Track system for camper top or not necessary?

Just got me a camper shell for my taco. I want to put a roof rack on it and I’m torn between a tracked system or straight up bolting the racks to the shell.
My question is if I’ll really be missing anything without tracks other than aesthetics?

Ill really only be using them for a kayak or moving lumber.

 

Welcome Luke, nice truck and shell.
I bought my truck used with the shell and tracks on it already, so I bought bars to fit the existing tracks.
If I had it to do over I would probably go with no tracks and bolt on some bars. Much cheaper that way.
The tracks are great if you have a lot of different attachments for your toys and need the adjustability, but like you I just need to haul lumber or maybe a ladder once in a while and would probably never adjust the bars on the tracks.

 

Thanks for the warm welcome and the input! I’m pretty sure I’m going to go with no tracks but I’ll give it a few weeks before I make I final decision.

 

Wouldnt tracks help distribute the load and lower the risk of stress cracks?

 

Good point

 

I added tracks on my camper shell for kayaks. I also added a factory roof rack. I can slide the racks on the camper shell to make adjustments when needed for our 10ft kayaks or my 14 kayak, ladders, lumber, awning, etc... I wish the front racks adjusted like the tracks on camper so stuff would lay flat on the front racks.

the tracks can also carry more weight. the tracks needed about 5 bolts instead of 2 bolts holding a bracket or foot. imagine dragging that kayak a few hours on top at highway speeds. it could cause stress cracks on the camper.

I researched the two types until my brain hurt and went with the track.

when mounting whatever system that you decide on make sure to use silicon or some kind of sealant to keep water from getting in the holes you drilled to mount. if water gets in and freezes you'll have tons of cracks.

 

Great info man. Thank you for the input. I definitely know sealant is a must. (I fiddle with boats too.)

 

When i bought my cap, it came with a 2 piece rack bolted directly into the cap without tracks. I thought I would like it but after a while, I noticed you can do so much more with tracks. Trust me, don't do what I did and just put tracks on. Then you can add a 2 piece Yakima, a full size prinsu, a kayak carrier......your options are endless.

 

your welcome.
but, honestly.... the racks were kinda a waste of money. we float almost every weekend during the summer and with alot of people. I already had the utility trailer, but when I just want to have some me time and don't want to pull the trailer the racks come in handy. Loading kayaks on top gets the truck filthy and im always worried about scratching the truck loading the racks. I've seen people attach pvc to the racks to help slide boats on top. I've had 14 boats on that little trailer.

 

Damn dog that’s a lot of yaks. I don’t use my kayak much. I have a 16 foot Lowe that’s set up for all electric that I trailer. Sometimes it’s nice to get back to the basics though and paddle around.

 

we like to leave a 2nd vehicle at a pull out on the river and just let the current pull us down the river for 3 or 4 hours. im not a big fan of the lake because of bass boats and fighting the wind. last year, I did go on a 3 day 51 mile trip last year that I paddled my ass off.

 

I like tracks because it gives me the option of taking off the crossbars. Which, of course, I never do.

 

Grandmammy always said, "Put on tracks or you'll get cracks."

 

Tracks; you can take the bars off when you don't want/need them but they're more versatile when you do. There are multiple threads on here about how to install them.

 

Definitely go with the tracks. They offer multiple mounting points as mentioned VS being hard mounted into the top of the shell.
I had the dealer install the Rhino Rack tracks instead of the Yakima ones. Both are good options I think.

 

My advice is to mount your rear rack or the track as far back as possible so you can load long items without hitting the back of your cap.

See post #86:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...cks-on-camper-top.483625/page-5#post-18314212

 

I like tracks. Had them on all my toppers. Adds versatility. Bikes sometimes, boats sometimes, plywood sometimes. Cost? Who cares, if I wanted cheap I would have bought a Colorado.