Quote:
Originally Posted by pluton
Question about the load bearing bars: Is their purpose to protect the roof if luggage is placed directly in the roof surface? Are they necessary for side-to-side dimensional stability of the rack? If I run a roof rack (Yakima) perched on top of the stock crossbars, can I eliminate the smaller load bearing bars? Your thoughts?
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Hey, I apologize for the late response. The 3 bars have the ability to disperse the weight more evenly across with their adjustability and rubber strips that are on the bottom of each of them. You would be fine removing them. I doubt they offer any added structural rigidity to the roof rack.
Tangent: I'm always weirded out whenever I see a 3rd gen that has a completely loaded roof with an aftermarket rack, roof top tent and several other accessories mounted. The factory rails are only held on by 10 very short T-25 screws that bolt to the skin of the roof. It's clear that Toyota designed it for light cargo (kayaks, cargo carrier box) Just does not seem wise.
If I were you, I would mount the Yakima bars directly to the stock rails and bypass using the 2 larger bars. Those bars have an inferior design and crack easily where the feet and the middle of the bar join.