Rola rack rusting?

[azn toyo]

I know a decent amount of 3rd gen's have rola racks(basket) on top. I've had mine less than 2 years and it's already starting to rust. Anyone else have this issue?

 

[Run 4 Fun]

I know a decent amount of 3rd gen's have rola racks(basket) on top. I've had mine less than 2 years and it's already starting to rust. Anyone else have this issue?

I have a Curt rack which is about the same quality and price. If I don't touch up with paint after the coating has rubbed off, it will rust with a couple months. Is your rusting through the paint or only where the coating has come off? I think it's even a type of powder coating used on the rack.

 

[baja1]

yup, do a search here, lots of complaints about rust on these racks

 

[azn toyo]

The rust on mine is coming through the paint. I've heard of rusting from inside if you don't seal up the holes or where they connect. This is more of very quick fading of the powder coat and a rust color showing through.

 

[JeepKiller]

Strip and repaint

 

[kevinpt]

I know a decent amount of 3rd gen's have rola racks(basket) on top. I've had mine less than 2 years and it's already starting to rust. Anyone else have this issue?

i coated mine with rustoleum truck bed coating before i put it on my truck and then made sure there is no way to have water get inside by using clear Silicone on all the bolt holes and under the boot over the joint

 

[jawga4runner]

Yeah I've heard the stories too, but I'm currently getting mine rhinolined this week. By me just handling it outside of the box in my garage it got scratched a lot. I've also got redrille holes where the screws go in. Just sealing it good and spraying it should be enough to prevent rust.

 

[azn toyo]

Will I really have to strip the paint completely before I can spray with some rustoleum? It can I just hit it lightly with some sand paper?

 

[sjwelna]

i coated mine with rustoleum truck bed coating before i put it on my truck and then made sure there is no way to have water get inside by using clear Silicone on all the bolt holes and under the boot over the joint

This. I had some rust starting on my rack as well. I just did the lazy mans way and didn't even prep/sand it, just bombed the whole thing with a couple cans of rustoleum bedliner and called it good. They will all end up rusting eventually since the water gets in where the two halves connect and at the welds. I sold my roof basket and got an aluminum hitch basket from harbor freight for almost what I sold the roof basket for. Way easier to load and won't rust out.

 

[kevinpt]

This. I had some rust starting on my rack as well. I just did the lazy mans way and didn't even prep/sand it, just bombed the whole thing with a couple cans of rustoleum bedliner and called it good. They will all end up rusting eventually since the water gets in where the two halves connect and at the welds. I sold my roof basket and got an aluminum hitch basket from harbor freight for almost what I sold the roof basket for. Way easier to load and won't rust out.

hitch racks are great but they dont do much good on the trail. i have a hitch rack for road trips and a roof rack for trail trips

 

[luculentfrag]

The rust on mine is coming through the paint.

 

[sjwelna]

hitch racks are great but they dont do much good on the trail. i have a hitch rack for road trips and a roof rack for trail trips

That's true. We get into some really tight spots hunting with barely an inch or two clearance to the roof from downed trees/etc so a roof basket would snag or get torn off pretty quick.