Front Runner Roof Rack - Camper Shell Track

I haven't yet decided on my camper shell. I'm either going with a Leer 100XR or a Snugtop Rebel. Either way I can have it pre-installed with a Thule or Yakima mounting track or I can have it come clean (i.e. no pre-installed track). I want to mount a Front Runner Slimline II canopy rack to it. Should I have the canopy installed without a mounting track and use whatever Front Runner sends or should I have the Thule or Yakima track installed? Per Front Runner's website, it seems it works either way.

Advice?

 

Check out this thread right below yours: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/camper-top-question.620320/

I touched on this exact scenario there.

 

I put a frontrunner tray on my snugtop using rhino gutter plates and frontrunner's #5 legs. It's solid.

 

I had my Snugtop installed with the runners. I never got around to putting a rack on the shell. Still, I like the factory look.

 

Hi, any particular reason that you chose that mount setup and not the tracks that frontrunner provides? What is the length of the rack that you bought? I have a 6' ft snugtop and am having trouble deciding between 61" and 69." After owning the slimline for a while, what is your take? Would you repurchase if you could do it over again? Thanks in advance.

 

My rack is 77" long (10 slats) by 53" wide. It was a minor pain convincing customer service that I did not want tracks. I like the rhino gutter plates; each one has 3 holes, and they may be less likely to leak than tracks because the holes are on the side of the shell (not top). I also like the gutter plates because you can get the tray down pretty close to the shell. You don't want it too close since the slats bow down a bit if you are up there walking around. About 1" at the closest spot seems good. I got some Yakima HD bars for hauling canoes. I drilled 2 holes in each bar and bolted them to the channels on the sides. They would slide forward/backward pretty easily with an allen wrench.
Would I buy it again? I don't know. I have used it mostly for canoes so far, and two cross bars would be fine for that. With the hi-liner shell, I can easily get 3 bikes in the bed by only removing the front wheels, and not having to drop the seat down. I also made a platform and can sleep in the bed comfortably. So, I haven't really used the tray for bikes, or sleeping up there... but it would be handy if the bed was full of other junk. Maybe one day I will load it up properly. It is super versatile with all those channels up there. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

@Ainapo - I like your shell and rack setup - the steps too. I currently have a smaller FR slimline II on my Snugtop Hi-Liner mounted on the factory roof rail and it's a little too short for my kayak and gear. Would like to upgrade to the 77" rack like yours but I may have to go from roof rail mount to another method like your gutter system.

Did you use the Rhino Rack #739 false gutter? Does the #5 leg have a model number? Couldn't find which one it is.

EDIT: looks like the #5 leg could be LASS105, 190mm.

Did you have any problems drilling into your Snugtop?

 

Thanks and sorry for delay. Yes, I got 739A from Rhino (one full set and one half set). They come with all the hardware. I painted the bolt heads black and put a little goop at the base of the threads during install. Drilling the holes wasn't too bad. The bit got a little sticky after a few holes and wanted to grab the carpet lining after punching through. Hardest part was lining everything up and deciding where to drill. With the shell's rounded corners, there is no obvious place to start measuring from. I ended up stretching a string tight and using that as a straight edge. You can do it and it will be fine.
Alternatively I wonder if you could get longer tracks and re-use existing holes? I think Yakima, Thule and Rhino sell tracks.