Sherpa Equipment Company - 5th Gen

[SherpaEquipmentCo]

Located on the front range of Colorado, we are a couple of adventure-seeking, Toyota loving, videographers. On our travels, we needed a rack that would live up to the workload of our adventure video production. We were traveling with large amounts of equipment and camping gear but had a very little place to store it. We found that the rack systems available on the market left us sacrificing either strength or modularity. We set out to combine all of the features we wanted into one rack system. We are now pushing to create new products that are both strong and affordable so you can worry less and explore more. We have brought the same great quality to the 5th Gen 4runner Market​

PRODUCTS​

Crestone Rack System​

Drawer Systems (Coming Soon)​

WHAT SETS US APART​

QUALITY MATERIALS
Our rack systems are made with aircraft-grade aluminum and stainless steel hardware, worrying about rust is a thing of the past. While our competitors are using thinner materials, we believe in keeping our side plates thick to prevent issues with bowing. Each rack side plate is cut from 1/4” 6061 to stand up to even the toughest loads.

MOUNTING
Our racks use a rubber spacer to form a seal between our rack and your roof. We believe you shouldn’t have to glob on silicone just to make sure you don’t end up with water in your roof. Mounting our racks requires zero modification to your vehicle.

HANDLES
Gaining access to the equipment on your roof can often be the most frustrating part of using a roof rack or basket. We build handles right into the side of our racks to eliminate the issue and give you quick access to your gear.

ADAPTABLE
Our crossbars are designed to move to accommodate whatever spacing necessary for mounting your equipment. It's never been easier to mount your tents, awnings, and more. Simply loosen a couple of bolts and slide away.

 

[mscot]

Just checked your site for the 5th gen version. It would be cool if you added a couple cut outs to install work lights in addition to those hand holds.

 

[SherpaEquipmentCo]

Just checked your site for the 5th gen version. It would be cool if you added a couple of cut outs to install work lights in addition to those handholds.

As nice as cut-outs would be for those that want to run flush-mounted lights on the side, we also want to be able to cater to those that like the clean look of having no cutouts. Though a great feature for nice side lighting to keep it clean, we have had great luck using products from Extreme Led and Baja Designs to get a similar result without the use of cutouts.

This all comes down to keeping our lead times short and providing to the masses.

 

[Tejas]

Looks like an improved Prinsu. If I didn't already have my Prinsu I would certainly consider this rack as the foot mounts are a better design and the modularity of the rack is much more user friendly. I think you will do well with these. Hopefully you offer some sort of forum and military/veteran/first responder discount as well.

 

[GripT4R]

$879, until you select no light bar , then it jumps to nearly $1100...why?

 

[Tejas]

$879, until you select no light bar , then it jumps to nearly $1100...why?

You're paying for the fairing and powder coat. I think that the fairing should be included with the base price.

 

[SherpaEquipmentCo]

$879, until you select no light bar, then it jumps to nearly $1100...why?

You're paying for the fairing and powder coat. I think that the fairing should be included with the base price.

We offer a no fairing option for those that do not want a fairing. The price does not update until you have selected all the options. So yes, nearly $1100 with a fairing and black powder coat.

 

[SherpaEquipmentCo]

Looks like an improved Prinsu. If I didn't already have my Prinsu I would certainly consider this rack as the foot mounts are a better design and the modularity of the rack is much more user friendly. I think you will do well with these. Hopefully you offer some sort of forum and military/veteran/first responder discount as well.

We definitely do offer Mil/First Responder discounts! Just need to get in contact with us. We worked very hard to make an extremely strong and easy mounting solution. Not having to glob silicon all over your truck was a must for us.

 

[GripT4R]

We offer a no fairing option for those that do not want a fairing. The price does not update until you have selected all the options. So yes, nearly $1100 with a fairing and black powder coat.

Ahh, makes sense now.

I was like, damn these guys will make a killing selling racks for $879 with a fairing and black powdercoat. But at $1,100 it just another aluminum extrusion rack option at a similar price point.

curious to see what happens to lead times...

 

[ridefast]

Located on the front range of Colorado, we are a couple of adventure-seeking, Toyota loving, videographers. On our travels, we needed a rack that would live up to the workload of our adventure video production. We were traveling with large amounts of equipment and camping gear but had a very little place to store it. We found that the rack systems available on the market left us sacrificing either strength or modularity. We set out to combine all of the features we wanted into one rack system. We are now pushing to create new products that are both strong and affordable so you can worry less and explore more. We have brought the same great quality to the 5th Gen 4runner Market​

Can you please post some pics of the front mounting foot location. I want to make certain that the front mounting feet sit on the rubber part of the roofs rain gutter. Also just want to verify that the fairing doesn't touch the paint.

 

[Cdw4n]

How much does your roof rack weigh? I looked on your website but didn’t see it.

 

[mscot]

As nice as cut-outs would be for those that want to run flush-mounted lights on the side, we also want to be able to cater to those that like the clean look of having no cutouts. Though a great feature for nice side lighting to keep it clean, we have had great luck using products from Extreme Led and Baja Designs to get a similar result without the use of cutouts.

This all comes down to keeping our lead times short and providing to the masses.

That reply makes no sense. You have cut outs all over the rack. I don't see the utility in 4 hand holds, 2 or 3 would be more than enough if placed at the right locations. You could easily convert a hand hold to a work light cut out or you could make the hand holds work for either a hand hold or a work light.

 

[Agent_Outside]

That reply makes no sense. You have cut outs all over the rack. I don't see the utility in 4 hand holds, 2 or 3 would be more than enough if placed at the right locations. You could easily convert a hand hold to a work light cut out or you could make the hand holds work for either a hand hold or a work light.

Just buy an SSO, you get stronger crossbars, stronger crossbar mounting point (3 dedicated holes vs a long slot), and light cut outs.

 

[mscot]

Just buy an SSO, you get stronger crossbars, stronger crossbar mounting point (3 dedicated holes vs a long slot), and light cut outs.

Yeah. Was looking to support a CO company when I can.

 

[sn_85]

Yeah. Was looking to support a CO company when I can.

Pricey option here but check out upTOP Overland. They make Al2+ extrusion racks as well but they add a few wrinkles that make it a little unique, more functional, and more than just another also-ran. They also have a lot of accessory mounts as well. They're from Castle Rock, CO if that matters.

upTOP™ Alpha 4R - 2010+ 4Runner 5th Gen NO DRILL – upTOP Overland

 

[SherpaEquipmentCo]

Pricey option here but check out upTOP Overland. They make Al2+ extrusion racks as well but they add a few wrinkles that make it a little unique, more functional, and more than just another also-ran. They also have a lot of accessory mounts as well. They're from Castle Rock, CO if that matters.

Just buy an SSO, you get stronger crossbars, stronger crossbar mounting point (3 dedicated holes vs a long slot), and light cut outs.

To respond to some of the comments related to our price and comparison to our competitors. We are offering a stronger side plate both in thickness and alloy. Our racks mount using rubber spacers and bonded washers to form a OEM quality seal rather than using silicone. Our mounting brackets bolt into a narrow track (1/2" longer than crossbar on each side to allow for proper fitment between vehicles.) All other crossbars bolt into longer sliding tracks so that you can adjust your load rather than having them in fixed points along the rack.
Our racks use entirely stainless hardware so you aren't battling the rust that can go along with zinc over time.

Ahh, makes sense now.

I was like, damn these guys will make a killing selling racks for $879 with a fairing and black powdercoat. But at $1,100 it just another aluminum extrusion rack option at a similar price point.

curious to see what happens to lead times...

For the last two years lead times have floated around 2-3 weeks for raw and +1 week for powder coating. We have actually been chipping away at our lead times and hope to reduce it even further.

That reply makes no sense. You have cut outs all over the rack. I don't see the utility in 4 hand holds, 2 or 3 would be more than enough if placed at the right locations. You could easily convert a hand hold to a work light cut out or you could make the hand holds work for either a hand hold or a work light.

We have played with the idea of having light mounts in the past. From our experimentation, and looking at what is out on the market, having flush mount light pods typically requires a taller side plate. The other downside to having the flush mount holes is that everyone who buys our rack would have to have an open hole, assuming they don't install a light.

From day one our design aesthetic has always been to keep the number of large wholes in the side plate to a minimum and keep them as thin as we can.
Our design team spent time playing around with the truck here in the shop and made the intentional decision to place the handles in very specific locations based on a some of the most common ways people load their rack.

We did some community testing with customers in the past and the majority preferred having the lights externally mounted on the rack, so they could adjust where the lights were directed.

You make a great point about making the handles adaptable. We may need to reinvestigate some of the lights available on the market as a lot has changed in the last couple of years. When we first tested a couple of lights it was hard to find one that came close to the profile of the handles.

 

[SherpaEquipmentCo]

How much does your roof rack weigh? I looked on your website but didn’t see it.

It does vary slightly with options but with a half fairing and powder coat the rack weighs in at 51.5lbs. I'll get that updated on our website.

 

[GripT4R]

Can i purchase just the side rails and full fairing in black without the cross bars?

 

[SherpaEquipmentCo]

Can i purchase just the side rails and full fairing in black without the cross bars?

We are more than happy to put together a custom package for you. If you fill out a quick contact form on our website a member of our team will reach out and get you squared away tomorrow.

 

[Cdw4n]

It does vary slightly with options but with a half fairing and powder coat the rack weighs in at 51.5lbs. I'll get that updated on our website.

Awesome! Thank you for the answer. I appreciate it.