Is Roof Rack Necessary or just get hard shell

I decided to go with a SnugTop hardshell mainly for my dogs and carrying the kids toys, but I'm undecided on the roof rack. Can someone show me their setup and how it's being used. I'm not seeing the benefits of having it, but then again I don't want to regret it later on. So far I've only used my truck to haul a dirt bike and that's it. Thanks!!!

 

I don't have one and don't want one. Personally I have no use for it, nor do I like how it looks.

 

What are you going to carry up there?

If you don't have a need to carry anything ontop of your shell, then don't get a roof rack.

 

Necessary

 

The only thing that comes to mind, is carrying a kayak but I don't do that stuff so I'm wondering what else can it be used for?

--OZ-T, Can you please tell me what do you use it for? I need ideas to determine if it's gonna come in handy.

 

I use it for lumber , ladders , anything long

 

Dang, I totally forgot about building materials. I think that does qualify as a big benefit. Thanks for making my choice a lot easier. Why didn't you get racks on the cabin part of your truck?

 

I might still add a cab rack , but I can get pretty long stock on my cap as it is

 

Very nice. I didn't think that was possible. What rack system do you have and did you installi it or was installation part of the package?

 

My cap is the Leer 100RCC commercial version of the 100R , the roof is reinforced to carry a 400lb rating and the rack system they used at the time was the DeWalt ProRac which has since been discontinued , I believe their commercial caps now come with a Thule rack

 

True story , DCLB FTW

 

Thanks for the info. When can we expect to see it installed on your truck?

 

Definitely get the rack; you'll find reasons to use it. Carrying sporting goods such as boats and bikes is only one use. You can also put baskets and cargo boxes up there are well as anything you don't want to hang out of your bed such as building supplies. It's also nice for attaching a side awning to.

If you go with a track system you can mount the tracks and easily take the rack off when you don't want it up there. Get the longer bars also, you can trim them to size but having the extra real estate comes in handy once you start adding things like extra boats and bike racks.

Old pictures of my truck with my touring boat and a canoe.

 

My battery LED light still works great 4 years later , haven't changed the battery either

 

In all honesty , if I was to buy new again , I would go with the 12V

 

Regardless of what brand you get, roof racks are invaluable. I had a thule rack on my civic before the truck and it was the best investment I ever made. I have carried bikes, snowboards, kayaks, lumber, steel, ladders, luggage, fly fishing rods, and now my RTT. I love having the versatility of a rack.

 

Building materials... I got a trailer instead. It has many more uses than roof racks. Also an option is a trailer hitch lumber rack. I have used that a lot as well. I am short at 5'6" so dealing with putting things on roof racks doesn't appeal to me. I thought I would regret not getting the racks with my cap but I have yet to have a reason to regret not getting them.

If I was OZ and used my truck to make a living building things. I would have the racks. It makes lots of sense for a contractor to have roof racks.

 

I just put LED strip lights in my topper cause the overhead battery light was so dim it was worthless. Wired them into my auxillary battery. It works great now.

 

Trailer is a valid point and definitely a versatile option (I am building one now). But I don't always haul a trailer with me and sometimes have ended up needing to pick up stuff without prior prep/planning. It doesn't happen often, but when it does it pays to have the rack.

 

I have an ARE CX with Yakima rack. In the warmer months it carries my tent and awning. In the colder months anything longer than 5 feet or so. Really worth it. If I could do it again i would add the 12v light and a fold down front window