Key differences between Prinsu and Matterhorn

[NJ-4Runner]

What are the primary differences between these two roof rack. I have to get one of them and I will be using it primarily for a canoe and most also wood, like dimensional lumber...2x4 and the like.

 

[TW44LR]

Cant speak for the prinsu but I’ve got the Matterhorn and love it, plus it’s got mountains etched into the side so bonus cool points there! It’s handled everything I’ve thrown at it which includes: pallets, tires, 2x4’s, plywood, drywall and my rtt. I also believe the Sherpa follows the body lines on the roof tighter than the prinsu but I’m not 100% sure.

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[RomanSchnobrich]

I don't have either, but I know a lot of folks with one, primarily Sherpa. I once saw a comparison between the racks that discussed the material differences-- the Sherpa racks are apparently made of much thicker metal and the Prinsu looks a lot flimsier. I can personally speak to the owners of Sherpa, as I bumped into them in Yellowstone a few summers ago. Alex, Will and Hayden are all incredibly friendly and down to earth dudes. If I ever switch up my rack game, I'll be getting a Sherpa hands down. Just my two cents.

 

[repo]

I moved countless 8' and longer lumber by putting down the rear seats and window, draping an old bath mat over the rear hatch and strapping it to the tie downs, with a few feet sticking out the back like a pickup. Tie an orange flag on the end, no prob. If you only have a few 2x4 you can do it with the window up by sliding down the side of the front or taking out the front passenger seat. Depends how much you value your interior though.

You can rent a bunch uhaul trailers for the cost of a roof rack. Rack would be nice for plywood, drywall, ladders, etc though.

 

[tx_shooter]

What are the primary differences between these two roof rack. I have to get one of them and I will be using it primarily for a canoe and most also wood, like dimensional lumber...2x4 and the like.

I bought a Matterhorn and ended up taking it off and recycling it. I now am running a Prinsu. The main difference are the mount points to the roof (Matterhorn uses four bolt and two pressure, Prinsu uses all 10 stock bolt holes to secure the rack sides to the roof and two front pressure pads) and the length of the adjustment slots that manages weight/stability better in the Prinsu. Material thickness does not equal strength if not used right. The Prinsu mounting feet are formed parts of the sides so there is additional strength in the five mounting points. Either of the racks materials will hold up to any reasonable weight we should put on the roof of our 3rd gens. The difference is in how the weight is distributed to the roof.

As for the small things - the Prinsu crossbars have machined notches on the crossbars so you can add bolts/ accessories without having to remove the crossbar from the rack itself. Sounds like a non issue but has been really handy for moving or adding attachment points to tie down odd shaped objects.

I ran a Matterhorn for three trips with my CVT RTT and coming home from Death Valley I had enough. I ordered the Prinsu on the way home. It was a tough thing to do but I have been much happier with the stability and overall setup of the Prinsu. Much more so than I was with the Matterhorn.

TL/DR - bought a Matterhorn and replaced it with a Prinsu. Much happier with the Prinsu.

 

[NJ-4Runner]

I moved countless 8' and longer lumber by putting down the rear seats and window, draping an old bath mat over the rear hatch and strapping it to the tie downs, with a few feet sticking out the back like a pickup. Tie an orange flag on the end, no prob. If you only have a few 2x4 you can do it with the window up by sliding down the side of the front or taking out the front passenger seat. Depends how much you value your interior though.

You can rent a bunch uhaul trailers for the cost of a roof rack. Rack would be nice for plywood, drywall, ladders, etc though.

Right on. I currently just put the seats down and load the wood into the back, and let it hang out the back, and I ratchet strap the hatch down.

Embarrassed to say it but I had the truck for over a year and totally forgot that the rear window can be lowered! That is a good idea if I just had a few 8’ boards. I just had (16) 8’ long 2x4s and a bunch of 8x16 concrete blocks in it yesterday.

 

[repo]

Right on. I currently just put the seats down and load the wood into the back, and let it hang out the back, and I stop the hatch down.

Embarrassed to say it but I had the truck for over a year and totally forgot that the rear window can be lowered! That is a good idea if I just had a few 8’ boards. I just had (16) 8’ long 2x4s and a bunch of 8x16 concrete blocks in it yesterday.

I've done that with plywood and stuff but it feels sketchy. I wouldn't try to load like a deck's worth of joists on the window down hatch of course, I feel like it can probably handle 8 or 10 2x10s if you drive carefully. Probably more than I would feel comfortable putting on the roof to be honest. You can get a uhaul for like $24 or whatever to move a bunch of wood.

Oh yeah and I try to load as much as possible in a way that considers what would happen to the driver in a rear collision i.e possibly getting cut in half by a 2x10.

 

[zback]

Sorry to revive a old thread, but I do not have the post count yet to start a new topic. Anymore thoughts on the Sherpa vs Prinsu?