Roof Rack, Cargo Box and Kayak Carrier for 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk  

Question:

Expert Reply:

We can help you with a roof rack for your Cherokee Trailhawk to allow use of a rooftop cargo box and kayak carrier. We can also offer you a suggestion for an additional cargo-carrying option.

The linked page displays all roof rack fits for each of the two ways a Cherokee roof can be configured, either a bare roof with no fixtures or a roof that has raised front-to-back side rails like yours. Just click on your roof type to see suitable roof racks.

If the roof were bare then you could use the 54-inch aerodynamic bars in the Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero rack made of parts # RRVA137B-2, # RRRLKVA and # DK398. The linked video shows how this rack's bars extend out past the rack feet to maximize your usable roof space. Since the roof has the side rails use the 58-inch aero bar rack from Malone, part # MPG216.

Now for a rooftop cargo box and kayak carrier to fit either of these aero bar racks I suggest the following.

Among the best values in a rooftop box is the Thule Force XT # TH6356B, which has a 11-cubic-foot capacity. The Force includes locks and features easy-to-use Quick-Grip mounting clamps for fast installation. The box itself weighs 32-lbs and it is 24-3/4-inches wide.

You might want to consider the handy folding step # TE97FR from Telesteps. This comes fully-assembled, it weighs almost nothing and yet gives you a foot of additional reach for loading and unloading your cargo. I own one of these and it is helpful at car side, in the garage and for general household use like getting to those top kitchen cabinets.

For a kayak carrier I suggest the Thule Stacker # TH830 which works with one to four kayaks, roof space permitting, of course. But if you would like a kayak carrier that provides assisted loading consider the Malone DownLoader J-style fold-down kayak carrier # MPG114MD.

If you still need more space and/or weight capacity for all your items you might consider a hitch-mounted cargo carrier. Curt hitch # C13172 installs on your Trailhawk with no drilling, offers a discrete appearance thanks to its concealed cross tube but it offers a 750-lb tongue weight capacity. Please see the linked video. This means you could use a 500-lb-rated hitch carrier like # C18152 for your heaviest items and leave the roof capacity for the kayak and lighter items inside the Thule cargo box.

expert reply by: Adam R

0