3rd gen roof strength? Gobi or Baja rack

[NBBAZ]

Questions for any of you with a Gobi or Baja rack mounted to factory side rails.

How's your roof holding up? Any roof strength issues? I've read through and searched posts and I'm on the fence about somehow reinforcing the roof before I mount my Gobi rack. Is it necessary or will the 3rd gen roof really hold up to carrying cargo or using a roof top tent?

I'd like to hear from people who have used, and maybe abused, their roof racks that mount to factory side rails.

 

[UnderFire]

I loaded down my Yakima setup and had no troubles. Probably 300lbs in the basket on the factory location and another 2-300 tied down to the front Q towers. No issues at all.

 

[NBBAZ]

Anyone using a roof top tent have issues with the T4R roof holding up?

 

[jkeith.w]

Questions for any of you with a Gobi or Baja rack mounted to factory side rails.

How's your roof holding up? Any roof strength issues? I've read through and searched posts and I'm on the fence about somehow reinforcing the roof before I mount my Gobi rack. Is it necessary or will the 3rd gen roof really hold up to carrying cargo or using a roof top tent?

I'd like to hear from people who have used, and maybe abused, their roof racks that mount to factory side rails.

Are you concerned about the side rail mounts, or the forward legs?

When I did mine and Coward's racks my concern was the strength of the roof at the forward legs - which as it turns out was unnecessary, as the roof sheet thickness is significant above the A-pillars (I drilled pilot holes there to install rivnuts for bolting the front legs to the roof and was surprised to see that the steel looked like 2+ mm thick at casual glance...)

- on the other hand; I did see one rear corner of the roof flex a bit when Coward was standing on that part of the rack - and he's probably 160 pounds, I guess?

 

[NBBAZ]

Are you concerned about the side rail mounts, or the forward legs?

When I did mine and Coward's racks my concern was the strength of the roof at the forward legs - which as it turns out was unnecessary, as the roof sheet thickness is significant above the A-pillars (I drilled pilot holes there to install rivnuts for bolting the front legs to the roof and was surprised to see that the steel looked like 2+ mm thick at casual glance...)

- on the other hand; I did see one rear corner of the roof flex a bit when Coward was standing on that part of the rack - and he's probably 160 pounds, I guess?

I'm mostly concerned with the siderail mounting points buckling under the weight of a couple people or gear.

 

[GGFerrier]

Each of my factory crossbars had little stickers that said 160lbs max. Using that logic I've loaded mine down with 300lbs up top without issue. Mine isn't a "Gobi" but it's the same design.


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[jkeith.w]

I'm mostly concerned with the siderail mounting points buckling under the weight of a couple people or gear.

So I just happen to have headliner out at the moment:

You can see the stamped steel "rail" that runs along underneath the roof, and the two cross bars at the rear of the rails.

Where the forward mount of the rail section of the rack would be does not have a cross bar (just in front of C pillar)

The forward mount would have been my concern, but it carried Coward's body weight better than the rear corner, for whatever reason...

Hope that is helpful?


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[Sean K.]

Are you concerned about the side rail mounts, or the forward legs?

When I did mine and Coward's racks my concern was the strength of the roof at the forward legs - which as it turns out was unnecessary, as the roof sheet thickness is significant above the A-pillars (I drilled pilot holes there to install rivnuts for bolting the front legs to the roof and was surprised to see that the steel looked like 2+ mm thick at casual glance...)

]

- on the other hand; I did see one rear corner of the roof flex a bit when Coward was standing on that part of the rack - and he's probably 160 pounds, I guess?

I've run around on mine too....I'm 220 lbs. No flex or issues. I think the roof, while really thin, is pretty strong. Now, the middle might not be, but around the edges (where my rack is attached) appears to be strong enough for just about anything you could conceivably stick up there.

 

[97Run-Man]

Is the consensus that you could put a RTT with 2 adults and some dogs with no worries of weight issues?


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[tx_shooter]

Is the consensus that you could put a RTT with 2 adults and some dogs with no worries of weight issues?


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There are lots of pictures on Instagram where 3rd gen owners are using RTTs on their rigs. I have a CVT Mt Shasta Extended coming this week that is going on top of my 3rd gen.

 

[97Run-Man]

There are lots of pictures on Instagram where 3rd gen owners are using RTTs on their rigs. I have a CVT Mt Shasta Extended coming this week that is going on top of my 3rd gen.

I've seen them here on the form. Doesn't mean the truck is really capable of doing it.
Like 35's. They can fit but it isn't really good for the trucks, so far as I have seen.


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[jkeith.w]

How much does the RTT weigh?

My rack is 90lbs by itself; so if the factory setup is rated for 320, then would that leave 230 pound capacity for RTT + occupants? - or is that not applicable to a static load? (my assumption)


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[97Run-Man]

How much does the RTT weigh?

My rack is 90lbs by itself; so if the factory setup is rated for 320, then would that leave 230 pound capacity for RTT + occupants? - or is that not applicable to a static load? (my assumption)


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The tepui Kukenam SKY Siberian Camo comes in at 130 lbs. that's a 3 person tent which is probably what I would get.
I would assume that the weight is based on static loads. I don't think the roof can do dynamic loads. I could be wrong though.



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[tx_shooter]

I've seen them here on the form. Doesn't mean the truck is really capable of doing it.
Like 35's. They can fit but it isn't really good for the trucks, so far as I have seen.

If you are looking for a factory recommendation about it I have never seen one.

How much does the RTT weigh?

My rack is 90lbs by itself; so if the factory setup is rated for 320, then would that leave 230 pound capacity for RTT + occupants? - or is that not applicable to a static load? (my assumption)

Everything I have read about those weight rating are in regards to weight capacity while the vehicle is moving. All the aftermarket rack companies tend to list static loads much higher than moving loads. Going back to the examples; there are other rigs using aftermarket racks and RTTs with multiple occupants for numerous seasons.

 

[NBBAZ]

Thanks everyone for all the input! I'm going to brave the roof strength and mount up the Gobi. I actually am mounting a Gobi rack for a 1st gen Sequoia. I like the wider rack. It should be about the width of the upper door openings instead of the factory rail area. I'll report out how it goes.

 

[stevets]

I've put on perhaps 6000 miles - both interstate and off road - with my Tuff Stuff RTT on my 2002 Runner. Through cold, hot , altitude, 80+mph without a worry or indication of any problem.
It's mounted to a rack I built that deletes the stock rails and mount directly to the rail mounting bolts. I built a similar rack for my sons '98 and he's also put on thousands of miles with a loaded Thule roof box and no problems.

Both racks do have a fairing in front to help get the wind over the top of the RTT. The fairings comes right down to the roof deck to eliminate any lift from wind getting underneath the rack.

 

[Snowden]

Thanks everyone for all the input! I'm going to brave the roof strength and mount up the Gobi. I actually am mounting a Gobi rack for a 1st gen Sequoia. I like the wider rack. It should be about the width of the upper door openings instead of the factory rail area. I'll report out how it goes.

That's interesting [MENTION=119024]NBBAZ[/MENTION]. I'll look forward to hearing your results. I saw a standard 3rd Gen size Gobi in person finally and I was surprised at how much smaller it was than I had expected from pictures I'd first seen. Smaller as in 'wow what is the point' and for all those $$$$...

 

[NBBAZ]

That's interesting [MENTION=119024]NBBAZ[/MENTION]. I'll look forward to hearing your results. I saw a standard 3rd Gen size Gobi in person finally and I was surprised at how much smaller it was than I had expected from pictures I'd first seen. Smaller as in 'wow what is the point' and for all those $$$$...

Yeah, IMO the Gobi rack that is built for the 3rd gen is kinda narrow, so when this one I have for the Sequoia came up on Craigslist i snatched it up. I'll post up some pics when I get it mounted up.

 

[96Runr]

Photos [MENTION=119024]NBBAZ[/MENTION]? Really interested how the Sequoia rack mounts on 3rd Gen

 

[jkeith.w]

Incidentally, my full length rack is available (see photo above for an example) if anyone needs one.


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