Utilizing Roof Rack?

[bpowa]

I have a nice Yakima roof rack that came with the runner. I took it off right away due to having no real use for it.

I see a lot of you have it on with nothing loaded.

I do haul my kayak quite often but always strap it down to the OEM rail..

Im thinking of putting it back on for camping but not sure if it is worth the work mounting it back up.

What do you normally haul? or is it mainly an ornament. op2:

 

[Joseph_Conrad]

Merely an ornament for some and not for others. I would put my rack on my 4runner but I don't feel like tracking down a pair of rail grabbers for cheap. I like the rack look, both loaded and sans load. Here's my rack on my old benzaroo.

 

[wadle5]

I use mine all the time
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...u-do-your-4runner-today-1179.html#post1979818

 

[CXS]

After using mine a total of one time in years I finally pulled the thing off. I also think it looks better but to each their own. I had one on my Land Cruiser and when I did use it my mpg's took a huge hit.

 

[ARunner]

I have a yakima rack I use. I remove when not in use. Drag is likely measurable at highway speed (cost around 1mpg when I had a 3rd gen) and the noise is super irritating. Makes washing much easier too. If I used it weekly it would be worth putting up with. I can count the number of times I use it annually on one hand.

 

[bpowa]

Im glad im bot the only one. I went camping a few weekd ago. My truck was loaded. I was going to fit the roof rack back on eventhough i needed the space i decided not to. The thing just takes up space in my garage. It does look cool though.

 

[Range]

I go camping quite a bit and got tired of setting up a tent while everybody else had a rooftop tent on the trucks. Plus I have two little 7 month old boys who will absolutely not sit inside and play video games while we can all be outdoors camping, shooting and taking road trips so just bought a Gobi. I also use the space of my 4Runner a sh*t ton for weekend projects so it'll be nice to finally have a place to throw wood and metal and not worry about my interior.

 

[nicheel8]

Does anyone use a carrier or rack such as Yakima or Thule?

Is one better than the other and can I use stock rails?

 

[ARunner]

Check the manufacturers websites, but yes they will fit stock racks in many cases. I use raised yakima bars because the rocket box from yakima hits the rear spoiler when you raise the hatch otherwise.