Racks: pros/cons

Tom P.

New member
I'm looking for a 3rd gen 4x4 and noticing some have no racks on top. Is there any benefit to not having them? Is there a good source for buying them to install?
 
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Pro: Sweet looking.
Con: Mileage goes down. Rarely actually used, IMO.

Certainly cannot argue the mileage point, but to add to the PRO list:

Hauling a weekends worth of firewood in my new Yakima cargo rack!
Very nice to carry that outside the vehicle for a change.
I don't like spiders, so it's a huge plus for me. :spider: :lasercannon:
 
When taking the Girl, the two kids and a dog the extra really starts to become needed. I can fit a day trip in the truck but an over night camping trip, not so much.
 
I'm a big fan of my rack that fits in my hitch receiver. It's easy to remove and I can strap the cooler and firewood back there. Down side: When loaded you can only use the slider window.
 
I love having a rack for weekend getaways with the family. With a baby and a dog you quickly run out of room. The only downside is the mileage. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal but I took my rack off to do some touch ups to it and I'm easily getting an additional 2 or so miles per gallon better. Over a full take of gas your looking at an easy 30 miles better. I was shocked.
 
I have a Yakima basket which comes in SUPER handy for me when camping or hunting, I usually have my dog in the back and can pack up the back seat and its awesome being able to strap a load to the roof with my cargo net in a matter of seconds! plus it looks really cool in my opinion. Downsides, I tried to park in a parking garage tongiht with a clearance of 6'8"....had to back out!
 
A rack only affect MPGs on the highway and really I never noticed a true decrease or increase if the rack was on or off I still get roughly the same MPGs always but i rarely spend alot of time on the hwy to really tell.
 
I commute 90 miles round trip to grad school 3 or 4 times a week...if racks affect mpg 2-3mpg then Im removing the thing...it looks cool, and if I ever move back east or somewhere I can hunt or camp it would be nice (especially to throw the game on top instead of put inside), but Ive heard it both ways that it doesnt affect mileage much or it will decrease gas mileage...

I need to remove it soon...thanks for this thread as Ive been thinking about it....
 
I believe the OP is referring to the factory roof rack, not the aftermarket ones.

To that point, there's really no difference. The factory one sits low and is very lightweight, you won't notice any difference in MPG's at all. Just about about SR5 or Limited you look at will have one. Some of the base models may not.
 
ron: 90 percent of my daily commute is highway at highspeed so the drag is way worse and it makes a huge difference. before I took off my rack I was getting around 180 miles and on a lucky tank I would get 200 but after I took it off I am getting 200 plus every tank. I couldn't believe the difference.

I think it would depend on the type of rack you have too. Mine had alot of flat spots that created more drag. Not sure if round or square tube is better or worse..
 
Pro:
casual6a.jpg


(wrong thread?)
 

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