Tomorrow New Purchase of Tacoma TRD Off Road -Question- Stock Roof Rack

2020 white TRD off road. Any other suggested additions are welcome.

I like the looks of the 2020 roof rack. Truck was ordered from factory without any upgrades. I can buy the roof rack at a discount from a local dealership.
Questions;
1. Can (should I) install this myself. I'm a DIY guy but dangerous around any motor car.
The dealership charges about $170 per hour for labor. If it's one hour then I'll have it installed by my dealership.
2. What is the general attitude about the stock roof racks?
3. I will have to wait a few months to buy a camper shell. The brand name of the shell is "Ranch" which I had never heard of before. It is in stock and looks good. Cost at this time is $2450. before tax.
Thanks for your responses and opinions. Old truck is a lifted 2009 silver Tundra sold to my grandson. We're downsizing.

 

If it's reasonable have dealer install. Then your covered if it leaks.

 

The answer to your question (#2) depends on what you’d use the roof rack for.

 

I've always heard and read that the stock roof rack has a very low weight capacity and a little flimsy. Something around 75 lbs or something like that. Prob great for gas mileage tho compared to larger aftermarket racks. I run a baja rack which can hold 300+ lbs up there. I actually load that much with multiple fishing kayaks tho. All depends on your needs i guess.

 

I have the Toyota roof rack and like it. I like how it folds back when not in use. I installed it myself. It’s a piece of cake, just make sure you use some additional silicone caulking for the mounting holes/screws.

Edit to add: I have a topper with a roof rack on my truck as well. I mainly use the cab rack when I’m carrying long loads.

 

Thank you all for the quick response; To answer the primary responses, I will use the racks for just what the last person, SunRunner, would use the racks for. To carry long light loades like PVC, light lumber loads and maybe a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood. By the way, thank you for telling me about your installation. I wonder if there is a utube video for that. Interesting about the capacity. Something to check out.
I could haul more in my Honda CRV than I could in my Tundra with the back window down. Tired of that. I have an 18 ft trailer for big stuff.

I'm 74 but maybe I'll buy a kayak..just for looks.

Question; When did they start making Tacoma beds out of composite material? My 6' bed is plastic!

 

I really really dislike the look of the stock roof racks.

I am currently in the market for Yakima racks that mount in the factory bolt holes. Just so you know it looks like the cost is $600+ for the system.

 

Don't knock the composite bed. Think of it this way..its lighter than the typical steel bed, no denting or rust issues and no need to drop a bunch of cash on a spray in bed liner. Its actually quite tough. I filled mine with chunks of a concrete patio I took out and it handed it with out issue.

 

Yes, I just looked at those racks. A bit too expensive for me and I don't really like the way they look..personal preference. I just need something so I can get small material home for light projects occasionally. I have a trailer for big stuff. I do like the LED lights on the bigger racks though. My cousin has a light bar up there but he can't use it because of the reflection off of his white hood. A lesson I won't duplicate.

 

Good to know. I kinda figured as much but still will put some sort of protection just cause. I'm going to have a camper shell so something light weight, like thin plywood with a carpet cover. Still thinking. Would be nice also to be able to slide stuff around easily, like tool boxes, buckets of rocks. We're rockhounds and plan to spend some trips out to the desert.
My Tundra has a rhino liner, a bed liner, and a thick matt. It will be gone this afternoon.

 

I don't personally have an OEM (or any) roof rack but throughout multiple threads I've read that one of the pros of the OEM rack is that there is much less wind noise when its folded away than having something like a Yakima rack up there all the time. If you're only using it occasionally and you can live with the reduced weight limit it's certainly an option to consider. Install time is listed as under 1 hour.

 

Composite bed started in 2005 on tacoma.

 

I installed the OEM roof rack myself and had an issue with the bolts being too tight to thread in due to the factory installed sealant that was on the bolt threads. After cleaning most of the sealant off the bolts, they threaded in easy but I did put silicone on the threads and no leaks going on 5 yrs now.
Roof rack is not as heavy duty as a steel aftermarket but does fold away when not needed with no wind noise or drag.