OEM Roof Rack or Not?

I still don’t understand how some aftermarket roof racks can rate their load capacity to 300# yet the OEM rack is only rated to 75#.

All the racks bolt to the same captive nuts in the roof sheet metal, so I’d think the sheer strength of those little bolts would dictate the weight limit, not the rack itself.

I had the OEM (that I installed myself) and only used it to transport lightweight stuff like surf boards. I’m not sure I’d trust any design with anything too heavy.

 

For a Cross Bar style rack that's far superior to OEM (and easily removable), go with Rhino Rack. No noticeable wind noise with the Aero strips.

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

 

yes mine has been that way since the truck was new. I’ve transported 2 paddleboards at a time on it religiously with no issues.

 

thanks, is your passenger worse than driver side? That’s where my problem is. Thanks!

 

I second this motion

 

Can confirm. I’ve had a rhino rack set up for a few years now and it’s been great for 2500km road trips with a couple sea kayaks. Not as robust as some set ups, but I like being able to take it off within minutes, as I don’t need it outside of road trips

They’re also a fair bit cheaper if you look up part numbers for their packages on etrailer, etc. and then buy the individual components separately off Amazon.

 

Install was a bitccchhhhh

 

I’m rocking the OEM roof rack with leitner bed rack and it’s working great so far

 

How so?

 

Pics please.

 

Top view with the OEMs packed away and the Lietners at normal front and back position.
Top view with OEMs opened up.

There is a slight height difference which doesn’t matter for my use case of hauling the kayaks.

 

My 3rd mod was a roof rack from Southern Style Offroad. Tires, sliders, roof rack.
Ive used it a bit, for the kayak and some other things. Easy install.

 

Been thinking about the OEM rack for my 2016 DCSB Sport. I like the way they look stowed, and I don't haul often enough to justify a full rack. Trouble is I can't find it on Toyota's site anymore for the 2016, and the only OEM Tacoma rack I can find on Amazon only fits 2017-2019. Looks like I may be stuck buying used if I really want an OEM.

 

The problem with the OEM rack, and the only thing you need to consider, is its FUGLY. Holy that thing is ugly.

 

I would just go with a hooker road roof rack. $2-300 bucks and it looks meaner than prinsu. Only downfall is that you do need to touch up the paint when you get it.

 

What makes you say that? I have a Prinsu sitting in my basement waiting to be installed, hope it's not a royal pain..

 

Of course it’s subjective but I don’t think it looks too bad when the bars are horizontal. It’s low profile and looks sporty.

Now when the bars are stowed, agreed - FUGLY as hell

 

I bought an ebay rack so all the holes didn’t line up too well. Your prinsu install will be fine

 

OEM rack here, love the looks. Never used it, easy to install, no leaks. Works for me!

 

OEM rack here too. Love the way it looks.

That being said, this is the second Taco I have installed the OEM roof rack on (2014 being the first) and to date I have not used it once.