Roof rack conundrum

[NC_LFX4]

How has everyone who have had Prinsu or Rhino-Rack backbone roof racks installed been liking them? I’m torn between wanting a roof rack but being leery of having holes put into the roof.

Part of me loves the idea of knowing a roof rack that is bolted on will always be secure and won’t have to worry about it driving down the road with a load secured to it. Part of me is sketched out about either having the roof leak 3-4 years from now, the headliner never being the same after an installer is done, or something in between.

The other part of me loves the idea of not doing anything permanent to the cab by putting clamp on style crossbars. I’d still get the utility of being able to throw the canoe up there and still have my bed open for mountain bikes and camping gear. But then I’ve seen/heard horror stories about those clamp on crossbars flying off on people with their loads still secured to them.
https://www.stage3motorsports.com/j...-rack-vortex-roc25-2-bar-roof-rack-black.html

Am I just overthinking this or being too paranoid?

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[Danager]

I’m in the same boat as you. Then I thought more about the clamp on style. All the rails do is allow the clamps to grab the rails instead of the roof/body. So there are still clamps involved. I also know I only haul my canoe a hand full of times each summer. I likely will not use the roof rack for anything else - currently do not on my Ford Edge. Nice to have nothing up too for winter. Nice to not have to worry about install issues. Nice to not have to worry about leaks down the road.

I have the Thule foot pack and fit kit in my Amazon cart. I will click on the checkout button in another week or so. My truck was only built a couple weeks ago, so I have some waiting left.

 

[daniel3507]

I like the look of the prinsu and backbone. The low profile looks great. I don't think I can bring myself to drill into the roof though to rivet it down. I've also heard the install is a bit of a pain. For me, the fear of drilling the roof is why I will eventually get the clamp on style. Plus, whenever I get rid of the truck, I can take the parts and easily transfer them to a new truck

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

Love my Prinsu. PITA to install but worth it IMO.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Well everyone knows what I am going to suggest by now...

Mine doesn't bolt to the roof.

 

[Raacerx]

I've been struggling with this too because I don't want to clamp the body, it's just a bad idea in theory IMO, but I also don't want to pay $600 for a bolt in Rhino Rack crossbar solution, or a $750 Prinsu solution when I already have a nice big cargo basket.

I could care less about drilling into the vehicle, that' doesn't bother me one bit, but what I don't get is why I need to spent over $500 when I won't put more than 75 pounds of gear up there.

I also just think the clamp on style racks look terrible.

Has anyone tried any of the ~$200 generic clamp on?

I've been starting to considering just building my own towers and throwing some generic t-rail crossbars on from Amazon.

 

[Gerder]

I've been struggling with this too because I don't want to clamp the body, it's just a bad idea in theory IMO, but I also don't want to pay $600 for a bolt in Rhino Rack crossbar solution, or a $750 Prinsu solution when I already have a nice big cargo basket.

I could care less about drilling into the vehicle, that' doesn't bother me one bit, but what I don't get is why I need to spent over $500 when I won't put more than 75 pounds of gear up there.

I also just think the clamp on style racks look terrible.

Has anyone tried any of the ~$200 generic clamp on?

I've been starting to considering just building my own towers and throwing some generic t-rail crossbars on from Amazon.

The 75 pounds are the limit for dynamic load Ford dictates… so u can build what u want. U keep that limit. … or not … tell us what the real folding point is …

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