Basket Type Roof Rack

Can anyone tell me if there is a basket style roof rack that that is easy to install preferably right to the existing stock roof rack. Many seem really expensive I seen one on harbor freight $89 but think it’s probably very cheap. Thanks

 

I'm in the same boat, going on a camping trip and need a little bit more space but I dent need a full rack because it won't get used that often, there are the harbor friegh extendable style on Amazon I have been eye balling, one thing to note is the factory weight limit on the stock bars

 

Yakima megawarrior comes stock on the venture attaching to factory rails.

 

Rolla goes easy onto the factory crossbars.

 

I have a Yakima Megawarrior with the extension. It can attach to the factory cross bars. But, I attach mine directly to the side-rails with carriage bolts and angle channel. I can remove and install it in minutes, and it's a lot more solid than being mounted to the factory cross bars.



Here's the post on my build thread:

https://www.4runners.com/threads/th...ll-of-my-money-went.12919/page-16#post-263894

 

This ^

 

I got a Yakima knock off on Amazoné for under $500 CAD if that interests you. Comes with u-brackets that fasten to factory crossbars.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/wh...h-gen-4runner-today.2261/page-809#post-449655

 

I looked at a very similar basket. I can't remember why I changed my mind. It looks nice!

 

No disrespect to Harbor Freight - I have some of their stuff and in the right situation it's served its purpose and it's cheap. But I have to say, one of the last places I want something cheap is riding on top of my 4Runner carrying precious cargo blowing down the Interstate at 75mph. I have the Yakima Megawarrior and its carried so much stuff, so many times, that I've lost count. It was stock on my 21 Venture and attaches to the factory roof rails. If I hadn't gotten it stock I'd have bought one. We've had Yeti's stacked 2-high on it, day tent's, bicycles, gas cans, cargo cases, trunks, you name it. And amazingly it still looks like new after all that. I understand it's more expensive than some of the others mentioned, but it's worth it.

 

Whatever basket style rack you go with, I highly recommend sealing the parts that join the rack together. Those points are moisture intrusion points and with the constant vibration are prone to rust.

 

does anyone know what the factory cross bar weight limit is?

 

Owners manual 2021 4Runner - Page 190 - "Do not exceed 120 lb. (54kg) cargo weight on the roof luggage carrier."

 

I second the Rolla basket. I’ve had roof racks from them on other vehicles and still have a rear cargo carrier from them. They have the standard version which fits perfectly and sell an extension section should you need to go longer. I have a waterproof bag that fits it perfectly for luggage etc. Easy installation and a solid option for a reasonable price. Not the best photo but it’s all I had currently. If you need a better one and are interested let me know. I’ll snap a few pics.

 

Is there any downside to connecting the basket to the actual rails instead of the crossbars to support more weight?

 

I don’t think that’s the way it was designed if you are talking about the Rolla rack. The brackets have a cradle that wraps around the cross bars at 4 points.

 

These are good for mounting the Rola rack directly to the rails. https://www.4xinnovations.com/03-23-4Runner-Rola-Rack-Mount-Kit_p_43.html
That gets the rack a tad lower than mounting to the crossbars, which IMO reduces wind noise a little and also makes it less taller.

I weave bungee cords through the rack tubes to stop their singing on the road.

 

How much noise do they make? And, does it have a wind fairing?

I had a MOAB basket when I first got mine, and without a fairing it sounded like I was driving around in a 1960's tornado movie.

Now, I have the Yakima Megawarrior with the extension, and it only produces a low rumble, which is easy to ignore.

 

I'm not sure what basket you're referring to, but I love having my Megawarrior attached directly to the side-rails. Check the link in post #5 in this thread if you're interested.

 

It has a wind fairing, pretty much like the Yakima one. The noise the tubes make is speed-dependent. It's a low rumble around town, but harmonics come in at highway speed. The bungees push the resonant frequencies much higher and kill the sound altogether. I don't know if the Yakima tubes are stiffer or not, but they might be.

 

This is perfect thank you, I'm about to order!