Roof Rack

[petcar1 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close petcar1]

I have had a good read through the posts in the 120 area, but I am still no wiser. I want to purchase a Roof rack for the 150.
Have not made up my mind re steel or alloy, flat or with sides. Any Suggestions.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Roof Rack

Couple of questions you need to ask yourself:

1. How much clearance do you have in your garage/carport?
2. How heavy is the items you want to carry?
3. Do you intend to put the roof rack on only when you want to use it?
4. How big a footprint do you need?
5. What is your budget?
6. Do you want to replace the factory north/south rails?

For me, I find that some sort of a tray/platform is useful. I went with aluminium to reduce the weight and maximise the carrying capacity. Rhino has a new Pioneer rack which I quite like and seems to be the best design so far (IMHO) because each plank has a central channel to slide in eyebolts so you can place tiedown points anywhere along the plank. It also looks fairly aerodynamic and therefore should be low on noise.

[petcar1 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close petcar1]

Re: Roof Rack

1. How much clearance do you have in your garage/carport?
2. How heavy is the items you want to carry?
3. Do you intend to put the roof rack on only when you want to use it?
4. How big a footprint do you need?
5. What is your budget?
6. Do you want to replace the factory north/south rails?

1. Roughly 2.5, but not concerned because I wont be leaving it on all the time. I plan to remove and replace as required.
2. Typically I would imagine approx 80kg or less
3. Yes
4. Length would be over 1.5m, I would like to be able to put the awning on the side as well so width would be (????)
5. Mine - Whatever, Hers - $50 (I just need to haggle and beg)
6. I am prepared to do this. Whilst it may be a little inconvenient at times, the extra load capability might be useful. I would put the rails back on, as the Prado, looks way cool with them.

I agree with the platform, we have an oztent and would be putting that on the room so a flat section would be useful. Steel vs Allow is a difficult one. I like the repair-ability and strength of steel, but the weight ratio is looking better. I will have a look at the Rino you have suggested. It seams a good Idea.
I should bite the bullet and but a trailer, but just cannot justify the cost when we are so well set up with the tent deal. I must admit to feeling a little envious when I see a trailer setup, but then again, many of the places we go don't allow trailers anyway. I'll wait till SHM mentions how nice a trailer is, before I pounce.

[RED T UTE Member Find all posts View Profile Close RED T UTE]

Re: Roof Rack

I have a WindCheetah on order 1.8 meter long $1180.00 there low profile is why I got it.
http://www.dolium.com.au/Retail_Catalog ... eetah.html
And there lots of accessories avabile I ordered the table which slides under the rack.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Roof Rack

2. Typically I would imagine approx 80kg or less

Then it would have to be an aluminium rack.

4. Length would be over 1.5m, I would like to be able to put the awning on the side as well so width would be (????)

The typical width of a set of Rhino heavy duty crossbars is 1250mm. That is nearly the width of the roof. You can go much wider if you wish by selecting longer bars, but then you ahve to put up with the looks.

6. I am prepared to do this. Whilst it may be a little inconvenient at times, the extra load capability might be useful. I would put the rails back on, as the Prado, looks way cool with them.

Putting the factory rails back on and taking them off occasionally is not a good idea. They can be a pain to remove the plastic covers plus there is a seal at the bolts to prevent water ingress into the cabin.

I like the repair-ability and strength of steel

To me, this is a non-issue as it would be quite hard to damage roof racks. First, they are up high. They only damamge they are going to sustain is if you forgot the height of your car when entering low car parks. Second, the items that you would throw up there isn't particularly heavy (you can only chuck something heavy so high).

I do like the Pioneer rack because of the simplicity of the design, which makes it easy to put on and off. This makes the roof easier to clean. The problem with this is that the leg kits are quite expensive. For some reason, for the 120 series, Toyota drastically reduced the price of the 3 bar HD racks compared to Rhino. So for 120 owners, it would be more economical to buy the 3 bar HD racks, use the legs off it and attach the Pioneer rack. Then if the Pioneer rack is not required, you could put on the HD bars and re-use the legs.

FYI, the Rhino heavy duty leg kit to suit the Pioneer rack is RLCP23 $299. I bought the 3 bar HD set for the 120 series for $282. Just rang Toyota and for the 150, they sell it as 2 bars and then add an extra bar. Total cost is $385. Still cheaper than the $512 that Rhino wants.

[DougB Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close DougB]

Re: Roof Rack

G'day Andrew
I have just ordered a 150 GX (no roof rails) to replace my 120 and I already have a Rhino tray with three bars and 120 pad mounts. Are you saying the 150 roof fitting is the same as the 120? Also are the Toyota crossbars just re-badged Rhino's?
Cheers
Doug

[lissted Member Find all posts View Profile Close lissted]

Re: Roof Rack

G'day Andrew
I have just ordered a 150 GX (no roof rails) to replace my 120 and I already have a Rhino tray with three bars and 120 pad mounts. Are you saying the 150 roof fitting is the same as the 120? Also are the Toyota crossbars just re-badged Rhino's?
Cheers
Doug

Hi Doug
Yes the Toyota bars are Rhino ones. You couldn't buy the feet to suit the 150 for the first 6 months as Rhino were contracted to Toyota to supply them. I took the rails off mine and bolted the feet straight to the roof.
I'm not sure if the 120 feet will bolt into the 150 or not.
Peter

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Roof Rack

G'day Andrew
I have just ordered a 150 GX (no roof rails) to replace my 120 and I already have a Rhino tray with three bars and 120 pad mounts. Are you saying the 150 roof fitting is the same as the 120? Also are the Toyota crossbars just re-badged Rhino's?

Hi Doug,
Do you have the HD commercial (square shape) type crossbars?
The Rhino/Toyota roofracks consists of 3 components.

1. The mounting pad mounts to the car and is a more or less permanent fixture.
2. The legs attach between the mounting pads and the crossbars.
3. The crossbars.

The mounting points on the roof are different between the 120 and 150. Therefore you will need new mounting pads for the 150. The Rhino part number is RLCP23-BASEKIT @ $131rrp.

If your 120 does not come with roofrails, you may as well leave the mounting pads for the next buyer or you will need to source the roof rail clip holder etc from Toyota to seal off the opening. See
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9383
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=9493

[ifly11 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ifly11]

Re: Roof Rack

Hi Petcar1,

I can appreciate your dilema as I have just sold a 120 and bought a 150. I have an ARB trade rack that I had on the 120 and due to the weight factor I have trouble with putting the rack on myself.

The reason I went with it originally was the low profile and that I could put my Oztent on in the garage and drive out without hitting anything as well as mount my awning to the side of it.

I could buy a mounting kit and fit it to the 150 but due to shoulder problmes I cannot lift that easy now so I am looking at getting rid of it.

I am now looking for a better solution for mounting a rack or bars for my tent, poles and awning. If you can come up with a good idea I would like to hear it.

cheers,
IFLY11

[slatts Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close slatts]

Re: Roof Rack

G'day peoples... i'm new to this site and I was also chasing down a decent roof rack set up. I am after a tradesman type set up with rear rollers to carry all my gear, Hobie kayak, swag etc.. but wasnt keen to be carrying around a heavy steel cage 24/7. I did come across a bloke called Greg who is based in/near Newcastle NSW and he makes aluminium racks to order. He hadn't made a rack to suite a 150 series but really needed a vehicle to get all the right measurments to do it properly. If you live near that area give hime a tingle. I told him when i get a spare weekend and one with no rain i'll take the rails off and take some pics and measurments and send it up to him. If anyone has these measurments i'd be happy to get them from you. His details are on his site www.roofcage.com

Hope this can help someone.

Cheers,
Slatts

[Slip n Away Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Slip n Away]

Re: Roof Rack

Don't know if I can help, but I have some gear off a 150GXL D4D, but not enough posts to advertise . I'm on the Sunny Coast in Qld and you can PM if needed.