roof rack weight limit?

[USSEnterprise]

Hey

Does anyone know if the roof rack has a weight limit, and if it does, what it is?
I need to haul some lumber and need to know

Thanks
Joe

 

[Pauly Walnuts]

Hey

Does anyone know if the roof rack has a weight limit, and if it does, what it is?
I need to haul some lumber and need to know

Thanks
Joe

Are you talking about the stock roof rack rails or how much the roof can hold? I've had around 300lbs on my Whitson Metalworks rack and the rack itself weighs 70lbs or so. No issues.

 

[MONTYMTB]

If you're asking about the OEM bars, the sticker on it says "Max load 165 lbs evenly distributed".

 

[D Farms]

that 165 probably factors in the fact that it gets top heavy(duh) from loading stuff on top, you can probably have more weight than that but you probably want an after market rack that has more points to distribute the weight to the roof.

 

[BeeRunner]

Roof weight limit on 2017 TRD Off Rd Premium

So i've read a lot of conflicting information about what the weight limit on the roof of the 4Runner is as i've wanted to add a rooftop tent and the only limit I can find in regards to weight in the 4RNR manual says 120 lbs max. I decided instead of trying to figure it out in the forums and second guessing myself i'd just contact Toyota. The following is my email and their response:

My Email:
08/04/2017 09:39 AM
I'm buying a 4RNR that is expected to arrive in two weeks from today. I've seen several with rooftop tents added on the rails on the roof of the 4Runner. Reading through the manual it says not to exceed 120lb in the rooftop luggage compartment. That is the only reference to weight for the rooftop in the entire manual; however, people exceed this weight all the time with their tent setups, especially while they have people sleeping in the tent. Is Toyota saying that 120lbs is all that the roof can carry, OR are they saying that's all Toyotas crossrails will carry, OR i've heard the theory that that is dynamic load limit for when the vehicle is moving but that when its static (stationary) the roof can hold much more. But I have no actual definitive answer and I can't find anything from Toyota that states specially how much the roof the can hold using adequate crossbars to span Toyotas factory installed roofrails.

Toyotas Response:
Dear Mr. XXXXXXXXXX,

Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

We are very sorry; however, due to a high volume of email contacts, we were unable to respond to your inquiry in a timely manner. We sincerely apologize for any delay and we appreciate your understanding, as it is never our intention to keep a customer waiting.

We apologize as we do not recommend or assist with modifying our vehicles from the original factory specifications. The maximum roof capacity listed is 120 Lbs.

Toyota's warranty covers repairs and adjustments needed to correct defects in materials or workmanship of any part supplied by Toyota.

Modifications to your vehicle could affect the performance, safety or durability, and may violate government regulations. Non-Toyota parts, or any damage or failures resulting from their use, are not covered by any Toyota warranty.

Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Teayra R.
Toyota Customer Experience Center

Conclusion:
Even though people add much more weight than 120lbs in their rooftop setups, Toyota is only willing to claim a 120lb limit on their roof. If you add the extra weight you do so at your own risk and you won't be able to count on Toyota for any warranty work.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

Conclusion:
If you add the extra weight you do so at your own risk and you won't be able to count on Toyota for any warranty work.

Warranty work on a 20yr old 4Runner?!
"Um yes, hello Toyota. I put the biggest RTT money could buy, loaded it to max capacity of 10 people, and now it looks like my roof has a dip in it. Not one occupant weighed over 300lbs.
Hoping I can get this defective roof fixed under warranty."
I think most people understand that anything we do to our rigs is at our own risk, and I would be shocked to see ANYTHING covered under warranty on a 20yr old 4Runner.
I wouldn't put much lumber on the OEM roof bars- how much lumber are you talking? 2 railroad ties was a little sketchy [emoji23]

 

[Ron Burgandy]

i saw a picture not to long ago of a guy that put atleast 20-25 sheets of sheetrock up on his roof.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[pluton]

Max load 165 lbs evenly distributed seems pretty clear to me.
Of course, you could try to be like this guy:

 

[Scramble]

Thats all BS, I've had 1000lb of snow on mine! They're indestructible!

 

[phattyduck]

I wouldn't recommend going on the freeway with large loads... but you can risk it if you want...

10 sheets, 30+lbs per sheet. Just a few miles of side streets though...

Seriously though, there have been reports of the factory crossbars breaking at the plastic ends, so watch out for that.

-Charlie

 

[Tomsea999]

Did just fine with this couch on top, for about 8 blocks. Yes, I used straps. It helps to have an understanding of dynamic and static loads, and the importance of very strong sphincter control when driving over small bumps. Also, don't ever do this. I'm sure I exceeded the published limits of both the rack (Yakima) and the 4runner, in addition to breaking several local and state safety laws.

 

[lockleyc]

Thanks, best answer yet to the rack loading question. I just want to haul a 90 lb Kay

 

[brillo_76]

Did just fine with this couch on top, for about 8 blocks. Yes, I used straps. It helps to have an understanding of dynamic and static loads, and the importance of very strong sphincter control when driving over small bumps. Also, don't ever do this. I'm sure I exceeded the published limits of both the rack (Yakima) and the 4runner, in addition to breaking several local and state safety laws.

Nice couch...

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

 

[brillo_76]

I wouldn't recommend going on the freeway with large loads... but you can risk it if you want...

10 sheets, 30+lbs per sheet. Just a few miles of side streets though...



Seriously though, there have been reports of the factory crossbars breaking at the plastic ends, so watch out for that.



-Charlie

I could see sun baked plastic busting. Great point. Phareyduck.

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

 

[JohnOfTheJungle]

I’ve dented my roof in a few times when throwing tires up there, once with bags of soil, and once when I climbed up there.

I’m guessing the roof holds maybe 50 pounds, but it will spring back out as long as you don’t dent it in too much.

If your weight is more distributed on the rails that run lengthwise (not the crossbars) then it should handle much more. People sleep in rooftop tents up there and that’s gotta be several hundred pounds.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dadrunner]

If your weight is more distributed on the rails that run lengthwise (not the crossbars) then it should handle much more. People sleep in rooftop tents up there and that’s gotta be several hundred pounds.

I think this is the key difference.

Sleeping in a tent while vehicle is parked would be much different than loading several hundred pounds on top, then barreling down the highway at 65MPH and hitting a pothole, or going into a sharp turn.

So I would imagine the roof can handle quite a bit while static, but once moving, things can get dicey, and affect handling and safety.

I think the limit given by Toyota is calculated to leave a large safety margin for emergency handling etc.

 

[texadelphia]

I think this is the key difference.

Sleeping in a tent while vehicle is parked would be much different than loading several hundred pounds on top, then barreling down the highway at 65MPH and hitting a pothole, or going into a sharp turn.

So I would imagine the roof can handle quite a bit while static, but once moving, things can get dicey, and affect handling and safety.

I think the limit given by Toyota is calculated to leave a large safety margin for emergency handling etc.

^^^ This. Most of the OEM luggage rack ratings are given in terms of dynamic loading which is what you can safely stick up there while moving...accounting for braking, maneuvers, etc. I've had a really hard time getting a solid answer on static loading on various cars I've owned but it should exceed the dynamic rating by a good bit.

 

[BetterontheMtn]

So i've read a lot of conflicting information about what the weight limit on the roof of the 4Runner is as i've wanted to add a rooftop tent and the only limit I can find in regards to weight in the 4RNR manual says 120 lbs max. I decided instead of trying to figure it out in the forums and second guessing myself i'd just contact Toyota. The following is my email and their response:

My Email:
08/04/2017 09:39 AM
I'm buying a 4RNR that is expected to arrive in two weeks from today. I've seen several with rooftop tents added on the rails on the roof of the 4Runner. Reading through the manual it says not to exceed 120lb in the rooftop luggage compartment. That is the only reference to weight for the rooftop in the entire manual; however, people exceed this weight all the time with their tent setups, especially while they have people sleeping in the tent. Is Toyota saying that 120lbs is all that the roof can carry, OR are they saying that's all Toyotas crossrails will carry, OR i've heard the theory that that is dynamic load limit for when the vehicle is moving but that when its static (stationary) the roof can hold much more. But I have no actual definitive answer and I can't find anything from Toyota that states specially how much the roof the can hold using adequate crossbars to span Toyotas factory installed roofrails.

Toyotas Response:
Dear Mr. XXXXXXXXXX,

Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

We are very sorry; however, due to a high volume of email contacts, we were unable to respond to your inquiry in a timely manner. We sincerely apologize for any delay and we appreciate your understanding, as it is never our intention to keep a customer waiting.

We apologize as we do not recommend or assist with modifying our vehicles from the original factory specifications. The maximum roof capacity listed is 120 Lbs.

Toyota's warranty covers repairs and adjustments needed to correct defects in materials or workmanship of any part supplied by Toyota.

Modifications to your vehicle could affect the performance, safety or durability, and may violate government regulations. Non-Toyota parts, or any damage or failures resulting from their use, are not covered by any Toyota warranty.

Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Teayra R.
Toyota Customer Experience Center

Conclusion:
Even though people add much more weight than 120lbs in their rooftop setups, Toyota is only willing to claim a 120lb limit on their roof. If you add the extra weight you do so at your own risk and you won't be able to count on Toyota for any warranty work.

As someone who works/has worked with several different brands at the dealership level, this will be the exact same response you get from nearly all brands. No matter the age of the vehicle, the line always be the same.

 

[BeeRunner]

Well it’s nice that i’ve never actually heard of a problem with weight on the roof from anyone thats loaded a racked 4Runner. Despite Toyotas recommendation I ordered my Gobi stealth rack and am looking at a Tepui RTT purchase next spring. I’ll take my queue from the bazillions of people who have already set their rigs up and not Toyota's conservative weight estimates.

 

[96RedRunner]

this will be the exact same response you get from nearly all brands. No matter the age of the vehicle, the line always be the same.

Yep Lawyer speak.
[MENTION=167828]BeeRunner[/MENTION], 6-8 mounting points in rails spreads load way better than 4. Be it basket or RTT ditch factory plastic rack and mounts.
Factory rack sliding nuts in rail are 3/32" thick, rail will accept 3/16" plus a hair thick material for nuts.