Benefit of roof rack?

WindomEarles

WindomEarles

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What's the benefit of a roof rack? Probably a stupid question but curious to see what people use them for. They do look cool!
 
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Roof Rack

I wont dig at you for a stupid question. But, what I use my 4R for is primarily work. Custom carpentry, mostly window treatments. What doesn't fit in the trailer...goes up there. Quite handy for long items, big stuff, or dirty things you don't want inside your ride.
 
Even though I don't have one, I see the benefit every time I haul something that I thought would fit in the truck, that doesn't. the stock roof rack is useless.

I think about getting one a lot, but my frustration over the stock one isn't worth $1,200 yet.
 
Jesse1983 said:
Even though I don't have one, I see the benefit every time I haul something that I thought would fit in the truck, that doesn't. the stock roof rack is useless.

I think about getting one a lot, but my frustration over the stock one isn't worth $1,200 yet.
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I can rent a LOT of open trailers for $1,200. I have spent around $150 renting a trailer for hauling stuff since 2011, when I got rid of my truck.
[MENTION=81456]WindomEarles[/MENTION], they look cool, you can mount lights on them and you can haul some stuff on them. They are more practical than trailers if you go on a lot of extended off road trips.

They are heavy and will drop your gas mileage a few tenths. They also are an excellent source of wind noise. They have their advantages and disadvantages. I had one back in the 80's, fully expecting to use mine all the time. I don't think I ever put anything up there in the 3 years I owned it. It did look cool though!
 
Think of the children......

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As stated- the lights are great. Front for dark, narrow roads, rear for launching my boat. CB antenna is mounted to the rack.

I always haul stuff up there- plywood, bikes, last weekend I had a bunch of fence posts strapped to it. I've even hauled a 14' Jon Boat up there, including the motor.

I use it to attach an awning while camping.

The kids like to watch fireworks up there too!

Very useful addition- and it looks cool too. The ladder rocks!
 
anything you don't want to carry INSIDE the vehicle can be carried up top.

something dirty? or something just too big to go inside? strap it up top. I put a Thule MOAB on mine, and locked it down, spent less than $500 (including the purchase of crossbars).

The noise of the air deflector is noticeable at certain speeds tho.
 
I use mine all the time. We spend a lot of time traveling to and around Colorado. With my wife, two kids and a 70 lb dog we have a lot of gear and no place to put it in back (because of the dog). All of the luggage goes on the rack for general trips and camping trips. We also store extra water and fuel up there when we're in the back country for a few days. It really depends on what you use your 4R for as to whether or not you use it and need it or just want one.
 
I wouldn't want one in the Northeast even if I had a use for it. South or West maybe though.

It would just turn into a rusting exo-skeleton attached to your truck up here unless you really baby your truck and have a garage maybe. No matter how "corrosion resistent" they claim it to be...just imo.
 
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submarinepirate said:
it's obviously aftermarket. As I said I put a Thule MOAB on mine, and I'd never put anything straight on the paint of my truck. Scratch the hell out of my paint? no thanks!
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well I must be a retard to not be able to decipher your obviousness. I can put things that don't fit inside my truck, or things that are dirty, on my factory rack. it's just not as long, or as accommodating as an aftermarket one. It appears you bought something that attaches to the factory rack, thus making a hybrid type rack - basically just adding a basket, not length, to your existing rack. not exactly what I think the OP was asking about.
 
I use mine a ton - I usually pack 40L of spare fuel up there when I'm out in the bush or driving through touristy areas with expensive fuel. The recovery gear goes up there in a large ammo box when I'm out in remote areas. It's a mount for my CB antenna and auxiliary lighting. I've also been known to climb up there to gain a vantage point when I'm out doing some photography. And it's great for carrying bulky, heavy, or dirty items that you wouldn't want flying around the interior in case of an accident.

Chicks dig it.
 
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