Sherpa Needle or Front Runner Rack?

Howdy Y’all,

I’m in the market for a half rack, and it seems like the best options out there are the Sherpa Needle and the Front Runner Slimline II 3/4 rack.

I was curious if any of you have either rack and whether or not you recommend one over the other. My main concern with either is wind noise and water intrusion.

I appreciate your feedback!

 

Having just installed a Sherpa Crestone, I can tell you that their system for keeping water out is really very good. I am assuming that they use the same system throughout their whole line of racks, though. It really is infallible when it comes to water intrusion. Ive had no issues for 3 months now. Wind noise is unnoticeable also. No idea on the Front Runner rack, however.

 

Can't speak on the Needle but I have a sherpa crestone sport. I was impressed. Not only is the design beefy but pieces and hardware are very high quality.

One thing I will say about the Front Runner is they aren't shy about advertising how much weight it can carry...


I know this is the jeep version but still. Their advertising campaigns are wild xD

 

Thanks for the feedback!

 

Full length Slimline II here.

No noticeable wind noise (whistling, turbulence rumble, etc), and I’m not even running a fairing…thing is, for me, the windshield does a good job redirecting the majority of airflow up above the gap between my rack and rooftop. From there I have the recovery boards set forward to continue the windshield angle (and laminar airflow), seems to work well all the way up to very high freeway speeds and when I have boxes on the roof I don’t seem to hear (or feel) and additional buffeting due to the added height so I know airflow is still somewhat smooth.

As for water intrusion, when I installed the rack I made sure to not only silicone bead the mounting footings to the roof mount locations (think gasket) but I also liberally applied sealant inside the mounting bolt wells and bolt threads. Two seasons driving through car wash rain squalls not a single issue.

Downside is the rack’s robustness, it comes with a slightly heavier cost. I think my full length comes in around 60lbs but I use the sides as a hand hold when I climb up on the rear tires to access the boxes…it is very solid, I don’t even feel any flexing of the rack when I do that.

 

Awesome feedback and picture! With this being a heavier rack, did you notice any noticeable MPG hit or change in driving dynamics before putting cargo on it?

 

I watched the install video for the Needle, and am impressed with the roof mounting system, and how simple the installation is. I've read where others have put on a different brand rack, but used the Sherpa mounting feet due to the quality of the mounting brackets & watertight rubber seals.

It didn't say, but is the mounting hardware stainless steel?

 

Yes, per their website, all included hardware is stainless steel.

 

Thank you, happy to be able to provide some feedback.

Just the rack alone it was nearly an immeasurable mpg hit conversely, without any rack at all I didn’t seem to have any MPG gain. LOL



As for driving dynamics, the Pro’s Fox shock system is such a far cry better at dampening overall vs std factory (read:barely no nose dive!) and coupled with the Eibach Pro Lift spring set you’d be hard pressed to ‘feel’ the added mass on the roof. Even kitted out with the boxes and gear (an additional 100 lbs or so) there was a perceptible ‘inertia’ in hard corners. The Eibach spring set added just enough added capacity to offset the weight of all my gear so for a basic (near stock) setup I cannot recommend the combination enough.

 

Awesome, thanks!

 

Sherpa.

I've had my Crestone's since 2020, which was an older design. I had sheared my front adjustable feet while on Red Cone and reached out to them. Drove up to Berthoud mid-trip, initially they were going to just replace the brackets but noticed I had the older design so they decided to completely replaced my rack, free of charge, which included removing my RTT and rewiring some of my scene/camp lights. Never had any issues previously...and since then

 

I have the Needle and love it so far. I considered short rack options from Front Runner, Prinsu, and Victory 4x4 as well. Sherpa won out in the end for its ease of installation. I almost went with Victory 4x4 because I liked the look of the rack, but found out it is made of 3/16 aluminum whereas Sherpa is 1/4. I have not experienced any wind noise nor have I noticed water intrusion.

 

Thanks for the reply and feedback! I like the idea of the Front Runner for all the possible accessories you can mount, but realistically, I feel like the Needle will fit my needs just fine, plus it’s lighter and more low profile.