Best ladder rack for '15 taco w/ 5' bed?

Hi, I am a proud owner of a new 2015 Tacoma SR5 double cab with a 5' bed. I love this truck! However, I have just downsized from a Tundra and am looking into having a ladder rack installed. I am reaching out to those that have them on their Tacoma and see what they think. I am looking at Tracrac and also Thule. My biggest concern is having these mounted--drilling into the composite bed is not something I'm thrilled with. Is this okay as long as it's done professionally? Anyway, all advice and input is appreciated. Thanks!

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/64974-brand-new-building-ladder-rack-advice.html

 

I have Thule Xsporter Pro Multi-Height Aluminum Truck Rack 500XT for sale. The rack is in perfect condition.

Thule rack specs can be found here: http://www.thule.com/en-us/us/produc...00xt-_-1684728

First $575 takes it, Highlands Ranch, CO.

The purchase of a seperate Tacoma Adapter kit will be required and cost approx. $55.00, here is an example of the adapter kit: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thule-Xsport...90419a&vxp=mtr

 

I have Thule Xsporter Pro Multi-Height Aluminum Truck Rack 500XT for sale. The rack is in perfect condition.

Thule rack specs can be found here: http://www.thule.com/en-us/us/produc...00xt-_-1684728

First $575 takes it, Highlands Ranch, CO.

The purchase of a seperate Tacoma Adapter kit will be required and cost approx. $55.00, here is an example of the adapter kit: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thule-Xsport...90419a&vxp=mtr

 

That Thule rack is solid - I know a bunch of people who use it, not just on Tacos, but other trucks as well. That said, it's pricey - and the height adjustability is limited not just by the depth of the bed, but also by the little protrusion in the bottom of the bed (where the storage cubbies are) and the taper of the bed in the front. You won't be able to get the crossbars all the way down to the top of the bed rail, but you'll get them down quite a bit (to get them out of the airflow when driving unleaded, or if you're looking to get into low-clearance garages. They can also be removed in a matter of five minutes (handy when you're using the bed for other things - load of mulch or gravel or something like that).

I looked at that rack and was severely tempted; ended up going with a Tracrac Trac One instead. It's made similarly well (Tracrac is actually a company owned by Thule, and the aluminum parts are apparently sourced from the same supplier, and I also know a bunch of happy owners of these), but a lot simpler. No adjustability, no ready-made way to remove it (so instead of five minutes to remove, it will take about 1/2 hour plus). Since I'm not planning on removing or adjusting (will have a long roofbox on it that will actually extend over the cab), the price (340 at Amazon - 300 at Home Depot!) clinched it.

For install - either of these racks needs an adapter kit that uses the Tacoma bedrail. Both the Thule and the TracRac solutions for that are pretty darn clean and solid.

That bedrail, by the way, rules out the Yakima ladder rack (I think they call it the Outdoorsman?). That one doesn't have an adapter kit. I guess you could fashion your own, but that would be a lot of effort. Given that it's not adjustable and costs a bunch more than the Tracrac (200 for each set of two towers, so that's 400, plus another 50 or so for the crossbars), and that it is a lot less sturdy, and that it's hard to get the round bars to not whistle, it just doesn't make too much sense. Which I found surprising - I've got a ton of Yakima stuff, and usually their stuff is a little bit sturdier and better made/more thoughtfully designed for usability than Thule (compare their four place tray style hitchmount bike carriers to see what I mean).