Am thinking about getting a roof rack for my 4runner and thought I would see what experience everyone has had with theirs......

What do you like the most about yours?
How easy was it to install?
Any problems so far?
Any accessories (lights, spare tire, jack etc)

Whitson Metalworks!!! Half the price of the gobi stealth and just as good or better.

Not sure what gen you're asking about but I am definitely going with a Whitson Metalworks for my 3rd gen. By far the best full length 3rd gen rack out there and its reasonably priced.

Thanks guys! I run an 03 4th gen.... Do you know if Whitson Metalworks makes a rack for 4th gen?

Ideally am thinking a rack that replaces the stock rack and has a low profile so I can get it in the garage.... This will be primarily for camping....

@Whitson Metalworks is looking into making a 4th gen rack but has yet to get a truck in for measurements and test fitting.

I currently have the Gobi Stealth but originally bought the Yakima MegaWarrior.

What do you like the most about yours?
Gobi- Low profile, holds 300 lb driving, looks great, pretty easy to remove with a drill and hex bit but it's heavy and requires another guy (GF can't do it).
Yakima- looked pretty good, could mount yakima accessories, very easy to remove to save MPG when wanted (by myself).

How easy was it to install?
Gobi - really easy, just remove the stock rack and attach Gobi feet to bolt holes, attach rack to feet, ?????, profit
Yakima - also really easy, had 4 clamps that held onto the stock crossbars. tightened by hand with knob style nuts

Any problems so far?
Gobi - Not yet, but I've seen a couple of people complain about problems with powder coat.
Yakima - didn't have any, but it was much weaker and can't hold as much weight since it attaches to the stock crossbars and it's 43 lb. has to be subtracted from the total carrying capacity leaving you only about 70-80 lbs.

Any accessories (lights, spare tire, jack etc)
Gobi - ladder, sunroof extension, lights, bike mounts, jack mount, other accessories available (tire, shovel & axe, tool box)
Yakima - lights and bike mounts, other accessories available (tire, jack, shovel & axe)

Thanks Matt! Exactly what I was hoping to find out.... The Gobi sounds very much like what I was looking for but sounds like it might be worth waiting a while to see if Whitson Metalworks will be able to offer a 4th gen rack.... Have read some of the write ups for the various vendors but it really helps to get that "real world experience"......

BTW, how do you like the ladder? Can you still use the rear door?

Bob

Yeah I can use the hatch but it's wearing on the struts a lot.

I think I'm about to take it off again until someone makes some struts for it.ive contacted a strut warehouse and strong arm struts about getting something but nothing is available that short and stronger than what I have (strong arm OEM replacement struts).

I was told by one of them that they were trying to develop something for just this application but it would be at least spring of this year.

I haven't purchased one yet but I e noticed a lot of people on hear have or talk about gobi racks. I'm coming from tacomaworld where a lot of people use the frontrunner rack havnt seen to many on hear though


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I have the largest travel case made and it's a must for long snowboarding trips


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Prinsu!

Yakima!

For my purposes I believe this is the best solution..Thule is a close second IMO.
I use it primarily to haul bicycles and skis. I have 2 vehicles equipped with Yakima Load Bars and the accessories are very easy to move around. I can carry up to 5 bikes or up to 8-10 pairs of skis, 8 snowboards, or a combination of both.

I have a rocket box as well if I need additional storage, but it is seldom used because I can't my part my T4R in the garage with it on top. With the ski and/or bike racks on top I can "just" fit in the garage with a 3" lift and 265's.

Enjoy your new rack!

I want a roof rack so bad, but I have no idea where to begin. How easy are they to install and remove? How do you clean underneath them?

When you are shopping for a rack, first consider what you will be using it for. All of racks have different purposes and have different styles.

For example, on my Rav4, I have a Yakima Loadwarrior. It is a great rack and with its high sides, I am able to throw my loose cargo (duffle bags, fishing poles, etc.) into it and simply cover it with a net.

On my 4Runner, I have a Whitson Metalworks (no longer in business but similar to Gobi). It is large and it is heavy but is full length. The bottom has a steel mesh with much smaller holes that allows me to easily throw smaller stuff up there. With 21 square feet of space, I can throw all kinds of stuff up there and easily strap it down.

Now if I wanted to mount an ARB tent on top, I would have to make modifications to both racks because neither have horizontal crossbars. There are new styles of racks that are now completely flat and have a different purpose than "basket" racks. Rhino Rack (Pioneer Platforms | Rhino-Rack) is a popular option that is flat. Why is this advantageous? It's much easier to mount a rooftop tent and your load distribution is better balanced throughout the span of the rack instead of simply relying on horizontal cross members. These styles of racks still allow you to strap stuff down but you must be extra cautious because your stuff can easily slide off having 3 degrees of freedom that must be fixed.

When you are shopping for a rack, first define your budget because racks range from $200-$2000. Then decide what you'll be using it for. Is it simply to mount Rotopax, spare tire, Maxtraxx, shovel, rooftop tent, awning, hi-lift jacks, etc. that will stay up all the time? Or will it be empty most of the time and just used for your extra cargo when needed? That will help you decide whether you want something that will permanently hold stuff like recovery gear or if it will be used regularly to put stuff up and down. Baskets are simply easier for loose cargo and flat racks have lots of expensive adapters for extra toys. See https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.co...rack-kits.html for examples.

Other factors to consider:
1) You will lose gas mileage. Aerodynamic racks help. Fairings help.
2) Extra weight sucks. How much weight do you want to be hauling around everywhere you go?
3) You'll be top heavy. It is never recommended to house spare tires and liquids on the roof because those items greatly shift your center of mass and you don't want to tip, obviously.
4) Will you still fit in your garage? If applicable.
5) Is it easy to remove and can you do it alone?

I can remove my Yakima rack alone which is great for washing and waxing. There is no way I could remove the full length Whitson rack alone. Make sure you keep all lightbars and electronics on weatherproof quick disconnects!!! Every few months, you may want to remove the rack so you can get a thorough wash and a coat of wax under there because the roof will take a beating in hot sun and dust when you cant wash it regularly. Try a pressure washer.

Good luck, shop around, and look at pictures of others. :-)

-Michael

The Yakima road warrior is similar to what I wanted, but I was hoping to get something a little more permanent.

I just did a lot more reading, and I think the Gobi Stealth is the way to go. Seems pretty easy/non permanent (although tedious) to install and looks great while still allowing you to go into a normal garage.

great advice. thank you!