Want opinion on roof rack: for bicycles

Hi all,

Newb here, best I could find in the search was: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/factory-roofrack-vs-aftermarket.406815/ and I'm looking less for off-road equipment than bikes.

I am about to take possession of a 2016. I had wanted the factory roof rack, but this one doesn't have it. So, can add at the dealer....or not. I am really impressed with the OEM one.

Assuming I was going to get the factory rack, I haven't even tried to see if Thule, Rocky Mounts, etc make towers/crossbars for the cab. I am also going to order a snugtop rebel, so could add a rack there, but I'm not sure if I like racks on the topper as much.

I typically use a Thule T2 hitch rack for 2 bikes. However, one is converted for a fatbike, and I'm trying to plan in case I need to carry 3 bikes. I would not anticipate putting a fatbike on the roof or topper, so the heaviest this would be 20lbs / bike times two bikes on roof. The other option is wait and see if I ever do need to carry 3 bikes - this could be years.

Thoughts? Opinions? What might you do?
Thanks!

 

I'd get a rack for the topper hands down. I think they look better and stepping on the tailgate makes loading/unloading much easier than on the cab IMO.

 

I should point out that I am subtracting predators, adding tube steps, so I anticipate the opposite to actually be true. If on the topper, I'd be stepping on the tires, I think.
At 6'5" - not a huge concern either way.

 

Well at the opposite dimensions (5'6), it is a concern, lol!

 

Above all, no matter WHERE you mount them, DON'T forget the bikes are up there when pulling into your garage...or into a low clearance gas station!

 

Those roof racks are notorious for leaks into the cab:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dealership-screwed-up-my-tacoma.407863
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oem-roof-rack-leak.322499
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/water-leaking-into-truck-after-car-wash.135862

Might be better to consider the KB VooDoo bike mounts:

 

Why on the roof? Bed full?

Why not bigger rack choice for rear?

@Mobtown Offroad front receiver bar and an other rack up front?

http://mobtownoffroad.com/product/front-recovery-bar/

@KB Voodoo outboard bike racks, built for you and your topper? Pictured in post 6

 

Potentially. I'm thinking about camping trips with a full bed including dogs and child.

Indeed!!! I know some racks have a mirror tag reminder.
A teammate of mine lost his bike when his wife did that.

I'm switching from a 1 ton Cummins, so I did used to keep the bikes in the bed and it all fit pulling into the garage. Not true with the Thule after big trips.
I will definitely miss that.

With a topper, my seatposts will NOT fit in the bed on a forkmount, which I had in the dodge.
If it is one bike, it can (and probably most often will) lay on the bedrug secured down.

Yikes!!! I asked the dealer about this three times and they assured this was never an issue. Good to know.
I guess I'll rule that out. Those racks sure are cool looking, though.

 

I should say that yeah, Thule makes a 2 bike extender for the T2, but man that is big.
I somewhat sweat the leverage on the T2 with 2 bikes, and I'll confess I'm ALWAYS afraid of getting rear-ended. My dodge was rear ended twice (no damage) without bikes. People just seemed to find me, and usually just parked at a light.

 

The bikes on the roof racks might be cool looking, but they will play heck with your gas mileage due to the increased drag. I'd go with either rear racks, or front and rear receiver racks. Just don't block too much airflow, and it will be fine.

 

I would go with a hitch rack in that situation. Then you can always transfer it to another vehicle that also has a hitch. Most now a days will fit 1 1/4" and 2" receivers.

I personally think it would be goofy seeing a Tacoma with 3 bikes on the roof

 

I was sort of thinking 2 using my existing T2 and then one on the roof. Used to routinely fit 4 bikes on my old XJ Cherokee, though.

 

I'd still consider a rack on the topper rather then on the cab roof. Just too many issues with leaks from the roof rack on the cab for me to be really comfortable with it, but it IS your truck...

 

You guys have DEFINITELY talked me out of the OEM one.

I can't really find feet/towers from Thule or Yakima or Saris or whatever right now. I'll look at the topper rack option, but may just go without. This is a theoretical problem for now.

 

I've never heard any problems about OEM ones leaking. Usually I trust OEM ones way better than the junk aftermarket ones I install at work. Of course the ones we install are for smaller passenger vehicles and the ones people are installing here are heavy duty and off-road style ones.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dealership-screwed-up-my-tacoma.407863
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oem-roof-rack-leak.322499
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/water-leaking-into-truck-after-car-wash.135862

 

haha i did forget one time and i thankfully only hit a mildly large limb in our driiveway. i got lucky. others havent been! so thats a +1 for not not forgetting that their up there. it could royally fuck up your day if you ruin a $3k bike and a $2k topper.

 

The first two seem like installer error.


The third one the guy doesn't have a roof rack at all. They stated that it could be from the crush nuts that are installed from the factory. Manufactures usually seal these pretty good. Toyota if I remember correctly puts a tape over top for an added layer of protection too (not sure fully on the Tacoma) plus you have the weather stripping there. If something leaks there the water normally runs down one of the pillars. Remember water will take the least resistant path. And don't forget about gravity. So odds of it leaking down his sunglasses holder are minimal. To me sounds like a windshield leak.

So please show me a leaks from a OEM roof racks or the mounting holes. I'm sure there may be one or two but show me a well know and documented problem

 

So thoughts on the OEM are mixed...

 

I don't think anyone that has purchased the factory rack has real complaints. They are easy to install yourself. If you do have a concern for a possible leak just simply apply a little silicone when screwing the cross bars in