Gus04Runner
New member
alright guys, ive got a 04 stock roof rack, i want to mount my spare up there, anyone have good tie down suggestions that provide a decent amount of security? Thanks in advance
Roof rack
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NuclearN8
New member
really? one could sure MacGyver something sturdy enough for relatively little money... (under $100)
remove the stock crossbars (you need to take off your back covers and then loosen them up and the'll slide right out the back). this will leave you with just the side rails..
Then I'd buy 4, maybe 8 of these (depending on how many you wanted a side)... I'd change out the hardware to Grade 8 bolts
(another option from same vender that would slide right in... 2005+ Toyota Tacoma Bed Rail Antenna Mount )
Then you get some steel stock and connect the sides (either bolted or welded to above) and lay the tire on top of that and cinch it down with some sort of ratchet system through the lug holes..
It would be the prettiest option but I would bet it'd work and I think it'd look pretty cool cause the tire would look like it's floating there between the side rails.
remove the stock crossbars (you need to take off your back covers and then loosen them up and the'll slide right out the back). this will leave you with just the side rails..
Then I'd buy 4, maybe 8 of these (depending on how many you wanted a side)... I'd change out the hardware to Grade 8 bolts
(another option from same vender that would slide right in... 2005+ Toyota Tacoma Bed Rail Antenna Mount )
Then you get some steel stock and connect the sides (either bolted or welded to above) and lay the tire on top of that and cinch it down with some sort of ratchet system through the lug holes..
It would be the prettiest option but I would bet it'd work and I think it'd look pretty cool cause the tire would look like it's floating there between the side rails.
gaterose
Senior Member
The stock SR5 and Limited rack and crossbars are rated for 120lbs and the '06-09 sport and urban racks are rated around 135-140lbs. Spare tire and wheel shouldn't weight more than 60-80 lbs depending on size and load range.
That said, the general consensus is that it's a PITA to get the tire on and off the roof even with solid steps.
That said, the general consensus is that it's a PITA to get the tire on and off the roof even with solid steps.
Sorry for the bump (the downside of using the search function).
What/where is the failure point of the stock rails ('06 Sport, round bars)?
I suspect it's the plastic 'feet' but I'd like to make sure.
I just got a CVT Mt. Shasta RTT from a friend that I'd like to mount for a few weekend trips (no serious wheeling) but I'd like to make sure I'm not going to lose it if mounted to the stock rack! I don't plan to put any weight on the crossbars.
I've seen some members with RTTs mounted to stock racks and others who say they wouldn't mount anything up there... Experience and pics would be greatly appreciated!
I don't see the total load going over 400lb when in use (100lb tent, >300lb for my wife and I)
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gaterose
Senior Member
I couldn't tell you, I just read that number somewhere here or on a service document. I would guess the plastic feet would be the failure point but it could be the crossbar mounts.
I'm not sure I'd put a RTT on a stock rack. I may be wrong, but I haven't seen it done. It looks like the rack would support the weight of the RTT but with a person in there you'd be way over. And if you can't camp in there, there's not much reason for an RTT right?
Thanks.
And, you're exactly right... The 100lb tent is one thing, but it's useless without the added human weight
I suppose it's time to blow some more $$ on a rack!
RunnerAK
New member
Thanks.
And, you're exactly right... The 100lb tent is one thing, but it's useless without the added human weight
I suppose it's time to blow some more $$ on a rack!
Yes the factory roof rack can safely handle a RTT full of people, the weight ratings thrown around are dynamic load ratings (the max you should drive around with up there), it will handle a much greater static load sitting still (500+ lbs). I don't get why it has a reputation for being so flimsy, has anyone actually broken the stock rack?
Here's another thread on this a few weeks back with a pic of mine (it is mounted directly to the factory rack after removing the cross bars):
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...roof-top-tent-4-runner-factory-roof-rack.html
Edited to add: I'm talking about the rack rails themselves, I wouldn't trust the factory crossbars with that much weight.
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Thanks for the info, that's what I was looking to hear.
Do you have any pictures of how you mounted the RTT and what you're using in place of the factory crossbars?
It's easy to get it off!
-Ask a friend to stand in front of the car
-Climb on the roof and stand the wheel up on the tire, parallel to the rest of the wheels
-Push towards the front of the vehicle
-Kick out the dent in the hood while your friend recovers from having the wind knocked out of him or regains consciousness or runs to chase after the wheel that's rolling away
I think the crossbars are the common failure mode. I think I've read about them breaking. Maybe you could get a couple more if you want to keep the stock look.
You can get aftermarket crossbars that are super strong and clamp onto the side rails, but the weight rating is not that much higher than the stock setup, and they are expensive for what they are.
The weight rating could also be based on how much weight you can put up top without compromising handling too much.
RunnerAK
New member
I didn't take any pics of how it was mounted before I took it down for the winter, but it is pretty simple. I rotated the tent's rails 90 degrees so that they were mounted perpendicular to the roof rack (each rail end needs to be shortened a few inches using a hacksaw), and then just used the tent rail's clamps to secure it to the roof rack, no cross bars involved. This way it mounts several inches lower than any cross bar setup that I've seen.
If you watch this Tepui Tent installation video, they mention how to flip and trim the tent rails:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuLe7DjewlU#t=328
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