Roof Rack recommendations?

[rideradk]

Looking to get a roof rack. Been eyeing the one from Greenlane Offroad since I have their rock sliders and skid plate both of which look fantastic. For those of you who added a rack, which one did you get and why? Did you opt for a light bar option? How much does it block the sunroof (it looks like with the Greenlane, I could skip installing the second cross member back and have most of the sunroof clear)? How to you clear snow off the roof with the rack on? Thanks in advance!

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[RustyB]

I love my Westcott roof rack. 0 wind noise (without side cut outs or light bar)

 

[Bcphoto3]

Prinsu Pro with lightbar cutout and lightbar installed. Great rack.

 

[bemmster]

I'm waiting for the Lietner ACS roof rack to go with my bed rack. It's got some really good options to hide the wires for whatever lighting option you go with. Haven't really been able to get any solid info though for how much noise it makes.

 

[jsuber]

I love my Rhino Rack but I do not recommend the Pioneer if you plan on a roof top tent. They really dropped the ball.

 

[Blam]

Anything but the toyota one....60kg/130lbs weight limit and it's horrendously loud on the highway. Above 110kmh/65mph it shakes your mirror like a vibrator.

Now, to be fair, it was insanely windy when I was on my road trip but even on mild days it gets pretty loud.

It's coming off this weekend because my experience was so bad.

 

[StreeTaco]

RCI- the only one available that actually follows the roofline above the windshield.

 

[dvrgz]

Sherpa Rainier Roof Rack



https://www.tacoma4g.com/forum/threads/sherpa-the-rainier-roof-rack.9639/

 

[bitflogger]

FWIW, Yakima sent me a message that landing pad mounts are finally in development for the 4th gen Tacoma, and for traditional or conventional towers, the 180 model clips are available now.

 

[Blam]

Has anyone put on a rack that hasnt significantly affected gas mileage?

I took the oem one off my trailhunter and found that the rack used 50% more fuel on the highway.
I went from 16.5l/100 down to 11l/100

 

[bitflogger]

Has anyone put on a rack that hasnt significantly affected gas mileage?

I took the oem one off my trailhunter and found that the rack used 50% more fuel on the highway.
I went from 16.5l/100 down to 11l/100

That highlights part but strong reasoning for why I'm waiting for the Yakima landing pads, or will get towers with clips if the new ones for Tacoma are not out in the next month. It is not an exact comparison but I have these observations from associates that are weighing on me.

When our won't fit Tacoma but crossbars rack is on my wife's car it is a 4% drop for a highway trip with board pads on the crossbars. Associates with similar vehicles and platform or basket types complain the same unloaded driving is a 15% to 25% drop and they don't have the same easy or fast on and off scenario. One gripes about wind noise and the relative bother if he wants to remove it all.

Beyond fuel mileage and simplicity, if my Fas-Top is in tonneau or topper mode they will still travel taking minimal space in the bed and not stand out with a tourist/poseur/bro or rob me look.

 

[Bcphoto3]

Has anyone put on a rack that hasnt significantly affected gas mileage?

I took the oem one off my trailhunter and found that the rack used 50% more fuel on the highway.
I went from 16.5l/100 down to 11l/100

I find that hard to believe from just the roof rack.. Been talking to son (pHD ME) and just a rack will effect some, the more you put up there, the more drag. But not enough to cause a 50% difference.. Maybe 10%..

 

[soupy1234]

I find that hard to believe from just the roof rack.. Been talking to son (pHD ME) and just a rack will effect some, the more you put up there, the more drag. But not enough to cause a 50% difference.. Maybe 10%..

I don't have a cab rack yet but the one I put on my shell (low profile with front airfoil) dropped my mpg from 23.7 to 22.8 on the 1000 mi round trip that I use to compare mileage. In comparison, adding the shell showed a slight improvement of 23.5 to 23.7.
If I do decide I need a front rack, I'll be getting one that is easy to install and remove.

 

[bitflogger]

I find that hard to believe from just the roof rack.. Been talking to son (pHD ME) and just a rack will effect some, the more you put up there, the more drag. But not enough to cause a 50% difference.. Maybe 10%..

I was surprised by 50% claim, but this is also simple math to calculate. These 4th gen pickups are quick to take a hit in highway economy and just my bike hitch rack with Fas-Top in tonneau mode often drops the trip to our cabin by 20%. Putting my hitch rack or bikes inside (Fas-Top topper mode) can make a 10%-20% difference.

High speed is the real killer no matter what. I can only meet or beat the EPA ratings closer to the actual EPA test. 70 MPH and faster on the freeway needs a strong tailwind for good fuel milage.

 

[Blam]

I was surprised by 50% claim, but this is also simple math to calculate. These 4th gen pickups are quick to take a hit in highway economy and just my bike hitch rack with Fas-Top in tonneau mode often drops the trip to our cabin by 20%. Putting my hitch rack or bikes inside (Fas-Top topper mode) can make a 10%-20% difference.

High speed is the real killer no matter what. I can only meet or beat the EPA ratings closer to the actual EPA test. 70 MPH and faster on the freeway needs a strong tailwind for good fuel milage.

honestly it blew my mind. i instantly saw an increase in gas mileage and an extra 100kms of range the day after i removed the rack. city mileage was not really affected much. maybe 10% at best. but the numbers i got in my post are real numbers. no change in cargo (if anything lightened my load since the wife was not with me)
at 100kmh, i was getting 16-17L / 100km on highway. consistently, in eco mode.
with no rack travelling 110 (speed limit) i was getting anywhere frm 10-11.5L/100km

same route. same destination. same cargo (minus the wife and shes only 130lbs)

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