Roof Rack (bike) question

9

94hokie

New member
Have a '13 SR5 and currently use a Kuat hitch mounted rack (awesome by the way). Catch is its a 2 bike, and sometimes I have a need for an additional bike and was also thinking the added storage of a roof rack would be handy. I don't have cross bars yet, and have read mixed reviews on here of factory bars. So what do you guys think for:
1. Cross bars - factory or other? If other, please list what you use and why you prefer it. If you like the factory bars, where did you get yours at for the best price?
2. For roof rack - what do you guys like? Kuat, Thule, Yakima, other? Again, list what you like about your rack (or don't like about it).

Thanks in advance for your replies, and as always pics would be greatly appreciated as well.
 
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My advice would be to sell your 2 bike hitch mount and buy a larger capacity hitch mount. After a few times of loading those bikes on the roof, you will wish you had.
 
FatTiresRollin said:
My advice would be to sell your 2 bike hitch mount and buy a larger capacity hitch mount.
Click to expand...

This might be the cheapest idea too. It doesn't solve your add'l storage on the roof idea though.

Or is it the Kuat rack that offers the ADD-ON attachment to haul more bikes??

I lucked out, and was able to use all my old Thule roof stuff(crossbars, bike trays, cargo basket, cargo box) on top of the 4R. I bought everything over the past ~5 years for my subaru outback. I've been snagging deals on it here and there, but if you were to buy everything at once, it'd get pretty pricey.

<a href="http://s138.photobucket.com/user/j_shoe99/media/4r1_zpsd4bf06f5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/j_shoe99/4r1_zpsd4bf06f5.jpg" border="0" alt="4r1_zpsd4bf06f5 photo 4r1_zpsd4bf06f5.jpg"/></a>

If you are legitimately wanting to use your roof rack to haul stuff, I'd get something 3rd party, and not OEM stuff.

The sky is the limit for roof rack systems, so it just depends on what type of setup you want, and how much you are willing to spend.
 
To clarify, not looking for additional bike capacity on the hitch. This is also for when the hitch is in use (i.e. pulling a trailer) and I still need bike capacity. We're moving in July, and the two trips I will most likely be making will be pulling a trailer but still need to move 4 bikes, so thinking 2 per trip and done deal. Plus this would then let me have a roof rack for down the road for other storage as well.
 
Roger that. We are pretty much in the same boat...

I tow a camper to many mountain bike races, and I still need to haul my bikes and gear. Hitch is obviously being used by my camper.

<a href="http://s138.photobucket.com/user/j_shoe99/media/campertow.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/j_shoe99/campertow.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo campertow.jpg"/></a>

This setup can transfer pretty much to any vehicle with roof rails.

I ended up with:
Thule Crossroads 450 footpack w/50"(?) load bars (attaches to 4R rails, not cross bars)
(2) Thule Echelon fork mounted bike trays, and (2) front wheel holders
Yakima loadwarrior basket. (cuz it was a great deal for $99)
Thule Atlantis(?) 1600 roof cargo box. (another great deal from a buddy)

I really like this setup, as it gives me a ton of options depending on what I need to do on a given weekend.

<a href="http://s138.photobucket.com/user/j_shoe99/media/P3071005.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q242/j_shoe99/P3071005.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo P3071005.jpg"/></a>

I've added (2) more bike trays and hauled 4 guys, 4 bikes cross country for a biking trip before too.

Overall, the setup does cost some money, but the stuff is pretty bombproof and should last for plenty of years, given the minimal use, and removed from vehicle when not in use.
 
I went with factory crossbars and a pair of Yakima Forklifts.

I have the Holdup hitch rack as well, but like you, needed to be able to carry bikes while I towed my camper.

I just googled "4runner crossbars" and got OEM ones cheap from some Toyota parts website. Saved over $120 over my local dealership.

The ONLY downside about using factory crossbars - they aren't straight across - they're kinda convex shaped, so when your bikes are mounted, they tilt outwards a little like this

__\_______/__

Not a huge deal....and you're also restricted to mounting the bike racks between the rails, whereas some aftermarket crossbars extend beyond the rails

Despite these little points, I actually use my roof racks more than my hitch rack, even when I'm not towing anything.
 
Kuat makes a two bike extension for the hitch mount set-up. I have it. I can post a pic if you need. I'd go that way personally.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. As I mentioned in one of the previous posts, I'm looking to use this for when my hitch is in use (trailer) so an addition to the hitch mount is a no-go. Has anyone used the MetalTech Baja Rack? That thing looks pretty sweet, but not sure how bikes would mount to it. Thanks.
 
94hokie said:
Thanks for the replies guys. As I mentioned in one of the previous posts, I'm looking to use this for when my hitch is in use (trailer) so an addition to the hitch mount is a no-go. Has anyone used the MetalTech Baja Rack? That thing looks pretty sweet, but not sure how bikes would mount to it. Thanks.
Click to expand...

What kind of trailer/camper? Would it be ridiculous to add a hitch to that? It sounds like your only problem with bike capacity is when something is in tow.

I agree with others. It's a pain to get your bike on top of the roof. Especially if you have to do it multiple times a day. And if you have any crosswinds, it gets downright scary. You'll also be dealing with overhead clearance issues. Depending on the places you frequent with the bikes on top (trail heads, drive thurs, etc).
 
Primarily going to be towing a U-Haul twice (possibly more) when I move and wanted to use the roof to haul our 4 bikes (two trips). I'm totally fine with roof mounted hauling, we do that with my wife's Camry. I was really looking for double duty as well as I mentioned before, so if I wanted to stow gear up top during trips I could. Thanks.
 
94hokie said:
Primarily going to be towing a U-Haul twice (possibly more) when I move and wanted to use the roof to haul our 4 bikes (two trips). I'm totally fine with roof mounted hauling, we do that with my wife's Camry. I was really looking for double duty as well as I mentioned before, so if I wanted to stow gear up top during trips I could. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Hauling bikes on the roof of a 4Runner is fine if you only do it once or twice a year. Using the roof to haul bikes on a regular basis would get old fast. A Camry is about 4 feet tall. a 4Runner is about 7 feet tall. I am 6'4" and I only hauled my bike up there once, and it was enough. What a PITA. When you use the roof for hauling camping gear or skis that's one thing. That stuff is fairly easy to handle. Taking a 25 lb 29'er bike from there without either scratching the side or breaking the glass, nevermind [MENTION=68685]Ducmonsta[/MENTION]'s points of having handlebars over 10' in the air(!) as clearance issues is a problem. I know your issue is temporary so spend the least amount possible to haul the bikes. To others that tow a trailer regularly AND haul bikes at the same time look into mounting a front hitch with a hitch mounted carrier. Lot's of guys down here do this and will haul up to 8 bikes on both front and rear hitch carriers.
 
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