Roof Rack Question

I'm debating between getting an OEM or an aftermarket roof rack for my truck, mostly because I read somewhere that an aftermarket one (with the clamp) can damage the paint over time. I was wondering if this has happened to any of you running an aftermarket roof rack?

 

nope but I did plastipped the paint where there is contact. The only advantage of the OEM rack is being able to easily store away the crossbars.
I'm not a fan of the bulky OEM rack look and most aftermarket accessories are geared towards Yakima or Thule racks.

 

I have the Yakima towers that clamp on the truck, and yes they will possibly damage the paint. Mine over the past few years they have slowly rubbed the paint off where the metal clamp pulls up on the roof. Luckily its on the inside of the door jam where the rubber seal touches the roof, so you can not see it unless the door is open. Yakima gives you little stick on plastic pads that are supposed to stick on the metal clamp, they are useless.

Also take note on what you want to carry! I put 2 full sized 2 person kayaks on my roof and drove 1 hour down the highway. Where the towers where sitting on my roof they actually creased the roof line. The kayaks where under the weight limit for my towers/bars, but way too much wind drag. One yak lying upside-down on the rack is fine.

Overall I love the rack setup. Everything I have purchased is used, Yakima/Thule prices are out of control. I have Yakima towers, bars, basket, ski clamps, and kayak mounts.

 

my Yakima f-ed mine up

 

Yeah the bulkiness of the OEM is why I'm hoping to find an aftermarket one. I'm also worried about tbe damage it may cause. Plasti dip may be a good solution.

 

That sucks to hear, but glad it's not noticable unless you have the door open. I'm wondering if you could buy the foam strips kinda like the ones you put under toolboxes and put them on the metal/plasti clamps.

What about the rubber part, does it bother the paint in any way?

 

Yeah the after market ones def. damage the paint. This is not only inside the door where the clamp meets the car, but also on top of the car if you let the rubber pads wear out too long. Left my last clamp set on for 4 or 5 years and the rubber pads rotted out into the paint. I've been told there s a spray on plastic coating that can help with this.

That being said, the functionality and warranty on the aftermarket brands far exceed that of the factory brand. Not to mention that they're transferable from truck to truck. I have now mounted my set on 3 cars without having to repurchase.

 

I have no doubt the functionality of an aftermarket rack is better than the OEM. I'd like to see how bad the damage may be and if there may be a solution to prevent this. I wonder if you could buy the foam strips (soft on one side sticky on the other) and stick it on the rack with the foam touching the paint instrad of the actual rubber or plastic/metal clamp. Does this sound doable?

 

No the rubber part does not. After having them on for awhile a quick wash and wax of the area and your good to go.

 

Bajarack.com or a guy on here (Prinsu studio?)make a pretty nice rack for our trucks. I wasn't impressed with the OEM one. I've used "clear bra" material before on other cars where the yakima/Thule make contact, neve tried plastidip but I'd guess it works the same.

 

Derp would get rubbed off and scratch just like the paint job will. Short term help, sure.. But its just adding a minimal layer of extra protection. It isn't as durable as regular paint, and adding some foam tape to the Yakima hooks would probably be a better option IMO.

 

If you get the right after market one, it won't damage your paint

 

What he said.

 

That's good to know.

 

S,.

Yeah I looked at the Baja racks. They look awesome, but way overpriced for what I am wanting to use it for.

 

PrInSu.

I started looking at the Baja racks but they are close in price to Zach's racks and Zach's look way better IMHO.

 

Now you have mentioned the brand name, I can see it. I've seen his stuff before--they are pretty badass looking.