I don't love the Prinsu roof rack, what alternatives are there?

Hi! I got my 2018 TRD Off Road used from a dealer and it came with a Prinsu roof rack. I've come to realize a lot of people desire these racks and I know they are high quality but I'm actually starting not to like it.

I don't actually utilize it. It makes wind noise and now that I know more about the Tacoma world I've realized it's a bit of a Instagram YouTube accessory and I'm starting to dislike the aesthetic.

I would like some roof rails or a rack so that the one rare day I need to put something up there I can, but I'm wondering if anyone knows of some nice/quality roof racks or rails that get away from the Prinsu like style?

I know there is an OEM option, but I don't know if people have had success with that.

Thanks!

 

You're right, they make noise, kill MPGs, and have limited usefulness. If you don't even know what you would put on a rack yet and you don't like racks, don't worry about it until you need one. You drive a truck, use the bed.

 

Oem option. why would there not be success with that?

I have uptop roof rack, similar to prinsu. mine gets used though so I get not having a use for one

 

I'd suggest OEM. When they installed the Prinsu, they cut up the trim that fits in the weld channel. OEM will cover all that up and does not cause wind noise when the load bars are stowed. I've had them on 2 trucks and was happy with them, but I eventually went with a Prinsu to better mount an awning and maybe some future solar panels. You can sell the Prinsu and probably be out zero dollars.

 

The OEM rack is fantastic if you occasionally need to tote a long light item like a ladder or a canoe. But it does have a load limit of 100 pounds (+ or -). Best part is that the cross bars fold in line with the vehicle when not needed.

 

IMO the nicest roof rack option is the Westcott Designs one. Close to the Prinsu but cleaner.

 

I have both prinsu and Sherpa. I prefer the look and finish of the Sherpa.

 

I say nothing. Find a pair of OEM weather strips, seal up the mounts and return it to a naked roof.

 

Not that it helps but I think the Prinsu Pro looks a lot better than the original.

 

I infrequently use the OEM roof rack but it's handy when I do (I'm also good with it's aesthetics.) I have a camper shell on the truck and have added a 3rd attach point near the rear so I can carry items as long as the truck (paddleboards, lumber) or wider then the bed would allow (like a queen mattress.)

When the OEM roof rack is in the stowed position (parallel with the length of the truck) there is zero added wind noise. When it's not stowed (perpendicular to the length of the truck) it does create subtle wind noise.

 

I had to compare...lol! Very similar-I believe I like the the Sherpa better too.

It's not on my priority list like the DB Tonneau Cover is but I don't believe I'll be using a roof rack.

Prinsu - Red Tacoma
Sherpa - Black Tacoma

 

Here’s the Prinsu pro-

 

Same here. OEM. Quiet, cheap, looks fine, can hold a few 20’ 2x4s, a kayak or paddle board or surfboard if I need the bed for camping and climbing gear on a big trip. I wish it were a little bit better constructed/adhered where the swing arms meet the end caps with the plugs, but I’ll epoxy them if they ever fail. You don’t really want heavy crap on the highest point of a truck anyway. I know you can…but better packing usually works better.

@OldMonty — make sure to put a bit of that black RTV caulk stuff in the thread holes when you anchor down the replacement. Otherwise you may be back about a wet headliner in a few months.

 

I have a Yakima system on the roof of my '22 and I love it. It does exactly what I need it to do, carries kayaks. When I'm not using it, I take it off. I can remove/install myself in just a couple minutes.

 

Gobi.

 

I’m very happy with the OEM rack. I also agree with the aesthetics thing with the Prinsu rack. I like the concept of it but I just don’t think the lines of it compliment the lines of the Tacoma.

 

I'm not sure that you can get away from the Prinsu style rack unless you go OEM. Any rack with permanent crossbars are going to make noise. The OEM is probably a good option for you as the crossbars fold away when you don't need them.

 

do you have a link for this rack? Did you mount it on a camper shell or the roof? If you put on the roof, did you have to cut your weatherstripping? I’m trying to decide what rack I want to temporarily use about five times a year to carry 9 foot surfboards, but I don’t like the idea of cutting my weatherstripping and I don’t want the racks on there all the time

 

I can't link you directly to the rack since Yakima has you run a configurator for your vehicle. But the parts needed are as follows:
4 PCs Skyline Towers
4 PCs Landing pad #24
Crossbars of your choosing, various lengths and styles. I have 72" Jetstream bars

The weather strip needs to have holes drilled in it for the landing pads bolts to reach the factory bolt locations. The rack comes off easily, the landing pads stay on the vehicle at all times. I imagine you will be very limited if you aren't willing to modify the weather stripping as the factory rack hole location is in this channel. The only option I could see would be to use Baseline towers from Yakima that have clips that lock the assembled rack into the door openings. I'm not at all a fan of these systems having used them before.

 

Thank you so much! I really appreciate you taking the time to list all of these items for me.