I took a slow or deliberate approach for rack and bed add-ons or changes. One element was for I use the whole long bed in work or traditional pickup ways. I'm working off road often but I also make fairly regular trips to places that are 500-1000 mile trips with freeway segments so want road manners, quiet and fuel economy.
For the bed I have a Fas-Top (soft topper and tonneau all in one also quickly removable). For rack I got Yakima crossbars and I swapped Baseline towers for Skyline and Landing pads recently. This is working out WAY better than associates who've got their beds covered or full of stuff and the rectangular style racks. The towers change once available makes them quick release and quieter..
I get the function of the rectangular style racks but from test rides and associates, they were noisy, dirt and ice collectors, tall and too narrow. Adding wider cross bars for boats and ladders was way too tall. 70 inch bars facilitate a pair of boats or the load easily to the side such as single boat or ladder.
This setup still lets me put a platform, basket or roof box on the rack. I can be far from home and have a topper already there when appropriate. It also gets me a simple and doesn't stand out look vs a rob me or give him a traffic citation look.
PSA if you go this route. The Tacoma roof has multiple fasteners and you can go for maximum bar spread. The measurement in Yakima instructions I recall 34.75 inches is for specific accessories compatibility.
Baseline towers worked fine but now I have the quick release aspect, and can also travel with the crossbars in the truck bed. I've got optional screen window for the Fas-Top as well. Basically a stealth overlander, town use, or my company's pickup truck in the same package.
For the bed I have a Fas-Top (soft topper and tonneau all in one also quickly removable). For rack I got Yakima crossbars and I swapped Baseline towers for Skyline and Landing pads recently. This is working out WAY better than associates who've got their beds covered or full of stuff and the rectangular style racks. The towers change once available makes them quick release and quieter..
I get the function of the rectangular style racks but from test rides and associates, they were noisy, dirt and ice collectors, tall and too narrow. Adding wider cross bars for boats and ladders was way too tall. 70 inch bars facilitate a pair of boats or the load easily to the side such as single boat or ladder.
This setup still lets me put a platform, basket or roof box on the rack. I can be far from home and have a topper already there when appropriate. It also gets me a simple and doesn't stand out look vs a rob me or give him a traffic citation look.
PSA if you go this route. The Tacoma roof has multiple fasteners and you can go for maximum bar spread. The measurement in Yakima instructions I recall 34.75 inches is for specific accessories compatibility.
Baseline towers worked fine but now I have the quick release aspect, and can also travel with the crossbars in the truck bed. I've got optional screen window for the Fas-Top as well. Basically a stealth overlander, town use, or my company's pickup truck in the same package.
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