Roof Rack Install on an A.R.E. Camper Shell Advice

Greetings TW,

I recently acquired an ARB Aluminum Flat Roof Rack Mesh Part# 4913020M on Craigslist. Its brand new and has all the mounting hardware to mount onto a Lexus SUV. I want to mount this onto my A.R.E. Overland Camper Shell (Longbed). The camper shell will arrive in late May but I want to have a plan in place. I plan on using the roof tracks that come factory installed by A.R.E.

I reached out to ARB tech support and they told me they could offer no advice whatsoever because they do not have kits to mount onto camper shells.

Does anyone have any advice on what to use to mount this rack? I don't want to add the skyline towers due to height concerns. I would like a lower profile, ideally 2 inches off the roof.

How do your roof racks attach to the camper shells?

 

I use prinsu mounts on my prinsu rack on my ARE tracks. Could be easily made to fit your rack.

 

Can you describe how the connection works or post a picture? I really appreciate your feedback!

 

https://prinsudesignstudio.com/product/prinsu-1-tent-mounting-feet-set-of-4/

These are tent mounts, but same idea.

 

https://prinsudesignstudio.com/product/leer-mounting-feet-2/
Some more mounts. If you cruise that site, you should see some ideas with pics.

 

This looks promising!!
Extra Prinsu Mounting Feet (sold in pairs) - Prinsu Design Studio

Thanks for the input!

 

Nice rack, think I'll check those out.
I have an ARE installed tracks for mine.

 

How do the tracks on the camper shell work? Im looking to fab something but dont have my hands on the shell yet. Looking for ideas still. How do those yakima bars connect to the tracks?

 

They are attached with yakima risers and they came with my round bars.
My tracks ate Yakima too.
Would also work with their fancier xcross bars.
Look at the Yakima site for more options and details.
Might be some good info on this thread:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/show-me-your-shell.13598/

 

Did you order Yakima track on camper shell from ARE? You have to have the dealer to install the track to keep the warranty.

 

Yes I ordered the tracks from ARE, they will install them. I do not have my hands on the cap yet so i can’t play around with it and do some much needed R&D

 

I’m avoiding using the Yakima bars or something similar. I don’t want to add too much height to my truck. I’m thinking I can find hardware to mount my rack directly to the track. I found a thread where someone mentioned using Sherpa mounting hardware. I ordered some mounting feet and will try with those. Unfortunately it looks like I will have to drill into the rack itself, thankfully it’s aluminum

 

I'd like to see how you do it.

 

I’m hoping to have it set up in the next couple weeks. I’ll post pictures when complete

 

Did you end up doing this? If so, how?

 

Never updated this. Here are the photos. I used some Sherpa adjustable mounts.