Recovery gear on roof rack bad idea?

I am looking to move some weight from my bed. Not that it can’t handle it, but at a certain point it seems necessary to get some weight out of the back.

Is it a BAD idea to move some recovery gear to the front of the roof rack? Will try to keep under 50-60lbs.

I use a scott power-puller for emergency recovery and thinking it would be nice to keep it and what I need to use it up on the roof in a plano. Only going in there if I REALLY need it.

Thoughts?

go full bro and Plano box up top or keep it in the bed??

 

The higher any weight is from centerline the more it will effect the tendency to cause roll over. While it probably won't cause an issue it only takes once. Err on the side of caution and keep it low.

 

Another thing to keep in mind, recovery gear is typically used when you're stuck in mud or something, putting dirty nasty gear on top of your truck means that eventually all that mud on your gear from rain or whatever it may be is going to come down your truck.

It's also more of a hassle to get stuff off the roof more likely to fumble it and dent the truck or bust a mirror or worse a window.

It's also more likely to make noise and drive you crazy and it will be constantly exposed to the elements; UV destroys plastic stuff pretty quick, and any rusty jacks or whatever that get rained on will streak down your truck.

Anything on the roof also increases roll over risk as previously stated.

IMHO gear on a roof rack is a sure sign of an insta-posser-off-roader.

 

You'll take a mileage and noise hit from adding above the roofline.

I do run recovery gear and solar on the roof and like my set-up, but I wouldn't recommend it with the goal of getting weight out of the bed.
The other thing to consider is space: the 42" planos most guys run have a 5" internal height and the Power Puller (per the intrawebs) is specing at 8" x 6.5" x 17". You'll need a bigger case: between that and the rack I'd expect to end up >12" above the roofline.

My experience mirrors a lot of what the others said. My truck is heavy enough that I feel less subjective roll, but physics is real. I'm also desert, so not much mud but killer UV.

Pros: Frees up bed space (glamping set up with drawers/fridge in the back)

Neutral: Well laid out (vs a milk crate of straps), but accessible only when standing on a door sill/slider
Traction boards are in-line with the RTT, which means I use them to level more than I do when they're in the bed.

Cons: Mileage and wind noise. Mitigated somewhat by a fairing, but not back to stock mileage. I also have solar panels above my cases, so it's close to a slick roof
UV - my traction boards are a noticeably different color than when they started life. I'll be making bags and then replacing.
Overall Height - My truck is 7' to 7'2": parking garages require math. Not normally an issue where I live, but annoying when traveling.

 

Thank you @JEEPNIK @Key-Rei and @MuddySquirrel

I am concerned about rollover risk. This year has seen many on the shelf roads here in CO... lots of passing going on...

That being said I am getting one of those superlight RTTs for over the softopper so... at least with that will be removable.

As pointed out the logistics of getting a heavy power puller out of a roof mounted rack is something I didn’t think about

I will keep things in the bed and get better leafs if I feel the need, currently on a single AAL.

Here is my bare bones, really only add a tent, sleeping bag and maybe one other bin with extras, bikes go behind the driver.

the middle bin is all recovery... I would guess 80-90lbs

 

Looks like a well organized set-up: why the change?

Putting the RTT up top will hit you with similar height, drag, and raised center of gravity risks to putting the recovery gear on the roof.

If you still have bed space I'd keep everything in the bed and consider trying to tuck the RTT inside the soft topper. That'll save you on CG, aerodynamics, and keep everything out of prying eyes.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/roof-top-tent-inside-a-soft-topper.454723/

 

Thank you!
I have done that once before! Haha, when I first got my truck I had a front runner tent in there on low bars under the softtopper... it was cool but annoying to open the topper first and almost no space in your bed for stuff when you need it. I’m getting a 80lb tent that is 4 inches tall and easy to take off if I wanna wheel. But yes... totally similar issue with the tent high up there. But I want a mobile tree house