Make your factory roof rack stronger, add another crossbar and spread the load!

[Benski]

I'm a Carpenter and regularly load lumber on the roof racks of my 3rd gen 4Runner. They flatten out under the load but have done fine so far. It occured to me to add another elevated crossbar and let three bars take up the weight instead of two, and have 6 contact points on the roof instead of 4. The newer elevated side rail racks will still only have 4 contact points and there will be no difference. I picked up a complete used rack at a yard today for $20. I have limits to how much I will load on there, but I've had luck so far. It's a simple solution and still looks factory. It would be a good idea under baskets too. :bigok:

 

[Offroader5]

I needed something stronger too, but I ended up making my own crossbars. Mainly due to the fact that aftermarket rail mounts/crossbars were so expensive and the new crossbars would be raised too high in order to use the OEM rails. I designed them mainly to carry my roof top tent, but if I need to carry bikes or a kayak, I can build a mount to suit the crossbars. Kind of my own modular system I suppose.