Best Toyota Tacoma Roof Rack (for Thule/Yakima ski rack)

New here - browsed around for a while but didn't quite find an answer to my question, so posting here.

I have a 2018 double cab Tacoma TRD Off-Road, all of the dealer upgrades (leather, sunroof, tech pkg, tonneau cover, etc.).

I bought a Thule ski system (just the things that hold your skis, not the cross bars or mounts) for the Jeep I traded in to get the Tacoma. Jeep already had a roof mount and cross bars, but obviously the Tacoma does not.

My question - what is the best roof rack system that would also accommodate this Thule system? https://www.rei.com/product/897830/thule-snowpack-6-skisnowboard-carrier

I have researched so much that I am now stuck - I have gone from an OEM standard roof rack, all the way up to a crazy $1,000 over the bed system. Help?!

 

Where are you from, and is the only goal to put some skis on the roof?

 

I'm in Colorado - the main goal is for skis & snowboards on the roof. I could see in the future having other cargo or toys up there, but in the short term it's ski season and I am running out of space in the bed for them.

 

I have factory roof rack with Thule foot pack and cross bars. I use for my Thule Hullavator. Works well! Yes bars on bars!!!

 

I took my oem racks off as I didn't like the bowed crossbars. I have not put anything on yet but have it all in my garage waiting to go on as I was selling it and the seller backed out.

 

This is what I had for sale I might still sell it not sure.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ystem-2005-to-2019-toyota-tacoma-sold.579899/

 

Cool thanks for this, I see you have the Voodoo system on the bed too - those things look super sweet! Those are the ones I started looking at yesterday, and slowly I found myself wanting to buy one of their massive bed rack systems instead

 

Check with @RelentlessFab or @JLee for a bed rack system as they are off amazing quality and customer service.

 

Lol! I still want one of the massive systems if it makes you feel. I got a sweet deal in those bars. You see that my kayak goes out over the bed so when I get my RTT I needed it to be below cab height to accommodate the kayak. I paid to much for that a Hullavator to not use it. Plus, the Hi Rise Cross bars can be removed in 5 minutes to open the cover. To my knowledge no other rack can do this without removing the whole rack.

 

In the short term you could get away with the OEM roof rack. ~$270. Looks fairly easy to install and should work with your Thule system. If you decide to upgrade, you should be able to sell them for a small loss. This is probably the cheapest and fastest option. If you go that route keep the plastic channel covers that you will remove just in case you want to change things up.

There are a lot of other ways to go but will start to add up $.

One option that I am currently doing is the Rhino Rack tracks that are specifically designed for the Tacoma. I’m going to use then with my Yakima system(towers/crossbars)

https://www.rackoutfitters.com/rhino-rack-rts547-toyota-tacoma-double-cab-tracks-set-of-2/

These tracks will work with Thule or Yakima system, but you’d have to buy towers and crossbars to work with your Thule ski rack. The advantage is they are low profile so when you aren’t using the rack you have the slick top look. They are also a much stronger platform over the OEM bars which have a 70lbs max dynamic load rating. This would come into play if you ever wanted to do a roof top tent or just heavier loads. The down side is they are fairly permanent in that they require several holes to be drilled into the roof and are riveted to the roof. They also use the 3 OEM bolts holes on each side.

These tracks probably are the most flexible option if you want to swap out different systems on your roof. If you want to do a platform style rack, the rhino pioneer is a good option, although expensive.

If you want a more permanent platform style rack you could go with a prinsu or front runner style. There is probably a way to adapt your ski rack to those system, but may not simply bolt on as they were designed.

 

He should be able to find a OEM for around $150-175.

 

baldridge, Do you know if there is a certain part number or type of Thule foot pack for the oem roof rack?
Thanks

 

I believe I have the 450 foot pack. The below link is from REI which looks like the ones I have. I ordered mine from some online rack company. Can’t rember which one. I originally had this set up on a Honda Pilot. My Pilot had a similar OEM roof rack. It works well and I have had no issues on either. Only thing I wish I had was a deflector to cut the noise. Let me know if you need anything else.

https://www.rei.com/product/710446/thule-crossroad-railing-foot-pack

 

I have these exact racks on my Prinsu Cabrac

 

So you are using a Thule rack on prinsu? Is so, pictures please.

 

Thanks baldridge. Someone on here also with similar setup was using this fairing for noise reduction.
https://www.autoanything.com/roof-racks/inno-wind-fairing

 

gimmie an hour

 

That’s the one I been looking at. The thread I saw the Inno in the guy had a Front Runner rack I think. I’m just not sure how far out it will come with OEM Rack. Would drive me crazy if it wasn’t flush to the front. Lol

 

Sweet! Only thing keeping me from a prinsu was how to utilize my Hullavator.

 

how do the feet attach?