Getting your vehicle installed with a roof rack may not seem like a priority if you’re a first-time car owner. However, you’ll soon appreciate the benefits of these resourceful platforms when planning a road trip.
A roof rack boosts your vehicle’s storage capacity by letting you free up bulky items from the car’s cabin and trunk. This, in turn, creates extra legroom for other passengers, maximizing your adventure.
Roof racks also enhance a vehicle’s safety by keeping your valuable travel items out of sight and under lock and key. Depending on the platform you opt for, the rack may also improve your car’s maneuverability and fuel efficiency.
But perhaps the biggest challenge isn’t acknowledging the perks of mounting a roof rack. Rather, it’s picking a suitable rack for your car.
This article shall explain the critical aspects to consider when shopping for a roof rack, with a special focus on Toyota Tacoma roof racks.
1. Roof Rack Design
A roof rack’s design determines its suitability for your vehicle. Below are the popular options to pick from;
Roof Rail Designs
A roof rail design is a type of roof rack in which you install rails on your vehicle’s roof, which serve as a platform for attaching various accessories. This is the most common roof rack style used on crossovers and SUVs.
Roof rail systems are remarkably versatile. Picking this style for your Tacoma rack lets you carry a variety of travel items, such as cargo boxes, bike racks, and kayak carriers.
The only downside of roof rail designs is their ability to increase drag, which potentially lowers a vehicle’s fuel economy.
Raised Rail System
This roof rack style is similar to the roof rail design in that both involve mounting rails on your vehicle’s roof.
The primary difference is that raised roof systems tend to have a higher profile.
A higher roof profile provides clearance when transporting larger travel essentials, such as skis and kayaks. On the flip side, it may reduce your vehicle’s maneuverability.
Flush- or Fixed-Point Design
Flush- or fixed-point roof racks are tailored to fit your Tacoma’s roof perfectly. They have a lower profile and appear more streamlined than other roof racks.
Thanks to their customized design, flush- or fixed-point roof racks can enhance your vehicle’s aesthetic and aerodynamic appearance.
However, these racks are typically incompatible with certain accessories.
2. Strength and Durability
A roof rack isn’t something you’d want to purchase every other month. Therefore, you want the strongest and most durable platform you can find.
Most roof racks are made from steel, aluminum, or composites.
Steel is remarkably durable but reasonably bulky. Roof racks constructed from this metal let you transport heavy gear. However, they have a limited weight capacity due to the rack’s sheer weight.
Aluminum is a lighter alternative to steel. The metal is fairly durable too, due to its corrosion-resistance. Consider aluminum roof racks if you’ll mostly be transporting lighter travel items.
Lastly, you can pick a composite material to enjoy the benefits of both steel and aluminum.
3. Weight Capacity
Toyota Tacoma has a curb weight between 3,915 pounds and 4,550 pounds. Your Tacoma’s actual weight will depend on its engine, drivetrain, trim, and cab size.
A vehicle’s curb weight (empty weight) impacts its payload and towing capacity.
Payload capacity is the maximum weight a truck can safely carry in its cargo area, while towing capacity is the maximum weight a car can safely tow.
The Toyota Tacoma has a towing capacity between 3,500 and 6,500 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 1,440 pounds.
Focus on the payload capacity when searching for the best roof rack for your Tacoma.
4. Travel Essentials
There’s no shortage of travel items you can carry on a roof rack.
Nearly all roof racks, including tents and sleeping bags, are safe for transporting camping gear. You may also use these platforms to carry cargo boxes, bike racks, skis, kayaks, and fuel jerry cans.
However, note that the size and weight of your travel gear impact the type of roof rack you should add to your Toyota Tacoma.
Taller items like kayak carriers may be suitable for higher-profile roof racks, while things like tents would be best suited for low-profile racks.
The items you intend to carry on your Tacoma roof rack and the preferred rack design will also impact the accessories you buy. Insist on a roof rack that comes with multiple accessories for hassle-free travel.
5. Roof Rack Profile versus Maneuverability
Low-profile roof racks provide easy access to your travel essentials. With such racks, you can load and unload your Tacoma with so much ease.
A lower-profile roof rack provides unhindered access through low garage doors or basement parking lots. Moreover, these roof racks reduce wind resistance and enhance fuel economy. They make your vehicle easy to maneuver even when cruising bumpy terrains.
Conversely, high-profile roof racks let you transport larger travel gear and protect your Tacoma’s roof from low-hanging barriers, such as twigs.
However, a higher-profile roof rack can increase drag and reduce vehicular maneuverability. These racks may also make your Tacoma less accessible to certain parking lots.
Summary
Implementing the above tips can make a significant difference when scouting for the best roof rack for your Toyota Tacoma. Remember to enlist professional vehicle outfitting services if you can’t seem to narrow down on the best roof rack for your car.
