Prinsu = bad?

To be clear, by no means is this a dig at Prinsu. Just making the title grab your attention so you click, like those YouTube videos.

for the longest time I’ve wanted a Prinsu. They look incredible

however, recently I came across someone with a Sherpa rack and got a close look at it; apparently it’s wider inches and stronger thicker metal, and the Prinsu can bend under load like a tent (not that I plan on putting one up there right away)

So, if other companies are offering similar racks with thicker metal (adds weight) and wider area, is Prinsu even the best anymore?
Which one is the best?

so far I only know of 3:
-Prinsu
-Sherpa (similar cost)
-KC HiLites, optional lights (expensive)
and am guessing there may be more

I think if you’re gonna drop $700 on a rack might as well do it right and pick the strongest one
At that point the limiting factor would probably be the body/cab/roof/pillars of the Tacoma itself in terms of weight it can handle of both a rack itself and cargo

I will research more but am curious to know your thoughts on which ones are out there and which one is best/king of them all

I believe Prinsu just came out with some nice metal handles that bolt onto their rack and have integrated lights inside them, which other racks may or may not also have

 

I only have experience with Prinsu, and it’s relatively limited. I’ve had mine for about 2-3 months now, no issues. Personally I like the light-weight aspect of it. Tons of guys running them, haven’t heard any horror stories and everything bolted up perfectly. Idk about putting a tent on one, my tent sits on my rci bed rack and that thing is sturdy. The Prinsu is just for additional recovery and storage plus makes a great night stand outside of the tent. Heard a lot of good things about front runner also, but don’t know anyone personally who’s running one.

 

https://www.uptopoverland.com/

@upTOPoverland

 

Victory 4x4

All the knock off Prinsu brands out there.

 

Shout-out to the DIY thread here so you can build your own if so inclined using whatever thickness metal you desire:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-prinsu-style-shell-rack.521186/

 

seen that before
but it's a shell rack not a roof rack

 

Same shit, different toilet

 

We at Boreal are an unapologetic Prinsu knockoff. Why did we do it? I bought an early Prinsu, and the hardware and finish was pretty sub-par. Our design is a prinsu knock-off, but with 40mm bars, better finish quality, full stainless and alloy hardware with countersunk washers, etc.

 

Been running my Prinsu 4 years now no issues. It's had many things strapped to it, no issues yet. I prefer the lighter weight approach to mods myself.

 

just be aware that the limiting load factor is the truck's capacity, not the racks. Heavier rack = less "usable" weight.

 

exactly
I think there is only so much weight the roof and pillars can hold up there

not to mention overall total weight added to the truck weighing it down