roof Rack For Jeep Gladiator

Another South African brand, Eezi-Awn is a roof rack powerhouse. The K9 system is one of the best in the market, featuring feet on both sides of the rack platform, that will safely attach to the gutters of the Jeep Gladiator JT. This also means that no drilling is required.

The K9 Roof Rack System from Eezi-Awn is one of the thinnest, lightest and most aerodynamic platform roof racks in the market, perfect for Jeep Gladiator truck owners looking for a lower profile roof rack.

Made from matte black powder-coated, extruded aluminum with fully-welded joints (not bolts), the low-weight K9 offers an infinite number of gear organization configurations. 

This roof rack features a 500 lbs dynamic weight capacity, meaning the static weight capacity is of easily over 1,000 lbs.

Crossbars For Jeep Gladiator

The type of roof rack that you end up getting is entirely up to you. Depending on your budget, as well as on your needs, you have the chance of getting a full platform roof rack, a half rack (basically half platform roof rack) or crossbars. They are all different prices, offer different solutions, benefits or limitations.

A full platform roof rack for your Jeep Gladiator will generally be more expensive, from $1,000 upwards (generally). A half platform rack is cheaper, however, it only serves certain purposes as it's harder to carry in it things such as roof top tents, or doesn't have as big of a footprint for you to mount more things.

Then come the cross-bars, and these are or tend to be the most affordable as well as easy to install and remove rack systems of all. Most crossbar racks for Jeep Gladiator attach to the gutter. They come with special feet which the industry call "gutter mounts", and then they have a bar that goes from left to right over the roof. Generally, you want to get a 2 bar cross bar system, but you could even get up to 3 depending on your needs.

Generally, installing a set of crossbars over your Jeep Gladiator JT shouldn't take longer than 15 minutes, and the same applies to take them off. On top of that, they tend to have a load rating ranging from 165 lbs to 220 lbs when driving.

That's called the Dynamic weight capacity, and the crossbars or load bars can support between the two of them, 165 lbs up to 220 lbs (depending on the brand and model) of weight when on the road. Once you are parked, it switches to static weight capacity, and they can generally hold three or four times as much.

Rhino-Rack Jeep Gladiator Crossbars

Rhino Rack offers more than just crossbars for the Jeep Gladiator, they also have Pioneer Platforms which you can find below. However, this section is about crossbars and as such we should mention them. Rhino-Rack offers different versions of their crossbars, most notable the Heavy Duty as well as the Vortex bars. The Vortex tend to be the preferred choice for any situation: from overlanding, to mounting kayaks, boards or simply carrying bags or other items.

Now, as mention above, most crossbars for your Gladiator will attach to the gutter, that is both safe and strong enough to carry many things, but Rhino-Rack developed a system called the Backbone, which basically supports the crossbars or platform from inside the roof or hard top of the Gladiator. However, it requires drilling. It's not a complex drilling, but it does require it.

The load rating does increase a lot, as this is one of the best supporting methods, but drilling the hard top comes at your own risk. We recommend checking first the vehicle's owner manual as well as the warranty so you make an informed decision.

Rhino-Rack Vortex RL110 2 Bar Roof Rack For Jeep Gladiator

These rhino Rack crossbars are extremely easy to install and to take off. As explained above, they don't require any drilling, and will use their gutter mount feet to clamp onto the side gutters of your Gladiator.

Easy installation at a reasonable price, they don't make much noise or wind resistance, will allow you to carry kayaks, ski, boards, lumber, ladders, you name it. Keep in mind the weight capacity or rating isn't as high as that of the Backbone system, but still enough for the items or things mentioned before.

If you want to remove the freedom panels, you will have to take these cross-bars off, but it's a very quick and simple task taking you not longer than 15 minutes to. doso. It is also a one person job.

No Drill Roof Rack For A Jeep Gladiator?

This is one of the most common questions out there, not only for a Gladiator, but for other Jeep models too. You might want to be able to remove your freedom panels, you might not want to drill onto your car as you don't feel comfortable doing it, or are scared of damaging it. Well, despite there being excellent roof racks that require drilling, such as the Rhino Rack Backbone crossbar and platform system, there are other outstanding racks that won't require any drilling.

Above we mentioned the Front Runner Slimline II Jeep Gladiator roof rack, but we also carry Rhino-Rack crossbars, Thule crossbars, and the Gobi Stealth.

None of these require drilling and as a matter of fact, you can even remove completely the freedom panels and still use the rack with no roof with your Front Runner Slimline, as well as with the Gobi Stealth rack.

Gobi Stealth Jeep Gladiator Roof Rack

The Gobi Stealth roof rack is one of the best in the market. They are made in USA, with a no drill system, patented design, and a dynamic weight capacity (when driving) of 300 lbs, which translates to a static weight capacity of 800 lbs.

This rack secures itself onto different points of your vehicle's chassis, making it completely drill free, reducing any risk of damaging your vehicle. It's 100% welded, no screws hold it together, meaning less noise and rattling. Add the black powder coat, as well as all the additional accessories you can get for it, and this is a top Jeep Gladiator Roof Rack, drill free and ready for the off road adventures.

These roof racks are generally made on order, so do be patient and expect a long lead time of around 6 to even 8 months depending on the time of the year. Our recommendation? Place a backorder as soon as you can, they are worth it.

Jeep Gladiator Roof Rack Accessories

A roof rack might not be enough for your Jeep Gladiator. If you are serious about overlanding, off-road adventures, or simply need to carry equipment, gear or luggage, then there's a few aftermarket accessories you want over your rack. Two of the most common are lights as well as kayak or board carriers. In the following section we'll make sure to cover those.

Jeep Gladiator Roof Rack Lights

You own a Gladiator, are looking to get a rack or got one already, and want to make sure you can mount lights? No worries, we got you covered both with roof rack systems that can mount LED light bars and pods, or with the light bars and pods you want to install to your existing rack or Gladiator.

First you want to make sure that your rack system can actually install an LED light bar or smaller light pods. Most roof rack brands have either the possibility of bolting in lights or have already light bar mounts you can order. Front Runner for example, already has their own light bars, or they sell light mounts that very easily install onto the Slimline. 

Gobi makes a rack that needs an additional light bar setup for lights to be supported, Rhino-Rack allows you to bolt on lights, and in general it's possible to make a custom job and mount the light bar or pod to most racks. So, we will concentrate on the best lights for your Gladiator.

KC Hilites Pro6 Gravity LED 8-Light Light Bar System For Gladiator JT

First things first, this light system by KC Hilites os not compatible with the Mojave Edition.

Second thing, this very specific light system (SKU 91336) does not go onto any roof rack, but will attach with very vehicle specific mounts onto your Gladiator JT from 2019 to 2023 models.

As you can see in the images, it has special systems that attach to the front end of your Gladiator, and hold the lights in place right over the windshield. You can however, purchase only the light bar to mount on any rack system (some customization may be required).

This LED light bar can easily be transformed to your orientation preference, from curved to straight, adjust it as needed, whether a straight or curved arrangement, to adjust to your liking. Don't forget it can have up to 23,000 lumens!

RIGID Industries E-Series Pro 50" Spot/Flood Combo

Rigid Industries literally makes some of. the best LED light bars in the whole world. The E-Series comes in a Spot and Flood combo to make sure that on any given situation you have the right illumination on the trial. Overlanding does require a good light system in case the path is dark, or foggy, and this light bar does the trick.

Despite it not being as affordable as other models, it has a limited lifetime warranty, as well as being able to fit onto pretty much any roof rack you have over your Jeep Gladiator. Sure, this light bar might need some special light bar mounts depending on the rack you have, but it can be installed.

designed and manufactured with an off road use in mind, if you plan to become or you already are a serious overlander, then this light might be your Gladiator's best friend.

Ski & Kayak Rack For Jeep Gladiator

In this section we will cover the kayak and ski rack accessories to mount or install over your Jeep Gladiator roof rack, and make sure you can carry these fun things when you need to.

Front Runner Kayak Carrier For Slimline II Gladiator Rack

This Kayak Rack for Jeep Gladiator works ONLY and exclusively with the Front Runner Slimline II roof rack kit or Front Runner load bars. Therefore, it's really important for you to understand it will not be working with any other brand of rack.

One of the reasons we recommend the Front Runner roof rack for a Jeep Gladiator, is the fact that it has the versatility to install lots of rack accessories to it, such as this kayak rack.

That said, mounting a kayak, board or even canoe is a simple task, thanks to this carrier. It features variable width adjustment, variable angle brace adjustment, padded hull protection and universal small boat compatibility.

Rhino-Rack Kayak & Ski Tie Down

Suitable for most crossbars systems, not only Rhino Rack, but also Thule, this tie down system is ideal for you to be able to keep your kayak, skis or boards tied down properly so they don't fall from your Gladiator.

Of course, you must make sure they are also holding well onto the rack system, preferably with other straps or ropes. It's an affordable solution for you to be able to carry kayaks or other longer boards and items over the roof of your Gladiator.

Jeep Gladiator Roof Rack FAQs

How much weight can my roof rack handle over my Jeep Gladiator?

It depends on your rack system and where it's attaching to. But the quick answer is over 150 lbs wen the vehicle is in motion.

Should I get a drill or non drill roof rack for my Jeep Gladiator?

You're welcome to read the section about this topic above. It depends on your needs when it comes to weight capacity, and if you're handy with power tools.

Can I have a roof rack without the freedom panels?

Yes, a few models allow this!

What can I carry over my Jeep Gladiator roof rack?

Depends on the rack and weight capacity, but from kayaks, to skis, luggage, and roof top tents.

Should I get a platform rack, a half rack or crossbars for my Gladiator?

Crossbars are great for boards or kayaks, full platform racks for larger and heavy items, and half racks allow you to easily remove the freedom panels.

Any more questions?

Send us an email at: info@offroadtents.com or call us at our toll free number: 844-200-3979.

Our customer service team will be happy to answer all of your questions.

All Jeep Gladiator Roof Racks: