roof rack pros and cons

So, I'm in the market for a roof rack and am having a tough time deciding what's the best option for me. I know they all suffer from a small amount of wind noise but having owned vehicles with roof racks before, that's a non issue. I've been most closely looking at warrior roof racks and the prinsu cabrack. Does anybody have experiences with both and can compare the two? I love the look of the prinsu, but the idea of having round tubes that are Yakima attachment compatible sounds great too. I have no desire to run a light bar up top and I do someday plan to own a RTT. From what I can see, they're both more than capable of handling that sort of weight, and with the appropriate crossbar configuration on the prinsu, they'd be within 50 bucks of each other. Help me out, guys! Are there any features of Baja racks or frontrunner racks that could sway my decision? If it helps, I have a Jason TREK shell thats about 5 inches taller than the cab, so ideally the rack will sit flush or below that.

 

Do you want a basket, or just a rack? The OEM rack bars swing out across the cab when I'm use, and swing to parallel with the cab when not in use to minimize wind noise and mpg loss. Load rating is not exceptional though.

 

I don't really need a basket and I'm pretty sure the oem rack can't support a rtt

 

Missed that. No it definitely wont, I think it is rated at something like 75lbs. Another other option would to be getting a bed top tent or bed tent.

 

Other than looks, and a place to mount a light bar in some cases, is their any valid use for an OEM roof rack with its minimal load capacity?

I'm waffling between wanting one and NOT wanting something that I'll regret later.

 

my oe rack works well with snow board racks for all my fishing gear.

 

I know you mentioned the Prinsu rack (and that is a good one that I gave serious thought to) but if you are open for others I HIGHLY recommend FrontRunner Vehicle Outfitters racks. I can not say enough good things about them. They mount directly to the factory mounting holes on the roof and I can honestly say that with the rack unloaded there is absolutely no wind noise what-so-ever. I know that sounds like BS but there really is no wind noise due to the design of the rack and fairings underneath. Of course anything you put on top will affect that. I prefer the cleaner look of the FrontRunner myself but that is subjective. There are a endless supply of accessories that you can add and take off at any given time. It's one of the most versatile racks I've "personally" found.

I'll let you decide

How the rack comes. There is a signed card inside each box letting you know who personally packed your product. Nice touch IMO.













Bike mounts installed on top

 

Pics please. Would love to see the OEM rack in use. I'm not confident with mine lol

 

Nor should you be

 

That frontrunner rack does look promising! It shares that similar t-slot rail design to the prinsu rather than the round bars of the warrior. I'm still trying to figure out which is more functional! I'm surprised the rack is silent given the blocky looking front but I'll have to take your word for it. If I shopped around, would it's price tag be in the same ball park as the others? Load capacity certainly doesn't appear to be an issue. Those side rails are beefy.

 

Once I get the wider load bars, I'll have another pair on the other side. I don't plan on sleeping on it or anything. But it servesitspurpose.

 

That's the best pic I have I can try to find another.

Look at my avatar. Shows it pretty well.....

Although I am liking the front runner. If it can have Thule snowboard racks adapted to it.