too top heavy

[crashman]

I am wanting to get a roof rack from Whitson Metalworks but my neighbor keeps telling me I will be to top heavy and it will affect my performance off road I don't think it will be that bad but he keeps insisting I will be sorry:argue:
I don't plan on putting anything heavy up there just camping tents, sleeping bags ect. since it gets pretty full in the rear with gear, clothes and other stuff for 2 kids the wife and me also I want to get a light bar ( just cause )

just interested what experiences others have had?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

One of these days I will make an aluminum roof rack for my 4Runner, mainly to cut down on weight on the roof. I don't think it will make or break the 4Runner depending on how heavy duty a rack you're going for and how much you're loading it up.

 

[ebg18t]

It's all relative. We have run plastic totes of gear with fuel tanks on the roof and never felt it was 'too' top heavy. But I can't say I have run the same trail with & without gear on the roof to have a direct correlation. I ran a BajaRack on my Land Rover disco too and never felt top heavy.

If you are consistently on severely off camber terrain then maybe you will notice. But in most non-extreme conditions, ie conditions you would have your wife & kids with you, you will be fine.

Pack the rack smart, strap everything down well so it can't shift and go have fun. Keep the heavy stuff in the truck, strapped to the floor. Put the light stuff up top.

The world is full of arm chair quarterbacks and internet engineers that want their opinion heard but have little practical experience to base their opinions on.

 

[txclimber]

It sounds to me like you would put the same things on top of your ride as I do on mine. Light, bulky things that suck when they get wet (sleeping gear).

Taking looks out of the equation, I think you'd be happiest going the route I did. Get a rocket box or something like it. Slap that baby on your factory rack when you need it only. Plenty of room for sleeping bags, tents, etc. and rain isn't an issue. Neither is that stop at the grocery store with the shady teenagers hanging out front, because they lock and your gear isn't sitting there tempting them.

 

[CXS]

I think you'd find the decrease in your center of gravity a problem Eric. You're pretty high already and adding the weight will be noticeable. I'm basing my opinion off my last truck and hated the result, snagging branches on the trail, feeling more tippy and hurting gas mileage. I'll never have a roof rack on my truck for those reasons.

 

[crashman]

Thanks everyone I like the idea of the removable box I might look into that
Thanks Chris it helps that you have seen my truck. I even lifted the rear a bit since the last run we need to go wheeling again soon

 

[ebg18t]

I think you'd find the decrease in your center of gravity a problem Eric. You're pretty high already and adding the weight will be noticeable. I'm basing my opinion off my last truck and hated the result, snagging branches on the trail, feeling more tippy and hurting gas mileage. I'll never have a roof rack on my truck for those reasons.

I keep the water tank on the 2nd row seating floor, and our dense items in the back on the floor. With the exception of the fuel (which I don't want inside) the totes up top have dry foods, bedding, tarps, etc. which are all pretty light. I think it is all about packing smart. If I put water on the floor to keep it low and something light, but oversize on the roof it seems to work ok. Keep in mind when I have a full load I don't do more aggressive trails.

But maybe I am used to feel since having 10 years of always having certain gear on the roof..

 

[crashman]

One big thing I forgot to mention
I took off my sway bars front and rear so that may make a difference

 

[CXS]

Thanks everyone I like the idea of the removable box I might look into that

Thanks Chris it helps that you have seen my truck. I even lifted the rear a bit since the last run we need to go wheeling again soon

I think that's a good approach Eric. Let me know when you want to get out again, I'm hoping to get my RCI skids on today and I'll be ready again!