Roof rack on truck shell

[Mountainman]

Just wondering what people have used for a roof rack system on their truck shell/topper. Might be putting one on my new leer.

[Blurred]

on my full size bronco, the shell on it is fiberglass. I drilled holes through it and put on Thule gutter mount plates. It was really wasy to do, and the thule rack is nice and tight on it.

[phattypowpow]

Ditto on the Thule raingutter system. I was a little nervous this spring about drilling holes in my A.R.E. (fiberglass) topper on my Tacoma but it was pretty easy and has held up well with the loads I've been lugging around on my roof box.

Originally, I was going to put some silicon or some other sealant around the holes but the Thule rubber pads that comes with the raingutter mount seemed to fit well so I skipped the sealant. After several rainstorms, I haven't noticed any leaks yet.

If you want to put a roof box on the bars, just make sure you drill holes for the gutter mounts at a distance from each other that matches the hole pattern on the roof box.

[72Twenty]

Double ditto - and if I am not mistaken, you can mount any brand of rack (with rain gutter mounts) to the Thule plates.

[BakerBoy]

Double ditto - and if I am not mistaken, you can mount any brand of rack (with rain gutter mounts) to the Thule plates.

What about the Yakima plates? Can you do the same?

[jerseyrob]

I recently just purchased a Leer Cap for our Tacoma as well but it hasn't come in yet. I noticed that Leer offers a Yakima roof rack that is compatible with their caps. Don't know much about them since I've only used Thule in the past but may be worth looking in to. I'm pretty sure it is the same design as Thule's track system. Looks pretty solid.

[BakerBoy]

IMO, the track systems are more versatile but carry a little less than the gutter plate setups.

[Mountainman]

I recently just purchased a Leer Cap for our Tacoma as well but it hasn't come in yet. I noticed that Leer offers a Yakima roof rack that is compatible with their caps. Don't know much about them since I've only used Thule in the past but may be worth looking in to. I'm pretty sure it is the same design as Thule's track system. Looks pretty solid.

I think i can build my own cheaper than the 550 dollar price they want for the yakima. how much did you cap cost and which model was it?

[bossass]

Triple ditto on the Thule raingutter plates (I assume Yakima has a comparable plate, but in my experience in working and selling both, I prefer Thule, but most accessories these days are compatable with both, so whatever you can get a good deal on is the best bet)

I didn't seal my mounts and haven't had leakage in the 3 years its' been up there. The Thule gutter towers are solid, I havent' tightened mine in 3 years and they are still good. You can mount the plates flat on the top or on the sides (if the shape works). Mine are on the top and I have trouble with parking ramps (for Tacoma) sometimes with the ski box up there. Just make sure you measure your height.

I'd go plates over the track system. It's cheaper, less drilling and solid. MAKE SURE you figure out what accessories you want and that the distance between the bars can accomdate this. (ie, a Thule Velo Vise bike tray can only go on bars so far apart). If you put a bar on each end of your topper the bike trays won't fit. For my ski box (older Thule) I just drilled new holes in it for the bars, but I think newer models are more accomdating in adjustment.

Good luck.

[MOHSHSIHd]

here is a pic of my ghetto type alum topper (dont mind my weird friend in the pic)...can i put a box up on that sucker? i am a rack/box jong and dont know if i need center weight support on the box or special mounts or anything...thanks



its late..ill resize later

[Snow Dog]

I put gutter plates (not Thule) in my truck canopy since I already had old school roof racks. Expensive ($35/pair) but tough to fab so there you go. Some canopy dealers throw them in as part of the deal since their cost is much lower. If only I'd known....

I prefer removable racks since my truck barely fits some parkades around here as it is.

[jerseyrob]

I think i can build my own cheaper than the 550 dollar price they want for the yakima. how much did you cap cost and which model was it?

Sorry on the late response. I bought the Leer 100XQ. Cost an arm and a leg. Right around $1700.00. Pretty much only had a couple of choices for the 5-1/2 foot bed on our double cab. I think the only other choice was the 100R which I thought looked shitty on our truck.

[Godwin-Austin]

any more pics? has anyone mounted lights up top using the rack itself?

[Vinman]

I just got the Leer 100_R with the Yakima sports package. Really nice, do it you won't regret it.

[danadog]

I have a Leer shell and bought it new with the rain gutters mounts installed from the factory. If you mount them yourself you will void your lifetime warranty that comes with the Leer shell. I think I paid them $75 to mount the gutters.
Only issue was that they spaced them to far apart for my Thule bike mounts. I then had to have them mount a 3rd pair.
So be sure to check where they are going to mount the gutters.