Roof Racks (Canada)

[ToddTheCanadian]

So far, I've found 4 options, and have eliminated two of them due to them being installed with pop Rivets. I'm surprised they would design something like a rack on a moving vehicle that was installed with pop rivets.
I found this video that describes some real horror stories that affirmed my feeling to stay away from that option.. ( Is your ROOF RACK a DISASTER waiting to happen?! Every 4wder needs to see this! - YouTube )

So here's the list (in order) so far.

4) Sherpa Rack (Redcloud) Ford Ranger Roof Rack | 2019-2023 Ranger | Sherpa Equipment Co. (sherpaec.com)
I'm ruling this out because it is both very expensive, and installed with pop-rivets.

3) Rhino Rack (Backbone mounting system) #RFRB1 - Rhino-Rack Backbone Mounting System - Ford Ranger / Mazda BT50 | (rhinorack.com)
I like that this is modular and I don't need to buy the platform necessarily. I like that you can remove the rack and leave the track in place that is largely invisible. (Easy removal might be especially useful in the winter, it's a pain to clean the snow off when there is a rack on there). I am however ruling this one out because, like the Sherpa rack - it is installed with pop rivets.

2) Prinsu Rack Ford Ranger Supecrew Roof Rack | Prinsu Roof Racks
I like that each rail mounts to the roof at three points with rivNuts. Riv nuts inspire much more confidence than pop rivets.

1) FrontRunner Rack Ford Ranger T6 / Wildtrak / Raptor (2012-2022) Slimsport Roof Rack Kit - Front Runner (frontrunneroutfitters.com)
Installs on two points on the roof, but goes all the way through the roof with a backing plate and nuts on the inside. Although more involved, it is almost certainly the strongest. I would've preferred side rails with more holes to use as tie-down points, but this is minor.

If anyone has any other racks to consider, or other factors to consider please let me know.
Thanks

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[Danager]

Another fan of the Prinsu here. I would recommend it. Have extra parts, a good attitude, and a full day to complete the install.

I ordered mine through Cap-It. Shipping was quick.
I later ordered the trim piece from them - do not skimp on this!
A couple weeks ago I added an awning. Went to the Cap-It website to order the Prinsu awning brackets.

 

[ToddTheCanadian]

Hey @JACKSMYDOG - Do you remove your rack in the winter? Since it's mounted with rivNuts, you could probably just remove the rack and put the bolts back in? Or use the cut-out pieces of gutter-trim as spacers? What do you do in the winter?

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

Hey @JACKSMYDOG - Do you remove your rack in the winter? Since it's mounted with rivNuts, you could probably just remove the rack and put the bolts back in? Or use the cut-out pieces of gutter-trim as spacers? What do you do in the winter?

No I don't remove it for winter, but yes it can be removed pretty easily, and bolts re-installed to plug the holes.

I didn't cut the gutter trim, I just left it off. My truck is black, so it's not that noticeable that it's not there.

 

[Frenchy]

Honestly once it is installed I would just leave it there. I am curious why you would want to remove it if you want to install a roof rack in the first place

 

[ToddTheCanadian]

Honestly once it is installed I would just leave it there. I am curious why you would want to remove it if you want to install a roof rack in the first place

Where I live we get a fair amount of snow. When you have a foot or more of snow on your vehicle it's a pain to clean it off to begin with - it's especially a pain on a higher vehicle, and it's even more of a pain if you have a roof rack. Speaking as someone who's had roof racks on my vehicles for years. This is probably the most compelling reason to remove it during the winter.
(The reason you clean the roof off is so that you don't randomly mortar people behind you with hunks of snow when they fly off as you drive.)

Another reason would be to reduce damage and exposure to the rack itself through some of the harshest weather-months of the year.

There's a chance that I would use the rack to transport my snowboard or skiis if I can't find an alternative way to transport them. In which case I would leave it mounted through the winter, but I'd rather remove it if I can find an alternative.

And then there's also the consideration of eventually selling the vehicle. It is much better to have the option of easily removing the rack versus having to drill-out rivets and mitigate a dozen or more holes in the roof for a prospective buyer who doesn't want it.

There's probably more specific reasons why it's a better idea to keep your options open, but when considering these racks comparatively, it's fair to say that it's an advantage if you can remove it versus if you can't.

 

[Frenchy]

Understanding your reasons I would suggest a different way like a bed rack or topper(with and without cross bars). It can keep things lower and may do better for you. If all you are doing is transporting snow boards then I would not be able to justify a $1000 roof Rack.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Hey Todd,

You’re not going to find a bolt-on roof rack solution like you may have seen for the RoW Rangers. The necessary mounting points are not present on the NA Ranger and you can’t simply use the trim mounting holes.

Whether you get a system with a backbone or fab something yourself, you’ll need to remove the roof trim and drill into your roof to install the necessary rivnut style anchors. It’s a big job and there are airbag side curtains to avoid.

A good supplier for Rhino Rack is www.hitchweb.com.

Good luck with this project.

 

[gvb1940]

Black horse Offroad has a clamp on for the Ranger but it’s $ 1500

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

1) FrontRunner Rack Ford Ranger T6 / Wildtrak / Raptor (2012-2022) Slimsport Roof Rack Kit - Front Runner (frontrunneroutfitters.com)
Installs on two points on the roof, but goes all the way through the roof with a backing plate and nuts on the inside. Although more involved, it is almost certainly the strongest. I would've preferred side rails with more holes to use as tie-down points, but this is minor.

This is made for a Rest of the World Ranger (RoW) and not a North American Ranger. It may or may not fit. I would get some reassurances from their U.S. distributor or one of their engineers before putting this on your truck. Location of mounting holes, curvature of roofline, etc.

You mentioned side rails - one of the members on here ( @SOHK_Alumni ) installed Euro Wildtrak roof rails on a 5G - a search will likely find you some additional info.

 

[mtbikernate]

I just spent too much time on the Yakima site searching for something they offer that was bolted to my roof. I couldn't find anything at all for a 2020 Ranger SuperCrew. I don't actually need a platform as you mentioned (I really just need crossbars) but I do not want a clamp on system. If you know of something that is not a clamp system from Yakima that I missed, please let me know.

The screenshot I posted is from the Custom Install page for a metal roof.

Here:

Custom Install - Roof Racks | Yakima

If anyone has any other racks to consider, or other factors to consider please let me know.
Thanks

Have you considered the ARB BASE rack?

ARB BASE RACK (arbusa.com)

ARB's website is pretty thin on the details, but digging around turns up some deets. You can remove the platform for winter/snow clearance.



According to a previous discussion here with a user who has installed one, it uses rivnuts to attach to the truck.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/arb-base-platform.19405/post-428810

 

[ToddTheCanadian]

Hey Todd,

You’re not going to find a bolt-on roof rack solution like you may have seen for the RoW Rangers. The necessary mounting points are not present on the NA Ranger and you can’t simply use the trim mounting holes.

Whether you get a system with a backbone or fab something yourself, you’ll need to remove the roof trim and drill into your roof to install the necessary rivnut style anchors. It’s a big job and there are airbag side curtains to avoid.

A good supplier for Rhino Rack is www.hitchweb.com.

Good luck with this project.

I had not recognized the distinction between the NA, and ROW Rangers. This comment may have saved me a bunch of headaches, so thank you sir.
I have resolved myself to drilling into the drain channel for installing a rack.

 

[ToddTheCanadian]

The screenshot I posted is from the Custom Install page for a metal roof.

Here:

Custom Install - Roof Racks | Yakima



Have you considered the ARB BASE rack?

ARB BASE RACK (arbusa.com)

ARB's website is pretty thin on the details, but digging around turns up some deets. You can remove the platform for winter/snow clearance.



According to a previous discussion here with a user who has installed one, it uses rivnuts to attach to the truck.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/arb-base-platform.19405/post-428810

This is great info, I have more research to do!
Thanks

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I had not recognized the distinction between the NA, and ROW Rangers. This comment may have saved me a bunch of headaches, so thank you sir.
I have resolved myself to drilling into the drain channel for installing a rack.

Drilling into your truck is tough to get your head around but you just need to know if it’s been done before, how to do it, and what to watch out for.

Our rigs are similar to the T6 variants but not all things are created equal. It’s always better to learn from the experience of others than to learn from your own mistakes. There are folks on here who have had great success with RoW accessories. They will be great resources and are likely happy to share their experience.

Good luck!

 

[ToddTheCanadian]

I later ordered the trim piece from them - do not skimp on this!

Hey @Danager - Since you have the trim piece - is it all that different from a generic door edge guard? Is it worth buying the pricey one from the company, or would something generic work the same way?

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