Best roof rack options

Added. Up to 10 racks. With the exception of the OEM roof rack, all of them seem very similar. Granted, some mount differently.

Just wanted to provide that list as a resource for people. When I get to the roof rack, I will dive in and maybe publish prices and pros and cons.

 

For thise of you who have installed any of these racks - Are there any that are convenient to remove and re-install when needed?
I do not want the rack on there all the time, but then it needs to be able to install / remove pretty easily, or it is not worth getting...
I would kilely use it only on camping trips and such... and remove for most every day use...
Cheers!

 

No because oem rack doesn't have strength. Not good idea to drill holes to oem plastic. I am sure there is alternative mount kit for the oem crossbars.

You can mount awning to after market rack such as prinsu since they have holes for bolts/screws.

 

OEM racks : yes you can remove 2 crossbars.

After market racks : no since you will have to remove several crossbars which is time consuming. Unless you put your hand under the crossbars to clean roof.

You don't have to remove aftermarket rack. You can leave the rack on there permanently. Note: if you remove the rack several times, you may have water leak, in that case, you put silicone on.

 

If anyone has questions about any of the upTOP Products, we are here to help! Happy to answer messages, PMs or the phone. 7207306380

 

You wouldn’t have to drill into the plastic, just mount to the closed arm with brackets, but I agree that it wouldn’t take the writht

OEM when the bars are stowed is the quietest. Everything else depends on the faring and basket and load.

 

Kinda figured. I'm debating Prinsu, SSO and UpTop. Just for looks lol.

 

But this is the point... to rephrase; I would like a rack which is easy to install and remove repeatedly - as needed.
In my case; it is not practical or desirable to have the rack on permanently as often the rack is not used and it would be good to get rid of the load and drag when the rack is not needed. Also for looks - Tacos also look as good without the rack on top, as they do with them on...

I understand the issues with the current installation methods on the more popular racks I am familiar with, and the inability for a practical removal capability ... (@Prinsu, @upTOPoverland , etc.) - but it seems that a modification to the mounting fittings to allow for practical / quick removal would be a great feature on Taco Roof Racks...

 

I would look into a Yakima Q Tower Rack system. Simple on and off. I had one for over 10 years and it still worked great when I sold it.

Its also nice because they are easily transferrable from car to car. Had it on my Subaru for like 8 years then put it on my Tacoma Cap. You just have to buy different clips.

 

For quick removal/install, then OEM racks is best option for you. Here is the picture for example:



Not sure if you would remove oem rack rails since the roof has mount holes. If so, you may have to tape them. If I were you, I would remove the crossbars and leave the rails on there.

Unless you like the rack that @weeksz mentioned. (a post above this post)


For your information: OEM racks may not be strong enough for pop-up tent if you place it on there. I mean tent with some people inside...

Aftermarket racks from Prinsu, uptopoverland, and others are best option if you want to use pop-up tent on there.

 

I wanted an American made roof rack, but didn't want to pay the Prinsu tax. Enter the Martin Offroad Foundation rack. I was blown away from the packaging of the product to the ease of installation. Everything went together without an issue and it looks great! I 100% would go with the Martin Offroad Foundation rack. I just wish I would've bought an extra crossbar.

 

Want to buy my OEM rack? They fold in, making the drag non existent.

 

That martin camper rack is nifty

 

Nice! How does that mount? did you need to silicone for weatherproofing? That looks great and is on the lower cost side of most. Wish they had a rack option for a cap but I had Yakima Aero bars that would work back there but might not look as good.

 

It mounts to the factory holes exactly like the Prinsu rack. In fact I watched a bunch of Prinsu installation videos on YouTube and followed those instructions to install mine. Yes, silicone is your friend!

 

I understand what you are asking for. Given what your needs are then I would look at options from Yakima or Thule. Those are the two mass market rack systems that offer the ability to put on and remove the roof rack fairly easily. What I was capturing was the permanent roof racks. But nothing wrong with the Yakima or Thule option.

This kind of clamp solution may be best based on your needs. Maybe not this exact one but you get the idea. I have this on my BMW and the clamps are pretty good. They make them if you have roof rails (which the BMW does) or you don't. Not hard to remove and put on, fairly strong and could meet most of your needs. Look at the "clamp" options at Thule and Yakima. The one advantage is there are a lot of accessories -- and they are fairly easy to find used as well if price / budget is a concern:

https://www.thule.com/en-us/roof-rack/roof-racks-and-accessories/thule-evo-clamp-_-710501

Hope that helps ... best of luck to you ... and definitely post back what solution you end up choosing ...

 

If you want an easy removable cross bar rack system as a base, I'd highly recommend the Rhino Vortex RLT600.


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/install-rhino-rack-vortex-rlt600-roof-rack.624050/

They have platforms and baskets that would work as well.

https://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/products/roof/platforms-and-basketss

 

RAVE OFFROAD is the roof rack I went with. I've had it on my truck for almost 2 years now. I keep a pelican case loaded with recovery gear, hi-lift jack, recovery boards, and occasionally kayaks.

Yes, that's my fatass standing on the rack! I weight 220lbs, so that plus the other gear on there gives you an idea of what it's capable of holding.

 

Skipping out on the Gobi racks? or Rhino? I recently found another interesting one Go-Rhino SRM series. Westcott designs also has a Prinsu style rack with new fairing styles I haven't seen on other brands.

 

https://aloffroadusa.com/collections/roof-racks