Next Level Performance
September 20, 2026 • 11 min read
Our Verdict
The ARB Base Rack is the strongest winter foundation for a 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler JL — it turns your roof into secure, above-the-slush storage for skis, a rooftop tent, and cargo boxes.
Bolt the hybrid steel-and-aluminum ARB Base Rack to your JL hardtop, add a Thule Motion 3 XXL box for skis and boards, then pack an ARB winch and TRED HD traction boards so a snowed-in trailhead never ends the trip. Here is exactly how to build it.
Shop Our Top Pick →A Jeep Wrangler JL roof rack is the single most useful winter upgrade you can make when ski season and short, snowy days collide with a full cabin. The JL swallows people and dogs quickly, and once you add winter boots, chains, and a cooler there is nowhere left for skis, boards, or a duffel of wet gear. Mounting a dedicated roof platform — and building a small recovery kit around it — keeps the interior dry, the sightlines clear, and the trailhead reachable when the plow has not been through yet. At NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, this is the winter build we spec most often for JL owners heading north, and the ARB Base Rack is the part we start with every time.
Why Your Jeep Wrangler JL Needs a Roof Rack for Winter
A roof rack matters most in winter because it moves bulky, wet, and awkward gear out of the cabin and up above the slush line. On a 2018-2023 Wrangler JL, the flat hardtop roof is prime real estate: a rigid platform there lets you carry a rooftop cargo box, a rooftop tent for a ski-trip basecamp, traction boards, and a spare fuel or water can without sacrificing a single seat. The trade-off is that anything on the roof raises your center of gravity and adds wind noise, so the goal is a low-profile, purpose-built platform — not a pile of ratchet straps.
The ARB Base Rack is a modular platform system. You buy a base rack sized to your roof (this kit is the 61 in x 51 in / 155 cm x 130 cm size), a vehicle-specific mount kit that bolts it securely to the JL, a wind deflector to cut noise and drag, and guard rails that keep gear from sliding off. ARB rates the Base Rack for a 165 lb (75 kg) dynamic load while driving, with a much higher static rating for camping loads once you are parked — enough for a loaded cargo box or a two-person rooftop tent.
The ARB Base Rack bolts to the JL hardtop as a low-profile winter platform.
What You Need: The Winter Gear-Hauling Kit
A complete winter roof setup is four parts working together: a rack to mount everything, a box to keep skis and soft gear dry and locked, and recovery tools so a snow-covered forest road does not strand you. Below is the exact kit we build, in the order you should install and pack it. Every product is in stock at NLP Performance and ships to the lower 48.
1. ARB Base Rack (61 in x 51 in) — The Foundation
The ARB Base Rack is a hybrid steel-and-aluminum platform engineered to survive corrugated trails, salted highways, and years of winter grime. The kit includes the base rack, a JL-specific mount kit, a front wind deflector, and front 3/4 guard rails. The slotted deck accepts ARB and universal accessory brackets, so you can add awning mounts, shovel and traction-board holders, or a rooftop tent without drilling. Expect the platform to run around $1,740.
Key Specifications
What We Like
- + Vehicle-specific no-drill mount kit for the JL keeps it rattle-free on washboard snow roads
- + Steel-and-aluminum build shrugs off road salt and freeze-thaw cycles
- + Slotted deck adds tents, awnings, and traction-board mounts without drilling
Things to Consider
- – Adds height and wind noise — watch garage and drive-through clearances
- – 165 lb dynamic limit means heavy cargo boxes must be packed thoughtfully
How to Install the ARB Base Rack on a Wrangler JL: Step by Step
Installing the ARB Base Rack on a JL is a no-drill, bolt-on job that takes about 60-90 minutes with basic hand tools. Work in a heated garage if you can — cold hardware and stiff fingers make roof work slow. Here is the sequence we use in the shop.
- Dry-fit the base rack. Set the 61 in x 51 in platform on the hardtop and confirm the mount points line up with the JL’s factory roof holes. Do not tighten anything yet.
- Attach the vehicle-specific mount legs. Bolt the JL mount kit to the factory locations, snugging each fastener by hand so the rack can still shift for alignment.
- Square and torque. Center the platform side to side, then torque the mount hardware to ARB’s spec in a cross pattern so the load is even. A calibrated torque wrench matters here — over-tightening cracks alloy, under-tightening lets it walk on rough snow roads.
- Fit the wind deflector. Install the front deflector to cut the drone and drag you would otherwise hear at highway speed — a real difference on a long drive north.
- Add the guard rails and accessory mounts. Bolt on the front 3/4 rails, then any cargo-box feet, traction-board brackets, or awning mounts before you load gear.
- Re-check after the first drive. After 30-50 miles, re-torque every fastener. Vibration and thermal cycling always settle hardware on the first winter trip.
The slotted deck and guard rails accept box feet and traction-board mounts.
2. Thule Motion 3 XXL — Lock Your Skis Away Dry
A rooftop box is what turns a bare rack into real winter storage. The Thule Motion 3 XXL offers up to 610 liters (about 22 cubic feet) of sealed space and carries skis up to 210 cm, so a family’s skis, poles, and boots ride outside while the cabin stays warm and dry. It opens from both sides, locks with Thule’s SlideLock system, and mounts to crossbars or a compatible platform. Rated to about 165 lb (75 kg) of cargo, it lists around $1,250 and keeps everything salt-free and secure at the lodge.
The Motion 3 XXL swallows skis, boards, and duffels in a sealed, lockable shell.
Winter Recovery Gear Every Wrangler Should Carry
Recovery gear is not optional once you leave plowed pavement in winter — it is what gets you home. Snow hides ruts, ice steals traction, and a two-track forest road can turn into a one-way trip fast. Two tools cover the vast majority of self-recovery scenarios: a winch for when there is a tree or anchor to pull against, and a set of traction boards for when there is not.
3. ARB Winch 12000LB Synthetic — Pull Yourself Out
The ARB 12,000 lb winch is rated to pull 12,000 lb (5,443 kg) and ships with lightweight synthetic rope that stores less energy than steel cable if it ever fails — safer and easier to handle with cold, gloved hands. Its sealed motor and gearbox are built for water, snow, and mud intrusion, and it needs a winch-capable front bumper or mount on your JL. Budget around $1,520, and pair it with a wireless remote so you can operate it from a safe distance in the cold.
Synthetic rope handles better than steel cable in freezing, gloved-up conditions.
4. ARB TRED HD Recovery Boards — Instant Traction
TRED HD recovery boards are the fastest way to regain grip when a tire spins on ice or packed snow. Wedge a board under the drive wheels, ease onto the molded traction nodules, and the reinforced glass-filled nylon bites where rubber cannot. At roughly $290 a pair they are the cheapest insurance in the kit, they need no anchor point, and they mount flat on the ARB Base Rack so they are always within reach.
Winter Wrangler Build Kit: Side-by-Side
Here is how the four components compare at a glance — what each part does in winter, its headline spec, and its price. Prices update live from our store; tap any product to see current pricing and promotions.
| Kit | Type | Winter Job | Headline Spec | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARB Base Rack 61x51Top Pick | Roof platform | Carries skis, tent & boxes above the slush | 165 lb dynamic load | $1,737.00 |
| Thule Motion 3 XXL | Rooftop cargo box | Locks skis & wet gear away dry | 610 L / skis to 210 cm | $1,249.95 |
| ARB Winch 12,000 lb | Recovery winch | Self-recovery against a fixed anchor | 12,000 lb pull | $1,515.63 |
| ARB TRED HD Boards | Traction boards | Instant grip on ice & packed snow | Reinforced nylon, no anchor needed | $289.95 |
A complete winter setup: platform, cargo box, winch, and traction boards.
How to Load a Roof Rack Safely for Snow and Ice
Load a winter roof rack heaviest items low and centered, lighter items to the outside, and everything strapped down twice. A high, uneven roof load changes how a tall vehicle like the JL behaves in a slide, so keep total roof weight under the rack’s 165 lb dynamic rating and drive with extra following distance. Put dense gear (recovery boards, tools) flat on the platform and reserve the cargo box for bulky-but-light items like skis, boots, and duffels. Check every strap and latch after your first fuel stop — cold shrinks straps and vibration loosens buckles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will an ARB Base Rack fit a 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler JL?
Yes. This ARB Base Rack kit includes a Jeep Wrangler JL-specific mount kit that bolts to the hardtop’s factory points with no drilling. It fits 2018-2023 JL two- and four-door hardtop models. If you run a soft top, you will need a different mounting solution, so confirm your top style before ordering.
How much weight can a Jeep Wrangler JL roof rack hold in winter?
The ARB Base Rack is rated for a 165 lb (75 kg) dynamic load while driving, which includes the weight of any cargo box plus its contents. When parked, the static rating is much higher — enough for a two-person rooftop tent — but the roof of the vehicle itself is the real limit. Keep driving loads under 165 lb and pack heavy items low and centered.
Do I need a roof box, or can I strap skis directly to the rack?
A roof box is strongly recommended for winter. The Thule Motion 3 XXL holds skis up to 210 cm in a sealed, lockable shell that keeps road salt, slush, and thieves off your gear. Strapping skis to bare rails works in a pinch but exposes them to salt spray and makes them easy to steal at a trailhead or lodge.
What recovery gear should I carry in a Jeep in winter?
At minimum, carry traction boards and a winch. Traction boards like the ARB TRED HD give instant grip on ice or packed snow with no anchor needed, while a 12,000 lb winch pulls you out when there is a tree or another vehicle to anchor to. Add a wireless winch remote, gloves, and a recovery strap to round out the kit.
Does a roof rack hurt fuel economy and add wind noise?
Yes, a roof platform adds aerodynamic drag that lowers fuel economy and can create wind noise, especially at highway speed. The ARB Base Rack kit includes a front wind deflector to reduce both. Removing the cargo box when it is not needed recovers most of the lost efficiency, since the empty platform is far less draggy than a loaded box.
How long does it take to install an ARB Base Rack on a JL?
Plan on about 60-90 minutes with basic hand tools and a torque wrench. It is a bolt-on, no-drill install using the vehicle-specific mount kit. Work in a heated space in winter, torque the hardware in a cross pattern to ARB’s spec, and re-torque everything after your first 30-50 miles.
Build Your Winter-Ready Wrangler
Shop the ARB Base Rack and hundreds more roof racks, cargo boxes, and recovery gear at NLP Performance.
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