Skybox 18 on 5th Gen TRD Pro.

[agloukhoff]

So I have a stupid problem.

My 4th gen got totaled by a stop sign runner - replacement is a 2022 TRD Pro.

Love the replacement truck but there is one dumb problem. The TRD Pro rack is kinda trash.

The 4th Gen had no issues fitting the Yakima Skybox 18 - but on the 5th gen it does limit the lift gate from going all the way up.

It's usable but far from ideal - plus the skybox has to be mounted high and just looks goofy as ****.

I'm looking for the best course of action to resolve this I suppose that comes down to the following:

Replace the stupid TRD Pro rack with a Sherpa rack.

Downsize to a smaller cargo box - looks like the 16 just barely fits into the lower mounting position and doesn't interfere with the liftgate.

It seems like the Sherpa rack is the most sane option, yeah it's going to end up costing twice as much - but at least I'd be adding utility rather than downsizing?

Any other suggestions or ideas? The primary purpose of the roof rack will be just to haul around the cargo box - so it does feel more than a little wasteful, but I do not see other solutions that do not result in downsizing.

 

[achtung6]

You can also delete the upper rail on the factory TRD Pro rack. There is/was a member here that fabricates a kit for this. I bought one but have not installed it on my truck yet. By doing away with the top rail on the stock rack you can mount your box without interference from the rack.

 

[Captain Spalding]

Can you replace the Pro basket with standard roof rails and cross bars? Those have got to be cheaper than a Sherpa Rack.

Here’s a Skybox on a Gobi Rack.

 

[agloukhoff]

Can you replace the Pro basket with standard roof rails and cross bars? Those have got to be cheaper than a Sherpa Rack.

Here’s a Skybox on a Gobi Rack.

The 18 is unlikely to clear even on stock rails - I know the 16 does, but it's significantly shorter.

I like the Sherpa rack better than the Gobi, plus it's cheaper than the Gobi which seems to come with the ladder that I have no interest in - and if I did - the Sherpa one looks better.

Unless you know something I don't that makes the Gobi superior?


I sure don't see myself modifying the OEM rack, I can't imagine it looking right after - or frankly that I'm competent enough to pull it off.

Honestly a part that I don't even get is how the damn box would mount to an after market rack - I am unsure if the claws it uses would clear to mount to the bars directly or if the claws go in the trash and you mount it to the rails some other way....what a dumb problem to have.

 

[Humble Leader]

The 18 is unlikely to clear even on stock rails - I know the 16 does, but it's significantly shorter.

I like the Sherpa rack better than the Gobi, plus it's cheaper than the Gobi which seems to come with the ladder that I have no interest in - and if I did - the Sherpa one looks better.

Unless you know something I don't that makes the Gobi superior?


I sure don't see myself modifying the OEM rack, I can't imagine it looking right after - or frankly that I'm competent enough to pull it off.

Honestly a part that I don't even get is how the damn box would mount to an after market rack - I am unsure if the claws it uses would clear to mount to the bars directly or if the claws go in the trash and you mount it to the rails some other way....what a dumb problem to have.

I think the yakima skybox will work with the sherpa racks. the sherpa crossbars do sit pretty high up and I believe the yakimas will work with square bars too so it should be ok. send an email over to sherpa and ask them, I've seen them post here

Does Yakima Skybox work with Sherpa racks?

being in PA, aluminum over steel is probably the better choice (IMO sherpa is not a bad choice - I was considering one myself). steel will rust with road salt. I don't know what the cost of factory side rails are but you could try and pick up some of those and throw on some yakima or thule crossbars.

 

[agloukhoff]

I think the yakima skybox will work with the sherpa racks. the sherpa crossbars do sit pretty high up and I believe the yakimas will work with square bars too so it should be ok. send an email over to sherpa and ask them, I've seen them post here

Does Yakima Skybox work with Sherpa racks?

being in PA, aluminum over steel is probably the better choice (IMO sherpa is not a bad choice - I was considering one myself). steel will rust with road salt. I don't know what the cost of factory side rails are but you could try and pick up some of those and throw on some yakima or thule crossbars.

Yeah Aluminum is a big factor. My 3rd gen rusted away - my 4th gen got totaled with frame damage from a very low speed collision directly into the drivers side rear wheel - so no body damage, but a few mounts torn right off the frame - which would never have happened if it wasn't so damn rusty.


I dunno how I didn't see that picture of a Yakima directly on the rack - I was THINKING it could be done - but SEEING it done very much seals the deal!

Thanks for that - I'll reach out to Sherpa and ask how that's done and then throw away $1200...

 

[USStrongman]

Sow hat rack was on your last vehicle that isnt on this one? If it was the basic 2 rail with cross rails added, TONS of folks will swap with you. Take your Pro rack for a clean simple OEM rack.

 

[Humble Leader]

Yeah Aluminum is a big factor. My 3rd gen rusted away - my 4th gen got totaled with frame damage from a very low speed collision directly into the drivers side rear wheel - so no body damage, but a few mounts torn right off the frame - which would never have happened if it wasn't so damn rusty.


I dunno how I didn't see that picture of a Yakima directly on the rack - I was THINKING it could be done - but SEEING it done very much seals the deal!

Thanks for that - I'll reach out to Sherpa and ask how that's done and then throw away $1200...

also sherpa doesn't use silicone to seal the threads which is great. I keep going back and forth between sherpa, LFD or just keeping my thule bars which have been fantastic. no wind noise even with two boxes on top...

 

[agloukhoff]

Sow hat rack was on your last vehicle that isnt on this one? If it was the basic 2 rail with cross rails added, TONS of folks will swap with you. Take your Pro rack for a clean simple OEM rack.

Last truck was a 4rd gen, the rails were full length.

In the 5th gen they are 3/4th which is why I'd run into issues even with no TRD PRO rack.

Anything short of a full roof coverage will not fit an 18 without modifications to the cargo box or interference with the liftgate.

I think I'll just get the Sherpa once I have confirmation from them on how to mount the damn box to it....

 

[agloukhoff]

also sherpa doesn't use silicone to seal the threads which is great. I keep going back and forth between sherpa, LFD or just keeping my thule bars which have been fantastic. no wind noise even with two boxes on top...

Yeah the rubber feet vs "Just put silicone on here" sold me on the Sherpa vs other racks.

I don't trust a glob of silicone applied by an incompetent idiot (meaning myself) to save my truck from potential water intrusion into the body of the vehicle.

I have not been able to find any reports from Sherpa owners regarding leaks - previously I had wanted a Prinsu - but a quick search brought up enough horror stories to get it firmly crossed off the list.

 

[Humble Leader]

Yeah the rubber feet vs "Just put silicone on here" sold me on the Sherpa vs other racks.

I don't trust a glob of silicone applied by an incompetent idiot (meaning myself) to save my truck from potential water intrusion into the body of the vehicle.

I have not been able to find any reports from Sherpa owners regarding leaks - previously I had wanted a Prinsu - but a quick search brought up enough horror stories to get it firmly crossed off the list.

ya the bonded sealing washers they use are great. used them in my roof top cases to mount and they create a complete seal around the bolt threads if you use them properly

 

[rageandlove]

Check out this thread

Show me what you have done with the factory TRD Pro roof rack.

For at least 1 person that made a box work. I've seen others too.

 

[agloukhoff]

Check out this thread

Show me what you have done with the factory TRD Pro roof rack.

For at least 1 person that made a box work. I've seen others too.

Yup - the Thule box is a different form factor with different mount points. I'd rather buy a new rack than a new box - mainly because there is nothing really wrong with the box - it's the rack that's dumb.

Screw it - I ordered a Sherpa. Already paid 5k over MSPR for the truck, might as well waste 1k more on making it 'perfect'. The future me will probably regret it - but that's a future me problem..

 

[agloukhoff]

To close this out in case someone ends up here with search -

Sherpa rack solved this easily.