Roof Rack Questions

Yea, my wife had a 98 Rav4 (first car, owned since new, only 110k miles when traded in on the 16 Tacoma!) that I started driving when I moved to an area with snow/mountains. I really hated the way that car looked, but I would have hated it even more if it had those factory roof racks. I too think some of the factory roof racks kind of have a lame minivan/SUV look. However, when you're looking for practicality, and your vehicle is limited on carrying capacity (or you're just looking for more!), then a roof rack is a great way to go. You can't really argue with the practicality of it, and it's not like Tacoma/Rav4/etc. are particularly beautiful vehicles to begin with. They definitely have a more utilitarian vibe to them then say a Porsche Macan or Lexus RX400h.

Utility trailers are also awesome, and a lot easier to load than a roof rack lol. You can get a utility trailer off CL for under $1000, but if you don't have room to store one you can also rent one for about $25-40 or so from Uhaul (been a while since I checked, but I swear I paid $25+tax the last time I got one for a home improvement project).

choices, choices ... why can't I just buy all the things

 

I haven't seen much drop in fuel mileage but i really don't pay that much attention to it. When it is empty i fill it up. I need the racks so the fuel consumption difference didnt sway my decision. Since my previous post i have had more experience with the baja racks and honestly prob wouldn't recommend them. If you are just trying to lash thing to the top of your truck then maybe but other than that i would recommend the more modular prinsu or front runner racks. They are much more useful and much easier to mount and dismount things to. Good luck.

 

If you want to add a basket to your factory roof rack here is an option.

http://www.bajarack.com/?id=racks_list_inside&idRack=89

 

Baja rack claims the rack above weighs in at 38 pounds and that it has a 100 pound rating. I would feel comfortable putting 100 pounds up there.

 

I assumed the very low weight limit was for vehicle stability. They don't want you to put 500lbs up there and roll it over on the highway. I would guess they make the rack appropriate to that low specified load (with margin).

 

I already have a nice basket just want to make sure I have a good "base" for it, I also want to get an Rtt down the line

 

I think this is super clean. May go this route as I already have a similar setup on the snugtop that I'm getting installed.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ditch-mounted-tracks-on-double-cabs.418816/#post-12193328

 

I like it but not keen on drilling the roof of new truck lol

looks like Im going to making my own side rails to fit the factory holes at this point,
I have a 2013 4runner also and a real nice setup on the side rails that came on the vehicle and was hoping to replicate that

 

A lot of guys use bed racks for RTTs and also its not such a long way down in the middle night if you need to step outside for a pee. A bed rack is also a good option if you want to carry heavier stuff like extra spare tires and fuel cans.

 

Yeah it might be the option I go with, I was just looking at the front runner though, maybe sell my current setup to help fund it

 

here in canada its about $50 a day for a decent sized Uhaul after taxes etc. but ya

I actually really like roof racks, for the same reason you say, the extra space, but the factory one is so ugly I feel it makes the taco look lame. Where as a proper basket type would suit it more.
Hell to be honest I really like the factory FJ Cruiser one, although my cousin has the FJ and said it looks cool but is actually shit for storage lol.

My only problem with the roof racks I like is they are much higher, and since I will be lifting my taco and it will be daily driven, and most of my work is in the downtown core...that means lots of underground parking garages, so with a lift AND the rack, probably wont fit, since most of the lots I park in I see a lot of full sizes and they JUST fit completely stock.

 

I like the look of the OEM rack on a lifted truck, personally but I agree they look lame on a stock one or a 2X4. The problem with overland style racks is noise and bugs. They can trap a lot of stuff up there that's hard to clean out and the noise at high speeds combined with the hum of m/t tires can be a little excessive especially when it's in the hot hot summer. My .02 worth.

 

I am looking to do a set up similar to yours but don't know what length bars to get. What size are yours?

 

They are Whispbar S17 size (52.5 inches).

 

@thors.hammer thanks brother.

 

Anyone have any experience with a ROLA "Haul-Your-Might" Rack? I like the fact that it uses the factory bed rail system, so I assume it's fairly easy to remove when you aren't using it.

$474 ROLA 59799 Haul-Your-Might Rack for Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra and Tacoma Pickup Trucks

http://www.amazon.com/59799-Haul-Your-Might-Nissan-Toyota-Tundra/dp/B00V9T0HZ4/ref=sr_1_9?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1462819786&vehicle=2013-76-1037-998--53-9-7-8087--8-1---1-0&sr=1-9&ymm=2013:toyota:tacoma&keywords=cargo+rack

Oops, just saw my search brought me to 3rd Gen... Still may be pertinent here, though.

 

That looks pretty sweet actually, especially for the price

 

No kidding. I would have ordered one, but it says it takes 1 to 4 months to ship and I need it next Friday.

 

I currently have the OEM roof rack and am looking to make it more functional by adding a bar utility system. Does anyone have any ideas? Looking for something like this..



My main concern is to create more lashing points. I'm not looking for a basket; I want something more low profile.

 

Check out what @ERMB did:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ermbs-d-i-y-rack-system-build.433500/
looks like exactly what you're looking for if you don't want to spend prinsu or bajarack money.