Prinsu Full RoofRack or Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform with backbone

[3s1kill]

I'm stuck on choosing between Prinsu Full Roofrack or the Rhino-Rack Pioneer platform with the backbone system (76x49). I have a 2015 Limited 4R with 4rd row seats.

Both cost about almost $1000 including the shipping. The Pioneer Rack is cheaper at $950 vs $1050.

The RR Pioneer is a 7/8 rack so no drilling and the Prinsu is a full rack that can be done with our without drilling.

Looks go to Prinsu, I love the look of a full rack.

I think the Prinsu is more modular and the rails can be moved, I don't think the RR Pioneer rails can be moved.

I have a moonroof and the RR covers a 1/3 of the moonroof and the Prinsu covers it all unless I remove some of the rails.

Eventually I want to get RTT since we just sold our RV which is what sparked the search for a new roof rack.

Post some pictures of your rigs and your thoughts. Also, I already told the wife I bought one and got through the fire and flames so if I don't order a new rack it will all be for nothing.:naughty:

 

[tristero]

I was in the same place. I like the modularity of both, but prinsu wins in most of the criteria.

Rhino rack stated that their backbone was not designed to run a hardshell RTT, and directed me to the RLT track and crossbars.

Price was about the same for 3 HD crossbars with the RLT track system vs a prinsu full rack.

 

[Dave 41079]

I'm stuck on choosing between Prinsu Full Roofrack or the Rhino-Rack Pioneer platform with the backbone system (76x49). I have a 2015 Limited 4R with 4rd row seats.

Both cost about almost $1000 including the shipping. The Pioneer Rack is cheaper at $950 vs $1050.

The RR Pioneer is a 7/8 rack so no drilling and the Prinsu is a full rack that can be done with our without drilling.

Looks go to Prinsu, I love the look of a full rack.

I think the Prinsu is more modular and the rails can be moved, I don't think the RR Pioneer rails can be moved.

I have a moonroof and the RR covers a 1/3 of the moonroof and the Prinsu covers it all unless I remove some of the rails.

Eventually I want to get RTT since we just sold our RV which is what sparked the search for a new roof rack.

Post some pictures of your rigs and your thoughts. Also, I already told the wife I bought one and got through the fire and flames so if I don't order a new rack it will all be for nothing.:naughty:

I went Prinsu. Had one on my Tacoma and loved it. I got my full length in bare aluminum shipped for $750 which was a pretty good deal. I painted it after I got it. I did drill for the front mounts because I wanted to make sure it was sturdy. I left the single bar out over the sunroof. I just ordered some poultry pen flooring to attach as decking on the rack. It should arrive tomorrow and I'll install it when I get time. Here are a few pictures.

 

[3s1kill]

Anyone with a Rhino Rack Pioneer platform wanna chime in?

 

[speedyglx]

Anyone with a Rhino Rack Pioneer platform wanna chime in?

Here is a link to my Rhino Rack with the RLT legs. Still love the rack.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/254175-rhino-rack-w-rlt600-pioneer-flat-platform.html

 

[3s1kill]

Here is a link to my Rhino Rack with the RLT legs. Still love the rack.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/254175-rhino-rack-w-rlt600-pioneer-flat-platform.html

Ahh I see the difference, the RLT is for the Full length racks and requires drilling. Is there a reason you went with this over any of the other racks?

 

[eRock_runner]

I love the Prinsu and with CBI taking over the current lead time is only 2-3 weeks.

Went with Prinsu because of the looks as well as being so modular.

 

[3s1kill]

I love the Prinsu and with CBI taking over the current lead time is only 2-3 weeks.

Went with Prinsu because of the looks as well as being so modular.

2-3 week lead times? I should have ordered it sooner. That still seems better than some other places that are 4-6 weeks.

 

["krax"]

I think if you plan to add an RTT, you're better off with crossbars (i.e. Frontrunner, LFD, Prinsu) rather than fore-aft running planks.

 

[3s1kill]

I think if you plan to add an RTT, you're better off with crossbars (i.e. Frontrunner, LFD, Prinsu) rather than fore-aft running planks.

Can you elaborate? RTT's and Roof racks are all new to me.

 

[warhound]

After running a Prinsu for 4000+ miles off-road I wouldn't recommend it for heavy duty use. Anywhere we had anything heavy on the rails i.e. gas cans, the bolts used to attach the crossbars would wear into the rails attached to the roof to the point where the included washers couldn't get enough grip on them and the bolts started to come loose. I had to retighten every hour or so for a few days until we could source larger washers.

Modular seems like a good idea and it's why I got the prinsu in the first place, but now I'm looking to move into something more heavy duty with less parts to go wrong. Anything that bolts crossbars directly to rails is an inherent design flaw. The crossbars should be welded in place for maximum carrying capacity and reliability.

 

["krax"]

Can you elaborate? RTT's and Roof racks are all new to me.

The mounting systems that a few manufacturers are using for the 4Runner (Prinsu, LFD, Frontrunner, Rhino, ARB) block a lot of access from the sides to the underside of the rack/platform. crossbars with space in between and standoff from the roof would allow one to reach under an RTT to mount it.

Tracks and feet from Rhino and K9 look like they allow better access to the underside of a platform.

I don't use an RTT so it's possible that I'm way off base and someone will be along shortly to correct me.

 

[solidtd3]

Can you elaborate? RTT's and Roof racks are all new to me.

Agreed. I'm have a full length Rhino Rack with Pioneer/Backbone system and while I love it, it required some modification since I added a RoofNest hardtop RTT.

The RTT has mounting rails which point fore/aft, as do the Rhino Rack systems. This means that you will have to buy accessory crossbars in order to mount the tent using supplied U-brackets. Moreover, because the spacing of the tent rails overlap the fore/aft cross bars, I had to remove two of them. With FrontRunner/Prinsu, the slats are lateral, so you won't need the crossbars or worry about interference issues.

Lastly, fitting the wrench underneath the rack to tighten the bracket nuts has also proven to be a real pain. This may be the case with all low profile rack systems. Knowing what I know now, I may have gone with the FrontRunner system if I were planning on getting a RTT because it is fully integrated the tent system and makes use of the space under the rack with optional accessories as well.

 

[3s1kill]

I see what you guys mean, that explains why some people remove the cross bars to mount their RTT's and then with 2 people lift up the RTT with the crossbars attached to remount. Sounds like a ***** and a half to do haha.

Offtopic - [MENTION=150640]warhound[/MENTION] - Nice videos, I added the Devil's road to my watch list to watch at home. I can see how you logged 4k miles offroad while using that rack.

 

[OstaraHTX]

I as well am looking at the 76x49 rhino rack w/ backbone. Still haven't committed though. For me I plan on climbing up and down on my rack and the rhino seams stronger in my eyes as the mounting of the tray is vertical. definitely had me looking into the Prinsu... their 7/8 is damn good looking and cheaper, but not so sure about climbing up onto the rack itself with only 8 crossbars.

 

["krax"]

Somewhat relevant: https://youtu.be/-JmNPBKIyVE

 

[3s1kill]

I as well am looking at the 76x49 rhino rack w/ backbone. Still haven't committed though. For me I plan on climbing up and down on my rack and the rhino seams stronger in my eyes as the mounting of the tray is vertical. definitely had me looking into the Prinsu... their 7/8 is damn good looking and cheaper, but not so sure about climbing up onto the rack itself with only 8 crossbars.

It's a huge commitment considering it cost $1000. I even looked at the LFD Racks/Ruggedized Bars and the Rago Fab Modular Factors Bars But just for a little more money I can get a whole rack system that would be future proof.

Decisions Decisions.

 

[3s1kill]

Somewhat relevant: https://youtu.be/-JmNPBKIyVE

Thank you for that. Good video.

 

[OstaraHTX]

It's a huge commitment considering it cost $1000. I even looked at the LFD Racks/Ruggedized Bars and the Rago Fab Modular Factors Bars But just for a little more money I can get a whole rack system that would be future proof.

Decisions Decisions.

I feel the same way, Rackoutfitters is where Im looking at getting the rhino if I do go that route (which is more than likely). keep me posted on what you end up going with.

 

[Blevins77]

Agreed. I'm have a full length Rhino Rack with Pioneer/Backbone system and while I love it, it required some modification since I added a RoofNest hardtop RTT.

The RTT has mounting rails which point fore/aft, as do the Rhino Rack systems. This means that you will have to buy accessory crossbars in order to mount the tent using supplied U-brackets. Moreover, because the spacing of the tent rails overlap the fore/aft cross bars, I had to remove two of them. With FrontRunner/Prinsu, the slats are lateral, so you won't need the crossbars or worry about interference issues.

Lastly, fitting the wrench underneath the rack to tighten the bracket nuts has also proven to be a real pain. This may be the case with all low profile rack systems. Knowing what I know now, I may have gone with the FrontRunner system if I were planning on getting a RTT because it is fully integrated the tent system and makes use of the space under the rack with optional accessories as well.

Any chance you could post some images of your modifications? I have the backbone system and was going to pick up a Roof Nest sparrow soon. No pressure. Thanks for your time.