Ask the Editors: Hood Rack Pros and Cons
Pros and cons? You got it.
Absolutely – hood racks can be a very useful edition to the front end of a SxS but unless they arrive factory installed, come with a few downsides. First let’s talk about the benefits:
Cargo right where you can see it – making sure everything is tight and secure is a snap when it’s right in your line of sight.
Free up space elsewhere – a hood rack frees up space in your SxS’s bed and interior by offering you an alternative.
Additional protection – many hood racks integrate brush guard rails that extend down to protect the front of the machine in the woods.
The downsides are few and most have to do with instances of installation and compatibility. Many aftermarket companies offer hits designed to fit a variety of makes and models, meaning simply bolting on and heading out is extremely unlikely.
Additionally we have heard of many racks interfering with aftermarket windshields. Lastly, there is a limit to how much you can secure before you start to obstruct your own vision.
The bottom line, really, is that if you have a factory option that can be installed by the dealership, you can sidestep a lot of the cons associated with running a hood rack. If going aftermarket is your preferred method, do your homework; read reviews online first and don’t be afraid ask questions before purchasing concerning compatibility and ease of mounting.
