Roof usage - OEM rails vs aftermarket?

[kaitlyn2004]

I'm about to pick up some used OEM crossbars for my 2020 4runner, and I suspect they should do me for a while as I maybe strap random things down, attach a cargo box for skis/roadtrips, etc...

but originally I was looking at only aftermarket solutions, like the LFD crossbars. Far more expensive.

It seems that by replacing the factory RAILS with aftermarket rails or rack you can improve load capacity, but when talking exclusively about crossbars... why would you need to switch from the OEM rails? For me, the biggest difference I see are pre-drilled holes you could more easily use for random tie-down points... but apart from that, what am I missing?

 

[ryguytheman]

I'm about to pick up some used OEM crossbars for my 2020 4runner, and I suspect they should do me for a while as I maybe strap random things down, attach a cargo box for skis/roadtrips, etc...

but originally I was looking at only aftermarket solutions, like the LFD crossbars. Far more expensive.

It seems that by replacing the factory RAILS with aftermarket rails or rack you can improve load capacity, but when talking exclusively about crossbars... why would you need to switch from the OEM rails? For me, the biggest difference I see are pre-drilled holes you could more easily use for random tie-down points... but apart from that, what am I missing?

I think it's just about modularity. People like to bolt things on rather than strap or bungee them down.

 

[ElectroBoy]

I'm about to pick up some used OEM crossbars for my 2020 4runner, and I suspect they should do me for a while as I maybe strap random things down, attach a cargo box for skis/roadtrips, etc...

but originally I was looking at only aftermarket solutions, like the LFD crossbars. Far more expensive.

It seems that by replacing the factory RAILS with aftermarket rails or rack you can improve load capacity, but when talking exclusively about crossbars... why would you need to switch from the OEM rails? For me, the biggest difference I see are pre-drilled holes you could more easily use for random tie-down points... but apart from that, what am I missing?

If you’re using the OEM crossbars for light duty tasks they’re probably OK. But just OK. They flex a lot under load. If you want something beefier you’ll need to go after market. I was considering the aluminum LFD crossbars but the expense turned me off.

But then the NiseRack system was made available by forum member [MENTION=176262]Eitek1[/MENTION]. Very affordable and very “nise”.

Check it out. I have the four bar system, but you may want to get two bars at first and add more later. You buy brackets from him and the aluminum crossbars from TNutz.

5th Gen Aluminum Roof Rack Using OEM Siderails: NiseRack

 

[Friggin Idiot]

I only occasionally use my rack, usually lumber or large boxes. I got fed up with the factory rails because there's nowhere to hook the tie down straps and they flex under weight. If you put the hook on the bar, it doesn't stay in place. So you've got to loop around the crossbar and hook back on the strap. Of course at some point you whack the roof with the hook doing this, even rubber coated hooks made me cringe when it happened.
I went with the RagoFab Crossbar set because of all the cut outs and holes which make it easier to mount everything. Attaching ratchet straps is much easier and faster compared to OEM rails or other solid options. It's lower profile than the OEM crossbars and has zero wind noise. As C-channel they're also much stronger, and come as 2 steel & 3 aluminum cross beams in a package. You put the steel at the front and back, the aluminum in the middle. I can stand on a single aluminum and they hold just fine, don't flex enough to touch the roof. Several years in the rust belt and they're no rust from the steel ones, and the powder coating is still holding up well.

 

[kaitlyn2004]

I only occasionally use my rack, usually lumber or large boxes. I got fed up with the factory rails because there's nowhere to hook the tie down straps and they flex under weight. If you put the hook on the bar, it doesn't stay in place. So you've got to loop around the crossbar and hook back on the strap. Of course at some point you whack the roof with the hook doing this, even rubber coated hooks made me cringe when it happened.
I went with the RagoFab Crossbar set because of all the cut outs and holes which make it easier to mount everything. Attaching ratchet straps is much easier and faster compared to OEM rails or other solid options. It's lower profile than the OEM crossbars and has zero wind noise. As C-channel they're also much stronger, and come as 2 steel & 3 aluminum cross beams in a package. You put the steel at the front and back, the aluminum in the middle. I can stand on a single aluminum and they hold just fine, don't flex enough to touch the roof. Several years in the rust belt and they're no rust from the steel ones, and the powder coating is still holding up well.

I notice the ones like LFD and NiseRack have an elevated profile, whereas the ones from rago, OEM, and a couple others are much lower profile - but I would have to imagine this creates very little space between bar and roof to slide things under? Plus interference with the roof fin antenna?

And those rago bars... even for the set, so expensive!

 

[Deuxdiesel]

It's hard to go wrong with the LFD crossbars, but Victory also has nice bars as well. Factory crossbars bounce and flex under very little load, and they connect to the rails with a lot of plastic.

 

[ryguytheman]

I notice the ones like LFD and NiseRack have an elevated profile, whereas the ones from rago, OEM, and a couple others are much lower profile - but I would have to imagine this creates very little space between bar and roof to slide things under? Plus interference with the roof fin antenna?

And those rago bars... even for the set, so expensive!

I got a basket off the for sale section of this forum for $50 and put it up on factory cross bars. The basket provides all the easy tie down points I need, and I'm not putting anything heavy enough up there to cause a problem. Sounds like that may be a good option for you.

 

[Old 97]

Tangential question, but somewhat related: Can the OEM rails support a RTT? I’m guessing not, but was hoping I could go rent/demo a few RTTs before I get around to replacing the stock rails, likely next spring.

 

[ryguytheman]

Tangential question, but somewhat related: Can the OEM rails support a RTT? I’m guessing not, but was hoping I could go rent/demo a few RTTs before I get around to replacing the stock rails, likely next spring.

I imagine the difficult part is getting it mounted, since the stock rails don't run the whole length of the roof. Weight-wise, I think the stock rails can handle 300 lbs, so it's definitely iffy there.

 

[boddysnatcher]

I bought factory crossbars back in April and have already replaced them. I bought them assuming they would be okay for my use, occasionally strap things up there and I have a Yakima Skybox cargo box that I use several times a year for bigger trips. I was wrong. My main complaint about the factory bars is that the clearance between the roof and the bars is so tight that you can barely get the clamps of cargo box through the space. I basically had to let the clamps scrape across the the roof just to get it attached. I got back from that trip and ordered immediately Yakima Timberline Towers and Jetstream bars. So far I'm really happy with the new bars. They are way more durable and quieter.