Current Pro roof rack in a touchless carwash?

[AgentKooper]

I've researched various carwash threads and haven't seen this specific issue addressed. I'm curious to hear about people's experiences with the Pro rack and touchless (i.e., water jets and blow dryers only) carwashes.

The top of the Pro rack is about 7 inches above the roof. The signage at my local carwash is ambiguous. One sign indicates I shouldn't go through; another sign right next to it indicates it should be fine as long as I avoid certain wash options. I've seen lifted trucks with aftermarket racks in line previously and am not aware of any issues.

I will attempt to contact the carwash management for specific advice before going through, but in the meantime I'm just curious to hear what experiences folks with this rack might have had.

(I know the safest bet is to wash it myself at home, or use the self-service bays, but sometimes a drive-through is just really convenient for a quick blast, and I'm hoping that's still an option.)

 

[AgentKooper]

Update: I happened to be driving by the car wash in question this afternoon and saw a manager outside, so I stopped and asked for clarification. He checked out the roof rack and guaranteed me the basic wash would be fine. He was more hesitant to sign off on the higher level washes (high pressure wax, clear coat conditioner, blow dryer), though he thought they would be okay too. I’m content with the basic jet wash and underbody blast, so that’s good news. Didn’t get a chance to test it out — the line was a mile long so I just used the self serve bay after all.


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[Saker]

The only downside to that car wash I could see would be the harsh chemicals used to remove the grime from your T4R.
That and high pressure water is the only way it can be removed.
Probably still a much better choice that driving thru one with brushes that contact your paint!

 

[euser]

The only downside to that car wash I could see would be the harsh chemicals used to remove the grime from your T4R.
That and high pressure water is the only way it can be removed.
Probably still a much better choice that driving thru one with brushes that contact your paint!

I’ve used a touch car wash on my lifted 4Runner with a Gobi rack for over a year with no issues. People are pretty dramatic about this stuff. It’s a 4runner, not a Rolls Royce.

 

[Saker]

I’ve used a touch car wash on my lifted 4Runner with a Gobi rack for over a year with no issues. People are pretty dramatic about this stuff. It’s a 4runner, not a Rolls Royce.

“With no issues”
Ok


Damn, sorry.... I thought I was on the Rolls forum

 

[daytonaviolet]

i've ran my runner w/ trd pro rack a about 1/2 dozen times this year in a touchless carwash.. no issues

 

[AgentKooper]

I’ve used a touch car wash on my lifted 4Runner with a Gobi rack for over a year with no issues. People are pretty dramatic about this stuff. It’s a 4runner, not a Rolls Royce.

Here’s a fun story about a guy with a lifted 4Runner, an aftermarket roof rack, and a touch car wash:

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/gene...7-$15-carwash-=-$4047-18-damages-repairs.html

I don’t mind the brushes on my Rolls, but this scared the sh*t out of me. Hence my post.


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[trey99ek]

If it's touchless I wouldn't worry. Now the ones with the brushes I would stay away from.

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[saltlife66]

I used to run thru a touchless wash for years with my FJ, (same rack ) Never had any issues with it.

 

[Brick Sprickly]

Here’s a fun story about a guy with a lifted 4Runner, an aftermarket roof rack, and a touch car wash:

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/gene...7-$15-carwash-=-$4047-18-damages-repairs.html

I don’t mind the brushes on my Rolls, but this scared the sh*t out of me. Hence my post.


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Hey there Coop, that's exactly why I'll never do anything but hand wash.

I don't ever anticipate the need to rush and hurry up for a machine wash when I could just plan better and allow more time to perform an actual full wash/detail myself.

Failing that, there are plenty of hand wash only places but I always feel that no matter how good they do, their eye doesn't compare to yours and they'll miss something.

 

[KingPrat]

1.) It's a factory installed roof rack. it's not going anywhere. The only thing you have to watch out for is the overall height. The one near me is 7' clearance, and even with the TRD rack and slightly higher TRD Pro springs, you should still come in under 80"

2.) The issue, as I understand it, is aftermarket attachments, not the physical roof racks (at least when it comes to factory racks/crossbars) Rooftop boxes, ski racks, kayak racks, etc. These attachments can be damaged in automatic car washes and they put the liability on the car owner with those signs.


Also, I completely avoid the brush washes - even the brush in the self-wash. I used that on my Dad's (previous) black Grand Cherokee and the swirls and scratches it left were awful. No way am I getting anywhere near the Nautical Blue with that stuff. Hell no.

I have a Chemical Guys mitt that I bring with me from home to scrub.

 

[LandCruiser]

Brushed car washes will swirl your paint.

Usually some jackass (totally not me) will run their muddy pig through it and then the dirt stays on the brushes and blasts your paint to hell.

Also any roof racks that stick out far enough to get lashed like Dr Jones’s whip can get tangled and ripped off.

The guy from Jalalabad running the gas station isn’t responsible for the 10k of damage to your 42k truck.

 

[patkelly4370]

My 4runner gets washed with fresh rainwater 2-3 times a year.
I have used our wash bay at work before (for cleaning 18-wheelers).
It was dirty by the time I got home.
If I wash it at home it creates a mud puddle around the truck.
We live several miles from pavement.
Some day I'll pour a slab.

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[JohnBe4r]

Just do mobile car wash. U don't even need to leave ur house

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[AgentKooper]

Hey there Coop, that's exactly why I'll never do anything but hand wash.

I don't ever anticipate the need to rush and hurry up for a machine wash when I could just plan better and allow more time to perform an actual full wash/detail myself.

Failing that, there are plenty of hand wash only places but I always feel that no matter how good they do, their eye doesn't compare to yours and they'll miss something.

I agree in theory, but sometimes it's freezing outside and I want to get all the dirty snow/crud/road salt & chemicals off, and a quick drive through the sprayers is better than nothing.

 

[Brick Sprickly]

I agree in theory, but sometimes it's freezing outside and I want to get all the dirty snow/crud/road salt & chemicals off, and a quick drive through the sprayers is better than nothing.

Same if I'm done at one of the driving beaches out here, I'll stop for a quick undercarriage rinse someplace before heading home. if I can. I just won't let rotating brushes or anything like that touch it.