3rd Gen - Roof Rack Recommendations

TW Community,

I currently have a 2016 Toyota Tacoma with an ARB roof rack. It is incredibly loud and obnoxious when I drive. I am looking for recommendations for quieter roof racks. I am specifically looking at these two roof racks.

1. 2005-2022 Toyota Tacoma Cali Raised LED Premium 360 Roof Rack
https://caliraisedoffroad.com/products/2005-2020-toyota-tacoma-premium-roof-rack-presale

2. Toyota Tacoma Prinsu Cab Rack
https://prinsu.com/product/2005-2021-toyota-tacoma-prinsu-cabrack/

3. UpTop Alpha Tacoma Double Cab Roof Rack
https://www.uptopoverland.com/colle...s/alpha-tacoma-double-cab-roof-rack-2005-2022

I am really looking for something that is much quieter, under $1300, and can secure my solar panel and some equipment. Any advice on which rack will meet my needs?

Thanks

 

Which ARB rack? The original or the new BASE rack?

The BASE rack has a wind deflector. Nice and quiet. ~$900. I am digging the dovetail mounts and the quality is next level. Only issue is that the brackets touch the paint in 4 spots.

 

The original roof rack unfortunatley

 

4. Why not martin offroad roof rack? same design as prinsu

 

Do you have one? Is it pretty quiet?

 

I do, Before they started offering the rubber trim. I used one from a hardware store. I hear it, but its not loud and obnoxious
Anything you put up there will be audible though, but its nothing more than a hum just like big tires on the highway. A little turn up of the music and you cant hear it.

 

I just wish someone made a rack that fold like the stock that could hold some weight.

 

I have the UpTop Alpha Roof Rack with the Truss and Alpha EX combo. I absolutely love the setup and have zero noise complaints.

 

What is the truss and alpha ex combo? Do you have any lights on the rack?

 

That's what UpTop calls their bed rack combo. My rack is full height and level with the roof rack creating a level support from the tailgate to the front of the roof.

 

Anyone order a prisnu or matin recently with the 1 week lead time? Ive sent a couple emails and haven't got a response back. Moving to Hawaii in a month and wanted to install one before shipping it vs paying a ton for shipping to Hawaii.

 

Second vote for Martin OR. You can hear it, but not horrible. I ordered one and it shipped less than 2 weeks after order. Gage was responsive so I'm sure if you reach out you will hear back.

 

Third vote for Martin OR, the noise is not that bad at all.

 

I installed uptop overland rack two years ago and never hear any noise from it. I added Baja Designs light bars as well and no noise whatsoever.

 

OEM here, but just for looks for me. I don't put anything up there.

 

I have Sherpa's Grand Teton. Rock solid and I love their use of the drop in T-nuts. For the most part fairly quiet, but my music is probably playing over any noticeable wind noise. They are on the expensive side, but their Black Friday makes this rack a little more in line with the prices of other racks.

Double Cab Tacoma Roof Rack | 2005-2023 Tacoma | Sherpa Equipment Co.

 

I ordered my Prinsu from Truck Brigade. It showed up at my door exactly a week after I ordered it.

 

Have had my Prinsu for a few years. I used the weather stripping on the deflector. I found that the things I put on the rack make more noise then the rack itself. I had a double rifle case on it which was very noisy. Put a WeBoost antenna on it this year and found that folded across the truck, it would scream. Folded along the truck, it was silent.

 

BOOM! Love to hear it. Thank you for a chance to earn your business and for the shoutout

 

Just going to throw it out there, and many will disagree bc "noise" is so subjective; ALL roof racks are going to be noisy, especially if you start throwing light bars on them. Sure, some have better aero designs, but the fact is, when you introduce more mass up top, with crossbars to catch wind, its gonna be noisy. Before spending $1300 on anything, I'd highly recommending hitching a ride with some local Tacoma people (with the types of racks you're looking for) to make a fair judgment on noise compared to yours.