ROOFRACKS - What are 150 owners using???

[Scott Montgomery]

150 roof rack pics

hey i fitted the Wind Cheeter bar from Opposite lock, fitted some eye hooks to strap thing down to and fitted the GENR8 Vision X solo work lights at the back.
very low profile for less wind resistance and having open ends all around means kayaks and boards can hang over the edge a little.

Guys.....

I starting to do some research into Rookracks for our 150's and was surprised not to find any previous Topic on the subject within the 150's Accessories section....

So I thought I'd start a thread to gauge what people are using as a RookRack for their 150's.... Pics too would be VERY helpful to gauge how/what the racks look like.

Due to our garage height restrictions, I was looking at removing the original bars & use the Rhino Roofbars and when needed, simply bolt on the roofrack(preferred) or basket..

What do people have out there ???

[hookedon4wding]

Rob, the roof load limit on the 5 door 150 Prado is only 80kg anyway so roof rails that are rated to any higher are wasted anyway.

I have 2 of the Rhino Sportz rails as well which stay in permanently and then I have a Rhino Platform Rack which holds an ARB awning, roof bag and 2nd spare when we go away. The new version of the Platform Rack called the Pioneer looks to be a great option for a low profile rack with the option of adding sides as needed.

Cheers, Sam.

[Richoson]

Richo....

What sort of allowable weight can these sports bars hold and What "Size" basket do u have and how is it attached? I've got one of these small baskets for my small 4x4 and I'm not real confident on the way they attach & reckon they would come loose on a bumpy road..... any trouble with yours or do they attach differently via a bolt on style?

Any chances seeing a side on shot??


rob

Hi Rob

The bars are rated at 80kgs per pair and the genuine Toyota rails are rated at 100kgs, I put the Foxwing (10kgs) the basket itself (15kgs), OZTent (20kgs) up there, as well as the shovel, camp oven, a small set of tools, 2kg gas bottle, folding table and some chairs. If needed a jerry can also goes up there. So I reckon all up I'm on the limit of the 80kgs.

The basket attaches to the bars with a kit from Rhino ($20.00) that has a u bolt the shape of the racks, a flat plate and nuts encased in a plastic for turning. I haven't had them come loose at all as they have a little rubber piece that goes over the end of the thread. When I'm going an a long trip (weeks and thousands of k's over gravel) I put a dab of silicone on the nut to stop it coming loose, just peels off with a knife when you want to take the rack off.

I'll look for a photo. See ya on the tracks, Richo.

[barajak]

I have a set of three Rino sports bars permanently mounted with captive nuts set in them. A Rola 1300 x 1900 aluminium luggage basket bolts on in a couple of minutes and any office worker could lift it onto the bars on their own. The Rola basket comes with high and low front and back rails. High ends match the sides and low is about 30mm above the bottom rails and looks like a trademans rack. I also have a rooftop tent that weighs 80kg and a luggage bag with a ply floor, all can bolt onto the Rino bars in minutes (only one at a time though).

[rob_macca67]

Richo....

What sort of allowable weight can these sports bars hold and What "Size" basket do u have and how is it attached? I've got one of these small baskets for my small 4x4 and I'm not real confident on the way they attach & reckon they would come loose on a bumpy road..... any trouble with yours or do they attach differently via a bolt on style?

Any chances seeing a side on shot??


rob

Folks

I have the Rhino sports bars that I leave on and then mount shovel holders as required for day trips and any long trips use a Rola roof basket. This has done two Simpson Desert crossings and two outback NSW/Flinders Ranges trips around 20'000ks and just needed a couple of the bars spot welded, no dramas.

This photo (Pradopoint 2011GTG) shows the shovel, Oz Tent, roofbag and Foxwing all mounted, this is the setup for the long trips we do.



See ya on the tracks, Richo.

[JCL]

Can anybody with a Whisbar tell me if the lengths of the 2 bars are the same (the alloy parts)? I have just put one on my car but the instruction sheet says that the bars should be 2 different lengths with the longer one going at the front of the car. But... mine are both the same length and it looks like the front one should be longer.
Thanks
Terry

The length of the 2 bars should be the same... you can also adjust the length a litter bit.

[Tezza222z]

Can anybody with a Whisbar tell me if the lengths of the 2 bars are the same (the alloy parts)? I have just put one on my car but the instruction sheet says that the bars should be 2 different lengths with the longer one going at the front of the car. But... mine are both the same length and it looks like the front one should be longer.
Thanks
Terry

[rptdprado]

Hi,

I'm using a Tradesman Steel roof rack, strong but lighter than ARB rack.

[ctkelleymd]

As an option:
I had the dealership replace the OEM racks (saved for resale) with Rhino Heavy Duty (non Aero) bars and Alloy Tray. Whole package is slightly lower. Also had attached 100mm Bazooka Tube (for fishing gear) on one side; combo shovel and Hi-Lift holder on the other; spare wheel holder; and upright gerry can holder. You can see in pictures it all just clears (probably gerry can spout would as well; haven't had guts to try it with can full of diesel yet) standard Skyline carport.

[Richoson]

Folks

I have the Rhino sports bars that I leave on and then mount shovel holders as required for day trips and any long trips use a Rola roof basket. This has done two Simpson Desert crossings and two outback NSW/Flinders Ranges trips around 20'000ks and just needed a couple of the bars spot welded, no dramas.

This photo (Pradopoint 2011GTG) shows the shovel, Oz Tent, roofbag and Foxwing all mounted, this is the setup for the long trips we do.



See ya on the tracks, Richo.

[Dupes68]

I've got the Rhino Sportz Bars that attach straight onto the factory rails, then attached a Rhino mesh platform rack and shovel holder onto the bars. Cost for the lot from memory was about $800. Takes 10 minutes to get on and off once assembled, and rated to 100kgs.
Pic attached

[roadblock]

I am using Whispbar S45 Base Rack they go directly to the factory rails so you don't add any height to the car.

Hey Juan, I've been doing the reading and I'm alost convinced to order a pair of S45's. Would you recommend? I want something I can leave on the car a drop a rack on when I'm travelling without affecting fuel consumption, wind noise, clearance, etc.

[LiveFreeAndRoam]

...I contacted the good people at smart bar to ask about the windcheetah racks. They said that the car was provided for the photo shoot with the rack attached and they couldn't tell me anything further than that i.e. dimensions.

Mike, that's a short rack in that photo, perhaps 1.4m. I have the 2.0m variant and it is about full-length with the flat section of the roofline. The Windcheetah models suitable for the Prado are listed on the Dolium web page.

What I notice in the "Smart Bar" photo is that the rack is attached to the standard roof-rails. That wasn't an option when I purchased mine. Is anyone here using that attachment? If so, what is the addtional height of the rack, measured from the roofline?

LFaR.

[Si & Rae]

Mickkmac_42

Just fitted one of these last week and would definitely say it is a two person job. You could do it with one person but it could be risky (damage to roof etc). Ours was fitted by removing the factory rails and installing a grab rail in its place but to wife was called into action for the final mount of the rack itself.

Great rack though and very little road noise added.

[mickmac_42]

Don't mind the look of that one..... What sort of $$ is on that one ??

I gather the original OEM bars are removed to fit this one...... If u want to remove that "Rack only", is that the legs and everthing or something different?

Both of these racks are around the $900 to $1200 mark, depending on supplier, time of year (specials) etc. They can both be mounted to the factory rails or utilise their own "leg" mounts.

I contacted the good people at smart bar to ask about the windcheetah racks. They said that the car was provided for the photo shoot with the rack attached and they couldn't tell me anything further than that i.e. dimensions.

Don't suppose u know heavy it is and whether it's 1 or 2 person job to remove if req'd ??

The racks weigh between 20 and 30kg, and though they can be lifted by one person, they really need two people to remove unless you've rigged a block and tackle system to the ceiling of your garage (as i intend to do).

Mike