Am I pushing the limits of my roof rack?

[4runsport]

Well a thought occurred to the the other day when I was driving to the lake. I have a rola rack w/o ext mounted on factory crossbars. On top of the rola rack I was carrying 2 kayaks about 50/60lbs each. I know there is a weight limit on the rack but I was wondering if this is for roof weight(as in will the roof crush down) or rack weight (as in too much crap on the roof, gonna snap the bars off). Its summer so this is a regular occurrence almost every weekend. Opinions?

 

[99runnerwa]

I am not sure where they get the weight limit from, but it is not a structural limit. I believe the weight limit is a dynamic weight due to changes in stability. Isnt the posted weight limit up there close to two hundred pounds?

 

[Carolinafan]

I have seen cross bars bent, but don't know what caused it. I hope it's not too much weight because I have the rola rack w/ extension and plan on throwing 2 kayaks up there.

Then again, I could just throw them on my girlfriends, I think her parents just bought her a 2 kayak rack.

Anyway, I think you should be fine. Don't quote me on that though. But I would just throw them up there and not think twice. But I'm more of a "shoot first, ask questions later" type of guy.:ak472:

 

[4runsport]

I guess one of the big concerns is what exactly are those crossbars made of? I love having the Rola up there with the kayaks because I have like a ton more points for my ratchet straps to grab hold of at all angles.

 

[Mr. Leary]

You're gonna need to put a lot of weight up there to really make the b and c pillars work. I would only concern yourself with the capacity of the rack itself (and it will bend rather then break) and the instability. All that weight up there can make cornering a dangerous maneuver.

I have ditched my roof rack in favor of some good ol' fashioned cross bars, but in the past I have carried a total load of over 300 lbs up there while on a trip.

 

[99runnerwa]

I know 120 lbs is no issue when it comes to cornering, im not sure how much it would take to be noticeably different. I put 120 lbs of sand on my rack so i could get a feel for how it would handle with a roof top tent of a similar weight, and really except for a looping freeway on ramp taken a bit fast i could hardly tell it was up there

 

[the great him]

toyota rates its factory racks and crossbars to 165lbs(it says so on the sticker on the crossbar) so you are fine.

 

[Spish]

I weigh 220 and I climb in mine to get on the roof of my house

 

[4runsport]

I weigh 220 and I climb in mine to get on the roof of my house

hahaha so thats what you use for ladders in AZ, I was wondering lol jk :jump:

 

[raidernation]

I can lash and ratchet strap stuff to my rack using the 'crossbar ends (ones with the holes that lock the cross bar in place) that screw into the main rails' correct? Never had a roof rack before and I'm looking to lash some 'upside down' plastic tubs to the roof.

 

[Maritimer]

I hope it's just a matter of the rack or stability otherwise I'm gonna get one of those hefty VW Golfs I see riding around with kayaks on the top and bikes on the back.

 

[4runsport]

I can lash and ratchet strap stuff to my rack using the 'crossbar ends (ones with the holes that lock the cross bar in place) that screw into the main rails' correct? Never had a roof rack before and I'm looking to lash some 'upside down' plastic tubs to the roof.

Thats usually where I set the one hook into. I put one end of the ratchet strap through that hole and the other attaches to the rola rack. Seems to hold it very well. I would never tie anything to those little nub things that are scattered along the track as well.