Need your help! I ordered Roof Racks from Gobi *AND* Front Runner?! Help me decide

Hi!

I'm pretty new to TacomaWorld. But wow I'm impressed with the knowledge and community here. I have been lurking quite a while and I got a 2019 TRD OR Double cab short bed in December. Silver. Sunroof. And I found one without the usual dealer nerf bars and bed cover, since I knew I'd be adding the right stuff later.

And so before I did anything to the truck, I *immediately* ordered a Gobi Stealth roof rack (the shorter one) since it's one of the only racks that has a cut-out for the sunroof. I am a big Gobi Rack fan. It was ordered <5 days after I got the truck! But of course it's taken all the way until summer to get it (18+ weeks and counting).

But summer trips won't wait. They're not going to reschedule Memorial Day! So in an emergency, I gave up and bought the Front Runner rack so I could take the surfboards with me to the beach. See the pic! I was

And now the Gobi is finally here and I have no idea what to do...

Can you give me your votes? Even if you just reply with Gobi / Front Runner, that will be helpful. But if you have more to add, I'd love to hear it.

PROS OF THE FRONT RUNNER:

* Versatile, tons of attachments (awning mounts, light mounts, etc. etc.). The surfboard attachment is great. And I might add bike mounts at some point too.
* Simple to add custom stuff since the aluminum tracks take M8 bolts
* Aluminum - won't rust and it's light
* It's already on the truck. Heh.
* Cheaper by more than $400

CONS OF THE FRONT RUNNER:

* It's loud (so far). I will add the front wind fairing asap if I keep it.
* Costs $200+ to add the safari basket
* I don't love the look of the rack especially from the side. I don't love the rail shape. I'll say it's similar to the Prinsu and I don't like either. I can live with it.

PROS OF THE GOBI RACK:

* Strong as hell, tubular steel is bombproof
* Great attachment to the truck
* I think the padded surfboard racks (the tube wrap style) will be perfect...
* I hear they're quiet
* Resale value is high / easy to unload any time

CONS OF THE GOBI:

* Costs a LOT more.
* Heavier (2x?!)
* Looking myself in the eye if I swap out something functional for something better looking. Am I that kind of person?

 

My choice would be the Frontrunner.

I've only seen 1 other person with a Gobi rack on their Taco ... popular for 4runners, Tacos not so much.

Do you really need a steel roof rack? How much weight are you realistically going to load up there? Both racks can hold whatever you load up there

In the end, it all boils down to looks. Which one looks better?

 

For my roof rack (a Baja Rack) the clearance to the roof is low ... great for looks, much harder to wash the roof. This is an area to consider, as is fuel economy. If they're both the same height with a wind fairing, the mileage impact is probably the same.

My Baja Rack doesn't allow the sunroof to open fully in the vertical position. Horizontal is fine, this again is related to roof clearance. Since the Gobi has the cutout, you might double check the front runner.

What else might you carry on the roof? For me the main thing is random stuff (plywood, long stuff from the hardware store, whatever) and my canoe. For me, a basket is a no go.

 

upTOP Overland is also a great choice!

https://www.uptopoverland.com/

Please let me know if you have questions, we have a sale running through tomorrow at midnight!