OEM Roof Rack vs Something Else

Curious who has the OEM rack and how it's working for you? I like that it's slimmer and stows out of the way, but also seems to have a lower weight limit than a Yakima or Thule. Although also a lot cheaper than buying all those rack parts and towers. Maybe 100 lbs is enough.

 

I had it, hated it. never used it once. Just liked the way it looked on the truck. Ditch it and buy a prinsu, they look great, are functional and are fairly well priced.

Now I am accessorizing my roof rack, and doing a few other mods to get things going on that for camping/etc. Cannot wait. Oh and I use it as a rook rack for storing stuff on when I go out in the back country.

 

What are you going to put on the rack?

 

Go prinsu,
#no regrets.

 

I have one of those rooftop cargo boxes. I try to stuff light stuff in there like sleeping bags, tent and other fairly light stuff but the box itself is 20 lbs or so as well. I think a Yakima or similar is rated around 150 lbs and I like a margin of error.

 

That seems a pretty serious rack, but also looks more or less permanent. OEM rails would be too, but they fold out of the way when not used.

 

I use the Yakima system and have had good luck with it. Easy on and off. Mileage will take a hit if you leave it on when you don't need it.

G.

 

I just bought a FrontRunner in a group buy for $755 shipped and will arrive Aug 2. The Prinsu looks the best but followed the lead of another member that has owned both and the FR is quieter. I also cared more for the FR based on the installation instruction and it appears it will be a little cleaner on the top rails of the roof. A must was something that would hold my big arse by standing on it and low profile to the extent that it would fit beneath a standard garage door entry, and both will do that.

 

If you're looking for removable load bars, you might like Rhino Rack:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rhino-rack-installed.470338/

They also have optional tracks so that you can slide the bars fore/aft:
http://www.cascaderack.com/rhino-rack-rts547-rts-tracks.html

 

I've had the OEM rack on both of my 2nd Gens and my third gen. I love it and works great but fully understand its limitations. So I guess it depends on what you're using it for. I use mine exclusively to carry surf boards and snowboards/skis. Works great for what I need it for, looks better than the aftermarket ones IMO and from my experience its the quietest, can't even hear it at all on the freeway when the rails at stowed away.

Also can't beat the price I get them for $300 from my local dealer.

But if you're planning on loading it up with actual gear I think you'll quickly pass the 100lb load limitation. I've put 120ish pounds up there and offroaded through Baja with it and did just fine, but if you were going to be running 100+lbs regularly I'd probably get a Prinsu, my typical roof load is only 50-80lbs

 

Thanks for the info. The rhino rack looks pretty cool but don't like that you have to drill holes in the roof. The clip on style seem similar to Yakima. I think I'm inclined to just go with the OEM rack or Yakima type as either should hold what I need.

 

Oh, sorry, I didn't realize it required drilling. I assumed it used the same holes as the factory rack.

 

Has anyone had an issue with the OEM racks leaking?

 

Yes, I got that musky water smell when it rained from that rack. I need to clean it out now

 

I personally hate it. It's made from cheap plastic and didn't fit to my roof right without hours of wrestling it. Not worth the $250 I paid, all the bolts holding it on were rusted after 6 months of driving (in ca desert), also chipped the paint and put a big dent (both sides same spot) where it covered the roof. Yakima crossbars with a basket on the camper shell is loud and kills gas. Do it right the first time and get a prinsu or front runner unless it's only for looks

 

Got mine on a group buy , Last year , I"ve used it four times already , who needs a long bed , Prinsu

 

Not sure who would put on a rack for looks. It's for when I need to carry stuff up there and save room in the bed. Obviously a rack and the stuff up there isn't good for gas mileage but that's why I want something removable or stow-able. The prinsu rack looks it would hold a VW, but I certainly don't want a giant rack up there for daily driving and it doesn't seem like a pop-it-on-when-you-neet-it rack. If the factory rack is cheaply made and not all that useful then I think a yakima or thule is probably best for my needs - clamp on when needed and remove when not. Thanks again for all the feedback. Helps me work through the options and what will be best for me.

 

so how well do these racks work with the xm antenna in the shark fin? i have found that my oem rack folded out blocks the signal depending on the direction of travel. I like the oem rack for what i use it for but it isn't very sturdy. If i put both of my 14 foot racing paddle boards on it they move around a lot since the bar isn't very well secured.

 

x3 Prinsu

 

Ive had thule yakima and now a factory roof rack. Really depends what you need it for. I only run fishing rods on mine currently, so i like the fact that theres nothing in my door jam (the "feet" of your standard thule/yakima rack) Scratching the paint, and causing damage to the door seal. With that being said i ran a factory set of yakima/thule on my ARE cap for kayaks. But those didnt effect any doors. Again depends what you plan on putting on your roofrack. Obviously cant use the factory bars and mount an RTT to it... theres a trade off with everything