What roof racks are everybody using?

First post here at TW. Ive lurked this forum in the past and have had the answers to nearly all of the questions Ive had for my '08 double cab, short bed. The other day I had to haul a canoe and I just laid down some padding and strapped it to my roof with some ratchet staps (gently). This is what we have always done with our other trucks growing up and it was never an ordeal, but this particular time nothing seemed to work out right. This experience left me wanting a solution so I wouldnt have to worry about it anymore. Ive been looking at the usual racks. Yakima, thule and of course the OEM one. Whats been working for everyone? I really like the look of the aftermarket ones but also like the permanent/bolt on option of the OEM.

 

I run an OEM rack. Bought it off another member not too long ago. I was similar to you in that I found out how easily that hollow roof dents last time I hauled a kayak and some other gear.

I haven't used it heavily yet, but my plans are for kayaks and canoes. The thread I copied below might help some.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/will-the-oem-roof-rack-support-a-16ft-canoe.95472/

 

Thanks for linking that thread. When I used the "search" feature, it overwhelmed me with tons of articles but I couldnt find any discussions on the topic.

 

No problem man! Were you using the "search titles only" option?

 

Does the OEM have options for mounting a cargo rack or anything else if I wished to in the future?

 

No, MDB, I dont believe I was. I will try that next time and see if I have better results.

 

From what I've gathered, the answer is kinda. I've heard you can add a Yakima basket to the top as long as you use the extension, and I've also seen where someone used Yakima crossbars (clamped to the oem crossbar while stowed) and mounted a basket to those.

That being said, the load rating of the oem is 100 lbs if I remember right, so if you clamp a basket to the built in cross bars, that only leaves you with ~40-60lbs of cargo capacity.

My $0.02 would be if accessories (light mounts, baskets, etc) are gonna be a strong priority for you, you may want to look at the aftermarket options, despite them being a bit pricier. Maybe someone who's running one of those systems will chime in.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/prinsu-design-studio-roof-racks.317754/

 

PrInSu Design Studios. Would easily hold a canoe.

 

I have hauled two 15 foot kayaks, I have hauled railroad ties, I have put a plywood deck up there and a couple of camp chairs for watching fireworks (2 adults 1 teenager),

 

Love that Prinsu but it is definitely out of my budget. For that matter, so is a yakima or thule but I would wait and save if needed. Ive always been a buy it once kind of guy though. I dont like to buy something and then turn around a few months or so later and realize I should have upgraded but I think in this instance an OEM rack (coupled with a "goal post" reciever hitch) would meet my needs just fine. At the moment I do not have use for lights or a basket or anything other than a canoe really that I would haul besides the occasional lumber run from the home improvement store.

 

I have oem, and has worked great for my longboard surfboards

 

Based on what you've said, it sounds like the setup you have in mind would serve just fine for you. The oem racks are pretty easy to come by and a little bit easier on the budget, like you said.

 

I am looking to put on the standard Toyota Tacoma 2014 roof rack and my question is. Will a surf board laying directly on the rack have clearance over the "Fin" XM antenna? Fin is about 2 1/2" tall, I will also have rack pads which will add maybe a 1/2 inch. I have not been able to find anything on this one bit of info anywhere, and from the pictures have see I cannot tell from the angle if there is clearance or not. I do not want to go with this system if my board is going to be laying on the fin….

Thanks for the help!

Dan

 

I think it will, especially because you're using pads. Here's a pic of a quick and dirty measurement I took on mine. The top of the crossbar looks to be just short of 2.5", but if you're using pads that'll make up the difference. Mine is an 05 so I do not have the sharkfin.

 

Thank you for your response and insight! Think this will help me move in the right direction. The Fin is also landing about as far back on the roof as possible making it further down on the curve which (I am hoping) will make even that much lower!

 

No problem man. I'm pretty sure I've seen pics of the newer 2nd gens with boards up top on the oem, but I can't remember for sure.

 

My longboards fit over the xm fin with my rack pads, you should be fine