Roof Racks - any good ones

Why? Curious.

 

Trying to see what aligns with my existing cap rack rails

 

Gotcha, stoked for the Prinsu. Can't wait.

 

So like 6 1/4" from the roof to the top of the rack at the shark fin location ?

 

I guess... go measure your shark fin and then measure exactly 3" above that and that is the height.

 

I'm a big fan of the Frontrunner. Very solid rack. If I save enough pennies, I will replace my OEM bars and basket with a Frontrunner.

 

My satellite receiver is the old style bump not the fin , that's why I asked

 

My input, biased as it may be.

1. Bajarack - I like the look better than frontrunner, I don't like that it is steel and requires freight shipping. Price is pretty good. Low profile.

2. Frontrunner - Excellent product. Would have been the roof rack I went with but I couldn't get over the look. I don't like how far back it sits on the roof. I like the traditional wind deflector look rather than what they have going on. Tons of accessories which makes it great. I feel as though the rack is a little high price wise and that the accessories are very expensive.

3. Gobi - I am sure this is a great product but I just can't understand the price. Feel like for the price it should offer much more.

4. Stock Toyota Rack - Had it. Hated it. Noisier than my prinsu rack with the crossbars deployed and pitiful weight capacity. The curved bars and oval shape made mounting bike trays difficult as well as other thule accessories. In the aftermath I really don't even like the look that much.

5. Yakima and Thule - I really just dont see any value here. I have seen various threads where people have bought full thule setups for 4-500 dollars and all you have are two crossbars.

6. Prinsu - A little partial here because I made it to give me exactly what I wanted. Identical features to frontrunner at a little better price. Lack of accessories but universal compatibility with other brands of accessories for those who like to be creative. Newer product so not as tested and tried as some others that have been around for years but great reviews so far. Competitive pricing.

 

Gotcha. Measuring from where the rack meets the top of the truck near the back of the cab to the top of the rack (only place I can get the measurement from near the antenna) it is approx 6 1/4 inches. I forgot my old one had the bump style antenna also.

 

My $650 Yakima set up



One 17lb Clyclocross bike on one side and one 36lb DH bike on the other. They never even move on the rack.







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I am surprised you say no wind noise with the front runner. I haven't heard that from other owners. Most I had heard said it added noise but wasn't bad unless you took the deflector off.

 

I have the Frontrunner Rack and I can say for a fact that I have "NO" wind noise with their design. I probably live in the windiest state in the Nation as well as we have constant trade winds blowing 15-20mph. I do like the look of the Prinsu as well as a member here on Oahu is making the racks. One of the members he sold a rack too is now complaining of wind howling at Freeway speeds.

TW members DefconBrix and Skygear swear by their Front Runner racks and have some of the baddest rigs on the planet. I like all the available options for my Front Runner. I don't like piecing together things to get what I need, but that's just me..

It the Swiss Army Watch of roof racks IMO.

 

Thanks

 

I think it depends a lot on what you plan to use it for. Mine is installed and awaiting an RTT. I pieced my Thule rack together from the great world of Craigslist/Ebay. Obviously there is no guarantee there, but I was able to find the foot pack, fit kit, cross bars, and a ski/board rack. Total spent - $250. Got it all together within 2 weeks of starting to look.

I am very happy with it, but would have NEVER spent the $500+ retail.

my .02

 

Definitely not saying the front runner isn't everything you mentioned, they are great racks from the looks and specs and are certainly well built. Like I said the only reason I didn't go with them in the beginning was due to aesthetics in the front, a slightly taller finished height, and the price. If those three things changed I would probably quit making racks and recommend their product. But thats my opinion.

Wind noise is also very subjective to what other mods you have on your truck and personal tolerance. If defcon or skygear said they didn't hear any wind noise from the roof rack it wouldn't mean much to me they both have 35" all terrain or mud tires along with other items that create noise. I don't hear any noise with my personal rack cause my tires are extremely noisy. I know there is some wind noise there though. That's why I was interested to hear from rear view mirror as he has a truck that is closer to stock.

 

No noticeable noise at all with the deflectors on.

 

np

 

My tires are aggressive MT and they howl but I still hear no noise from above. I'm sure if I were running stock tires I might hear something but this is the quietest rack I've personally owned.

 

So the Front Runner comes pre-assembled ?

 

My bad, I didn't notice. That's my case but I know that some of my customers with completely stock trucks have said they can hear it noise slightly. I can't hear anything except the howl of my tires and the squeak of the seal on my shell and I am pretty picky with noises.