Roof Rack Options and Load Ratings

[chris_in_phx]

Good install video here, the back use the stock mounting points and front has 'bumpers' that sit on the rubber trim.

Thanks! Did you get yours installed yet?

 

[UtahCruiser]

Thanks! Did you get yours installed yet?

It arrived 2 days after ordering, but I want to get the roof ceramic coated first - hoping to do it this weekend! Will post when I do.

 

[ctgallosb]

I've spent the last few weeks researching roof racks and talking with each manufacturer as I have a few specific requirements:

• Low profile, I have a low garage height and I want to be able to park in my garage with the roof rack AND ski rack mounted to it
• Low MPG impact, closely related to front wind shield style and low profile
• Low wind noise, closely related to front wind shield style and low profile
• No silicone sealant (in UT we have very hot summers and cold winters, silicone doesn't hold up well long term outdoors).
• Ideally no cutting of existing roof weatherstripping (easily returned to stock)

In reading through numerous forum posts and reddit, the three that came up that would fit this criteria are Sherpa, Westcott, and UpTop. I also spoke with the marketing manager for Rhino and Victory. In no specific order, here is what I gathered:

• Rhino Rack (Recon), 4.5" tall at front, 3.75" middle, 3 5/8" at rear. Personally I liked the front deflector style visually, disliked that it was the most expensive of all listed, brand new, and their feedback was that there would be wind noise and a MPG impact of .5-1mpg. Also was the least responsive customer service of all and most difficult to get answers from. Seals with gasket and NOT silicone. In stock (as of today) and ships within 48 hours.
• Sherpa Atlas lowest profile of all the choices with only 2 5/8" above roof line in front of shark fin. Numerous posts from others with Sherpa racks spoke of the great build quality and low/non existent noise levels and minimal MPG impact. Extremely responsive customer service, and they told me they rarely get any feedback on MPG impact or noise until the rack is loaded with accessories. Seals with gasket and NOT silicone and NO cutting of existing weatherstripping. Second most expensive rack as this is their 'top' choice with 1/4" side rails, very beefy. Ships within 1-2 weeks (as of today)
• Victory Evolution, 3" above roof line in front of shark fin. Seals with silicone, and wind deflector needs to contact paint on roof (thus needing PPF underneath it). They told me that there will be noise and it depends on how it's mounted, forum posts and conversations here verify that most are experiencing wind noise and some level of MPG impact. Ships within 1-3 weeks (as of today).
• Uptop Kilo, 3 1/4" above shark fin. The most unique designed deflector that directs wind above and below the rack, I personally like the look of it (they note on their website that their racks are 'noise free' due to this design). Many forum/reddit posts saying there is no wind noise until accessories are mounted. Seals with silicone, and NO cutting of existing weatherstripping, also had extremely responsive customer service. Finally this is the least expensive rack with very little leadtime. Ships within 1-2 days (as of today).
• Westcott, 3" tall just past shark fin dead center, uses silicone to seal. Some posts indicating it's quiet and built well from users. They answered the phone and spoke to me, but seemed somewhat busy and most answers were very short. Longest leadtime of 4-6 weeks (as of today).

Hopefully this information helps everyone make their decisions based upon what is important to them.

My first choice was the Uptop as I like the design, it's the most affordable and there is near universal good feedback on their racks for other vehicles. However it was too tall for my specific use, so I ordered the Sherpa on the black Friday deal (15% off). The Sherpa Atlas is the lowest profile, also has near universal good feedback, great customer service, ships soon, and does not use silicone. I'll post feedback once I receive and mount it.

Thanks for the great info. I’m trying to decide as well. Top choices are Sherpa, Westcott and Reconn. After your post and the other great feedback, I’m leaning Sherpa. How is it to add accessories and tie downs?

 

[UtahCruiser]

Thanks for the great info. I’m trying to decide as well. Top choices are Sherpa, Westcott and Reconn. After your post and the other great feedback, I’m leaning Sherpa. How is it to add accessories and tie downs?

That's something that I neglected to say above about all of the racks but another reason I chose the Sherpa - they have a slick system of drop in T-nuts that don't require disassembly. Also has built in tie downs on the side, and easy to add more. See link below:

Mounting on the Sherpa

 

[ctgallosb]

Perfect. Thanks for the info.

 

[thognar]

Does the bottom of the fairing on the sherpa sit on the truck’s body? I see a rubber (?) strip on the bottom.

No. The fairing does not contact the touch the body of the truck.

 

[UtahCruiser]

Installed the Sherpa Atlas over the weekend, overall a very easy install. It took me about 2 hours working slowly and stopping often to double check my work (and laying microfiber towels down to avoid scratching any paint). I really like the mounting blocks and bonded washers instead of using silicone, it seems like a really good method of sealing and robust. The rack is very high quality, very thick side plates, and I love that the front deflector doesn't touch the roof. Great packing as well.

I did add brass washers to tie in the rack with the paint color. I also left 2 bars out (over the sunroof) as I don't need them right now and wanted to be able to see out of the sunroof unobstructed. No wind noise to speak of so far but will update as I put the miles on.

Lastly I pushed the rack farther forward than some might as I want drainage for the snow we get in the mountains.

 

[SKLC]

Installed the Sherpa Atlas over the weekend, overall a very easy install. It took me about 2 hours working slowly and stopping often to double check my work (and laying microfiber towels down to avoid scratching any paint). I really like the mounting blocks and bonded washers instead of using silicone, it seems like a really good method of sealing and robust. The rack is very high quality, very thick side plates, and I love that the front deflector doesn't touch the roof. Great packing as well.

I did add brass washers to tie in the rack with the paint color. I also left 2 bars out (over the sunroof) as I don't need them right now and wanted to be able to see out of the sunroof unobstructed. No wind noise to speak of so far but will update as I put the miles on.

Lastly I pushed the rack farther forward than some might as I want drainage for the snow we get in the mountains.

View attachment 21641

Nice touch with the washers looks good.
I did mine this weekend as well, it is a very stout design and pretty straight forward install.

 

[chris_in_phx]

Did anyone happen to have the oem cross bars before and notice how the sherpa compares in wind noise to that? I was driving without the bars and then put them back on and noticed hwy wind noise is noticeable with them on.

 

[UtahCruiser]

I had the side bars but not the cross bars so unfortunately I can't compare for you. I will say that even in high winds and on the freeway the Sherpa is pretty quiet, I can hear very slight wind noise but I'm very picky and it's nothing objectionable.

Putting a Kuat rack on this weekend for snowboarding and I expect much more wind noise after that is installed.

 

[Area 51]

I am interested in getting a roof rack as well. I have the LC trim so just have the OEM rails now. Im a noob to off-roading and racks and these all look very similar to me. Besides weight limits, how else do you evaluate these?

ty
Chris

Noise and ease of access

 

[Area 51]

I'm trying to collect a list of all the options we have for roof racks, and maybe make a table for reference. But, alas, I need some help filling it out! Let me know what else i can add, and if you know missing info, or would like to see more columns/details added.

Rack	Price (MSRP)	Style	Dynamic Load	Static Load	Dimensions/Other Notes
OEM Rails + Crossbars		3/4 length rails with cross bars			Crossbars might be white label Yakima Timberline FX
OEM First Edition Roof Rack	$1400	3/4 length rack
Prinsu Pro	$1355	Full length rack	700lbs	1200lbs
Westcott	$995	Full length rack	~475lbs	~950lbs
Sherpa Atlas	$1499	Full length rack	300lbs	700lbs
FrontRunner Slimline 2	$1848	Full length rails with platform	~ 1/3 static	660lbs
Rhino Rack Pioneer 6	$1459	Full length rails with platform			83" x 49"
Rhino Rack Reconn	TBD	Full length rack	330lbs	826lbs	(Coming soon, maybe $1299)
UpTop Kilo	$999	Full length rack	250lbs	850lbs
UpTop Zulu	$1799+	Full length rack
Victory 4x4 Evolution	$1124	Full length rack			~ 95.5" X 47"
Victory 4x4 Evolution	$741	3/4 length rack			~ 64" X 47"

Great guide, thank you.
Ill install the factory 3/4. Don't want any sky light blocking when I am burning a cuban in motion. (cigar- argh argh)