Show me your rack! I can't decide between Prinsu, Frontrunner, Gobi

I will overland and put camping stuff up there and also surfboards and kayaks, etc. can't decide. LIke the Gobi look but not the lead time, like the Prinsu but not the lack of attachments, love the front runner options but not so much the looks.... any insight would be appreciated!! I will get a Gobi Ladder (eventually haha) regardless, but I can't decide on what to put on top......

 

You can go ahead and eliminate Prinsu as an option.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/roof-rack-showdown-prinsu-vs-southern-style-offroad.8591/

 

I was in the same boat as you and wanted a Gobi but didn’t want to wait so I decided on a Victory 4x4 rack. I didn’t like the look of the front runner and heard a lot of problems with the prinsu. I don’t really have any complaints with the victory rack as I like the look and it works as intended but if I was you I would wait for the Gobi

 

Do you have a sunroof and use it? If so take front runner off your list as well.

I bit the bullet and bought a gobi but rci just dropped their modular design today and it’s in stock ready to ship. Looks a lot like prinsu. Victory’s mounting for their rack is a lot better than prinsu so I’ll be ordering a victory for my wife’s she doesn’t like the look of the gobi

also here’s my unsolicited advice if you can wait and really want a gobi then get the gobi and tiff it out. Maybe buy a cheap set of cross rails off someone like the lfd ones to tied you over. I really wanted the gobi at first too and instead got the front runner. So now I’m still waiting on a gobi vs if I’d had ordered it from the get go I’d already have it.

 

hmmm so with a Gobi, it doesn't have slots like the others, so do I use round bar accessories like a yakima?? I will have to research that further. I can certainly wait if it's what I want. THANK YOU

 

I have a Gobi, I like it quite a bit, but if I could talk to myself in the past this is probably the biggest question I'd ask myself...

What do you plan on mounting up there? Front Runner for example modularity is a lot better than the Gobi, the Gobi is a cool basket, but besides mounting to the exterior bars, mounting to the expanded metal deck is kinda weird.

If you're just looking for looks, 100% get the Gobi, it looks killer. But look into what you actually want to do with the rack. Do you want a roof top tent? Do you want to mount water proof boxes? Recovery tools?

Find out what your end goal is and pick a rack from there, rather than picking a rack and then just putting stuff on it.

Hope that helps!

 

I have zero experience with roof racks so far but I ordered a upTOP Overland Bravo rack and am still waiting for it to arrive. The Bravo is sunroof compatible as well. Part of the reason I ordered it is because they are a local company for me and a little internetting has told me that people that have the racks like them.

 

Gobi for functionality every day. Not gobi for waiting 10 years to get it.

 

Well now that is a nice rack!

 

I’ll add back to my comment after re reading the original post. Like @PVT Pablo stated find out what you’ll use the rack for. The frontrunner for attaching is the best I don’t think there’s a better rack out there for that. However you still need to a way to attach those. On my current front runner I have about 30 of these m8 tie down rings Lependor Ring Shape Lifting Eye...

$10 Lependor M8 Metric Ring Shape Lifting Eye Nut 304 Stainless Steel Lifting Eye Threaded Nut Fastener - 10 Pcs M8 (5/16"）

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083BZJZCH?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share then it’s a matter of putting the ratchet strap over it and tighten down. All you’ve gotta do is drop a m8 bolt in the slot and done. You can move the slats around to match what you’re mounting but only so much. Because the mounts tie into the cross bars.


Prinsu and all the others that use slotted 2x1 extruded aluminum same concept but a little more pricey you get 4 for 12.00+ of those tie down rings where as the m8 you get basically 1.00 a piece.

Then you have gobi. Yes they have their delta hook system but I don’t know how Cost effective it is. While I was doing my research I found these 8 Pieces Heavy Duty Ratchet Double J Hook , High Strength Steel Over Tire Wire Hook for 1inch 25mm Tie Down Strap Webbing Car Hauler Tie Down Auto Transporter Trailer

8 Pieces Heavy Duty Ratchet Double J Hook , High Strength Steel Over Tire Wire Hook for 1" 25mm Tie Down Strap Webbing Car Hauler Tie Down Auto Transporter Trailer

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082LMXM6H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZR1DNNP37PX6V6GR7GMB?_encoding=UTF8

I plan on using these to fit into the mesh floor when a normal ratchet strap won’t fit but not for really heavy hold downs so it won’t compromise the mesh (if that’s even a concern) but a lot of forum posts across jeeps, fj’s, 4runners, and even the hummers all seemed to like these for stuff that doesn’t go bar to bar like my gazelle tent and propane fire pit.

All in all there’s a solution for almost any rack you get you just gotta know what you’re looking for.


There’s ton of diy stuff out there too if you’re up for that without having to buy what ever company you go withs proprietary mounts.

 

Second for the Uptop Overland Bravo. I kayak and my Yakima Jfold mounts up no problem, the overhang on the side is perfect too. I also have an Ironman 4x4 8' awning mounted. And while I am not crazy about the way my Thule Motion XXL cargo carrier mounts (it doesn't have a flat bottom) a little creative thinking makes it work. Sherpa Crestone rack was the other I considered as well as the Westcott Designs

 

I was thinking a different rack entirely but I'm sure the moderators would not allow it. lol.

 

my gobi has some spots that where the powder coating has chipped...it is a concern(lil paint will fix but shouldn’t have happened so soon, will have to TRY n contact the girls over there)

I have an awning n homemade shower n scene lights on my sides(gzila mounts are great, cheaper options out there but these are solid, USA, n on sale when bought) so the tubes can be used pretty well with those style mounts n you can add quick fists

as for the mesh I use gasket material and washers, it’s a lil awkward but very strong n compact

These are great(can’t copy n paste) but on Amazon
YYST stainless steel Bimini Pad fisherman loops

I have them placed in various spots and can use endless ratchets to keep boxes/gear down

circular electrical covers with some long hex bolts fit perfect for mounting rotopax

You’ll be able to put anything you want on any rack, depends on how easy you want that be, just takes creativity n google images

Will try n find some pics

 

UpTop Overland makes a decent product, I just don’t like that the rack comes with 2x1 bars like the Prinsu instead of 3x1 bars like some of the others.

 

https://trail4runner.com/2017/12/04/5th-gen-4runner-roof-racks/

 

Recently installed a rack from AlphaFoxtrot. Take a look at them, well engineered, great price, free shipping.

 

Yeah well it's not the size of the bars but what you do with them, right? RIGHT?

 

Maybe…. But you’d be hard pressed to find someone that doesn’t prefer a larger firmer bar, despite their willingness to make due with whatever bar is included in the package lol

 

what racks can fit the Thule motion XL cargo box?

 

It'll fit on pretty much any rack but because it isn't a flat bottom and the way the clamps go around the bars you have to get creative and either move or remove bars or get track bolts and fix mount it with some way to support the gap. The other issue I found was if you mount it off center you'll have clearance issues with the roof and the clamp if you have a low clearance rack

 

Can’t go wrong with the victory. It’s a solid rack and was at my door within two weeks. Got one ordered for a 100 series land cruiser too.

 

Gobi. Like it so far

 

You got the no-rise Gobi! Love it!!

 

. Not the best picture but here is a shot of our Sherpa Rack, bought it mainly because it has the best mounting system in my opinion.

 

Gobi, nothing else is close for reliability and ease of use, and I did a lot of research. The wait SUCKS but it’s worth it IMO…

 

I love my Uptop Overland Bravo, and the support team is killer.



(wife not included)

 

Another "thumbs up" for the Victory 4 x 4 roof rack. I don't know if the other roof rack options are based on T-slot hardware, but that is great for flexibility. I added a platform for a gas can and mounting brackets for the RoadShower using maybe $20 worth of parts. T-slots are like tinker-toys for grown-ups. Just don't buy the T-slot nuts and bolts from Victory 4 x 4 - they are ridiculously overpriced. I had good luck with TNUTZ.com.



(And the roof rack doesn't seem to interfere with any of the shark fin radios.)

I also installed the Victory 4 x 4 hatch ladder, which is OK, but the top side mounting is lame. The top wiggles around, particularly when carrying the shovel. I added two bolts to the top mounting bracket attached to rivet-nuts on the top of the hatch and now the ladder is securely attached. But out of the box the Victory 4 x 4 hatch ladder is deficient.

 

How do those Plano boxes work for you on the Gobi rack? I already use one in the back for recovery gear but was not sure about using them up top in the wind and rain. I would rather not have a permanently mounted storage box.

 

Yeah. Glad I did. Went that route for when/if I mount my Thule cargo box.