Difference Between Roof Racks

I ordered a 2021 TRD Pro, which will not arrive until sometime in January. How good is the TRD roof rack? Are most happy with it? The Gobi Stealth looks fantastic but I'm not sure it is worth the money and effort it it doesn't add any significant benefit.

Those who have the stock roof rack...are you happy with it?

Those who have upgraded to a different (aftermarket) rack...why did you upgrade?

 

If you aren’t going to have a roof top tent, or need the added cargo carrying capacity, the stock rack is plenty. I don’t think the pro rack adds any utility over the standard one, so it would be for looks at that point.

 

I switched from the factory rails/bars to the "Pro" roof rack and am happy I did. I initially got it for the looks.. I'm new to the truck world and think the "tall" look is neat, and reminds me of Land Rover Discoveries from back in the day. Then, when camping, I found more love for the Pro rack and it's taller sides. I used it to hold firewood and it worked awesome. I am sure I would have had a MUCH harder time with the crossbars. The tall sides of the Pro rack create a "tub," and the fact that it has more crossbars means there is more surface to hold your items, and more spots to tie down.

I like full length racks because they look cool, and it would be nice to have a little more room for a spare tire and/or traction boards up there, but for now the Pro rack treats me well. It also cost (me) a lot less than the full length options.

My best advice is to live with the 4Runner for a few months, do some of the things you plan to do with it, and then re-evaluate your roof rack needs / wants.

The only downside I have found (for me) so far with the Pro rack is that it might not be possible to mount a canoe up there on it... and if it is even possible, I am sure the OE rails/bars would be better for it.

Cheers.

 

I have a family of 4 with 2 car seats. We run out of cargo space quickly.

I ordered a Gobi Stealth (no rise) for carrying coolers, firewood, kids bikes, luggage, surfboards or whatever else we need to throw up there. I like that the no rise option can double as a basket rack or a flat rack and adds a huge amount of extra cargo space with easy tie down options.

Don't have the rack yet but should be getting it soon.

 

Have people had issues with RTTs on the stock rails? (Non-TRD Pro)

 

I don’t think they’re strong enough for a RTT. I have a buddy with thr stock rack and he added some aftermarket bars and it’s just a pain to take his RTT on and off every time. If you want a RTT and aftermarket rack is the way to go.

 

What was your order date? I placed my order August 23rd

 

Ive been thinking about a Gobi rack, but I’ve read in so many places that they have a notoriously long wait time for arrival.

 

Don't know how committed you are on the Gobi.. But I've been very impressed with my purchase from RA Motorsports CAN and shipping wasn't to bad.

 

Gobi is steel so will rust eventually when it gets scratched, unless you dont use it and it's just for looks. I ordered a Prinsu (I also have one on my Taco) last Monday and it was already delivered today. All aluminum, I'll put it on tonight.

 

Any recommendations? I've heard of some people using some Yakima cross rails and it working alright. So far we've only mounted it to the Tacoma.

 

August 31st.

I recently contacted Weston at weston@gobiracks.com to get an update. He emailed me back next day and told me I was looking at a finish date of late December or early January. I imaging yours will be done late December, but you can contact him to be sure.

 

Right now it's roughly a 16 week wait.......so I've been told.

 

I ordered this Prinsu on Monday, installed tonight.

 

I ordered mine July 28 and just got an email from Gobi stating that they are experiencing longer delays due to Covid. I’m not in a rush to get mine so I’m happy to wait. It would be nice if I got it before the New Year, but whatever, it’s worth the wait.

 

The stock crossbars should probably be replaced with longer square tube flat bars (as opposed to the stock long oval curved bars); but the actual stock rack itself works fine for a RTT.

Inno brand, which is essentially Thule. Both made in Sweden and virtually indistinguishable save for price. Etrailer.com is your best price.

Mine w/ RTT:







I have two sets. This is the super long set I use for 2 Kayaks:



Whoever said stock rack makes it hard to mount a RTT and you need an aftermarket rack to make it easier is wrong. There's plenty of room under the stock rack with aftermarket bars on top to get your hands in. Way more than with the Gobi, for sure. I know this because when I sold that RTT it took about 3 minutes for me to unbolt it by myself, and about 1 hour for 2 of us to install it onto the new owner's Gobi. Not enough room under it, plus the crossbars were poorly placed and barely long enough.

You could actually permanently mount the crossbars to the tent base and just take the whole assembly off as one unit, with easy access to the top and sides of the OEM rack.

 

We don't have the crossbars at all so we'd be starting from scratch there. Any brand recommendations?

 

See above, I edited while you posted

Jinx!!

 

I like your set up since, I want to alternate from my Yakima basket to RTT. Do you have links/serial # for the upgraded Stock Crossbars?

 

Same here. Prinsu website said 7-10 days lead time for a rack. Had it at my door in Canada in 5 days.

 

Thanks for the help! It's also nice that that appears to be the exact same RTT we have so I know it'll work well.

 

I saw the stays and cross bars on Amazon, no luck at Etrailer.com. What length are your shorter cross bars? Any direct links or part #s at Etrailer.com? Thanks.

 

I was happy with the stock rack per se but it didn't suit my needs as much I hoped. Surf boards, lumber etc. I upgraded to a CBI/Prinsu no-drill full length the other day and I'm very happy with the look. Now I need to get out and use it.

 

50"

Try this link:

https://www.etrailer.com/multi-prod...608&HHYear=2019&HHMake=Toyota&HHModel=4Runner

I'm super happy with them, really good quality.

 

I recently "discovered" this rack. I really like the look of it, and don't see too many people on the forums with it. How has your experience been? Now just need to convince the wife...

 

So one more thread jack here (sorry OP)

If you want to swap between basket and RTT get two sets of the bars, one set of the bases. Attach one set of bars permanently to the tent bottom, and one set of bars permanently to the top (not bottom) of the Yakima basket. By running the bars on the top you drop the basket down over 2" and really clean up the look / function. Extra bars are super cheap (like $100 or less for both) and this will make the setup super fast and easy. Just swap on the bases as needed for running RTT or basket:

 

I have a Westcott designs roof rack with a ladder, my 2018 off-road did not come with a roof rack. Mine is built so I can climb up on top and set up my tri-pod to take photos. I love it, no wind noise and low profile.

 

Here is what I wound up doing on my '18 TRD Off-Road. I put a Yakima Lock n Load on the factory rails. Only pain was removing the stock cross rails, i.e. getting the covers off the rear rail towers. I wanted a flat mounting surface for my kayak system (Thule Hullavator Pro), dog crates (no, they were not in them), and a Rocket Box (I had the mounts for it custom made. I also put ladder mounts on it for my collapsable ladder. All said and done I can put my yak on top and still fully open the rear hatch. Not too much noise on highway when all extras are off. YMMV

 

Any pics of said Yakima L-n-L?

 

Here is the link to the rack. I don't have any pics of mine at the moment.
https://yakima.com/products/locknlo...143.586907975.1607528330-389437896.1607528330