Best Rav4 Roof Rack Models

Toyota Rav4 Roof Rack Review

The Toyota Rav4 was introduced into the market back in 1996. It probably started attracting attention with the 2^nd generation launched in the year 2000. You could get one in America with a 2.0-liter inline-four engine with 150 hp. Slowly but surely Toyota started improving this vehicle until it became a more “aggressive” car with the 5^th generation in 2018, the XA50.

It’s not a surprise that it was then that it started attracting the attention of overlanders and even the off-road world. This was an attractive vehicle, that with the proper aftermarket accessories, it could turn into a good family overlanding rig. Toyota even launched a Rav4 Adventure and TRD Off Road lines. 

As of today, the Rav4 is becoming more and more popular in the overlanding world. Not for nothing, some of the world’s biggest roof rack brands now have different rack options for it. In this review, we will go over the best racks for the Rav4 in the American market, and we will help you choose the one that’s best suited for your needs. 

Best Toyota Rav4 Roof Rack Models

Rav4 Roof Rack Prinsu

First up on our list is one of the best Rav4 roof rack models on the list and it is the Prinsu Rav4 roof rack that offers an impressive static weight capacity of 1000lbs while weighing only 45.75 lbs, making it an excellent addition to your off road rig which will allow you to mount pretty much anything you will ever need on your next trip and even a big roof top tent for your entire family or group of friends.

Constructed out of lightweight yet durable 3/16" thick 5052 aluminum with a black powder coated finish, this rav4 roof rack can withstand the rigors of everyday use while being corrosion-free. Being a fully modular and highly customizable system, this Rav4 roof rack can adapt to your needs and your lifestyle, allowing you to attach various accessories you might need on your next adventure.

With its integrated drop-i points, this Toyota Rav4 roof rack boasts easy cargo attachment and thanks to the built-in tie-down points, you'll be able to safely secure your cargo wherever you go. This is an incredibly low profile roof rack system that is built with aerodynamics in mind and thanks to the built-in wind deflector, this rack will lower wind noise and wind drag even when driving at high speeds.

Why do we like it?

• Impressive 1000lbs of static weight capacity
• Very aerodynamic and low-profile design
• Durable yet lightweight construction
• Very lightweight modular build

Sherpa 2024 Rav4 Roof Rack

The Sherpa Snowmass is an excellent aluminum USA-made roof rack for any Toyota Rav4 from 2019 to the 2022 model. It’s a full-length platform rack, that comes in two different heights, half (for a single row light bar), or full height in case you don’t want a light bar. Plus, you can customize a few other features such as getting in black powder coated or in a raw aluminum finish.

Much like other racks, installation doesn’t require any drilling, so it’s simple to install it yourself with the help of a friend or family member. 

One of the key features that set Sherpa roof racks apart, is that their racks offer industry-leading ¼-inch thick aircraft-grade aluminum side panels, which are thicker than most in the industry and can take literally a stronger abuse. They are built to withstand more weight, more vibration, and tougher trails.

Like other roof racks for the Rav4, it does not work with a panoramic roof. The static load rating is excellent at 700 lbs, meaning you can literally mount over it whatever you can think of. 

Why do we like it?

• Sleek and aerodynamic design
• Easy no-drill installation
• Durable powder-coated construction
• Adjustable cross bars

Front Runner Rav4 Roof Rack 2023

As we mentioned above, the Rav4 has become a popular off road vehicle, and the newest line consisting of the Adventure and TRD Offroad models is a sign of just that. Want to make sure you upgrade your rav4 into an overlanding vehicle? The Front Runner has got you covered with the Slimline II. Made in South Africa, from powder-coated aluminum and high-strength steel, this roof rack is suited for the toughest trails in the world. 

It will literally turn your rav4 Adventure or TRD Off Road model into a vehicle equipped for longer road trips, overland adventures, and the possibility of carrying any cargo you might need. This roof rack has a 660 lbs load rating, meaning you can carry from kayaks to bikes and even roof top tents.

Installing this platform roof rack is not that complex. Yes, it does require drilling, but onto the existing roof rails of your Rav4. Basically, as you can see from the included installation manual, you will use the feet from the rack and bolt them onto the Rav4’s roof side rails. This does require some knowledge with power tools, but it’s still a fairly intuitive installation. And once you’re done, you will have a solid, stable and extremely strong roof rack. 

Please be advised this model suits ONLY the Rav4 Adventure and TRD Off-Road model from 2019 onwards.

Why do we like it?

• Has enough space underneath for slim items
• Sleek looking design
• Aerodynamic and modular construction
• Durable lightweight build

Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform 2019 Rav4 Roof Rack

As you may know, Rhino Rack constantly offers different rack solutions for almost all vehicles, from crossbars to platform roof racks. The Pioneer Platform is their popular platform rack model, which supports itself over grab-on legs that will then attach to the elevated side rails of your Rav4.

It’s an easy-to-install roof rack, taking around 30 minutes to do the whole process. The platform rack is 52” x 49”, so large enough to carry most items, from bicycles to kayaks. As said before, it just grabs onto the roof rails of your Rav4 from 2019 to the 2022 model.

Given the grab-on design, this platform rack will work with a panoramic roof, and even with the TRD and Adventure model. The only setback is that it doesn’t have such a great load rating. Rhino-Rack doesn’t specify the exact weight capacity, but to keep it on the safe side, it should be handled with some attention. The grab-on legs are excellent; however, they cannot take as much off-road use as other platform racks.

Why do we like it?

• Works with a panoramic roof
• No drill installation
• Very strong and durable construction
• Work with various accessories

Off Road Tents Rav4 Roof Rack Favorites:

Toyota Rav4 Roof Rack Cross Bars

This section will cover a different style of cargo rack: the Rav4 cross bars. Crossbars tend to be more affordable, easier to install and uninstall, less noisy, and more lightweight. However, they are not as useful in off-road conditions, can only carry certain objects, and cannot withstand as much weight. They can be great and useful for many, but just understand what you’re after.

Thule Rav4 Roof Rack

Thule, one of the worldwide leaders in crossbars and other rack accessories, also makes two different sets of cross bars for your Rav4. They have flush rail bars, as well as grab-on crossbars to the elevated side rails on your Rav4.

This model is the Evo Wing cross bars, which will very easily and quickly attach to the roof rails of the Toyota Rav4, providing enough strength and stability to mount lighter cargo. We are talking of surfboards, kayaks, canoes, fishing gear, and the very famous cargo-carrying boxes from Thule themselves.

The crossbars are quite silent, not providing much wind resistance, as well as being lockable from the sides. It has a patented clamping technology from Thule, that makes sure these are fastened and clamped much tighter than other models in the market, but you must remember to still check them often and make sure they are tight and secure, especially if you carry heavy accessories or if you are taking your Rav4 on complicated roads. 

Why do we like it?

• Aerodynamic design
• Features wind defuser technology
• Quick and easy installation

Toyota Rav4 Roof Rack Accessories

In this section, we will look at some of the most common accessories that you can add to the roof rack on a Rav4. Normally, these accessories are great for overlanding too, or just to carry items that will improve your day-to-day activities or your weekend hobbies, such as bike racks, kayak carriers, and light bars!

Rav4 Roof Rack Bike Rack

There are plenty of different bike roof racks in the market, you can get Thule bike carriers, the mounting accessories from companies such as Prinsu and Front Runner or Rhino Rack. And you can find all of them on our website, by going to the bike rack section.

However, for the purpose of this roof rack guide, we will talk about one of the most common and versatile Rav4 Roof Rack Bike Racks: the Thule Tandem Carrier.

The Thule Tandem Carrier is a one-bike carrier that will fit on Thule crossbars, more specifically the square bars and round bars. It will not fit the Wingbars or Evo bars. It’s s lightweight rack accessory, that can fit one bicycle on top of it, up to 55 lbs of weight.

Installing it can be simple, as it easily holds and locks onto the crossbars. It has a pivoting fork mount design, for very secure and steady transportation. You will need to take off the front wheel of your bike, as it happens on most carriers, but that also makes it easier for one single person to mount it over the roof of your Toyota Rav4.

Rav4 Roof Rack Lights

Another great roof rack accessory for overlanding, off-road adventures, and honestly day-to-day activities: an LED light on the roof of your Rav4. Honestly, the moment you install a light to your rack, whether that’s a light pod or an Led light bar, the road just feels safer, and the journey a better one. 

We offer different roof racks that can easily fit almost any light bar in the market, however, platform roof racks, such as Prinsu, Front Runner, Sherpa, and such, are the best suite for light bars. They tend to either have after-market mounting kits or already come designed to fit them, such as Prinsu and Sherpa. 

That said, we do carry many different light bars, but the best Rav4 roof rack light bar size is between 40 and 42 inches. Therefore, a great light bar is the Baja Designs S8 40-inch-wide light bar.

Baja Designs is by far one of the leading light bar brands in the whole world. Their products are truly outstanding, and the S8 LED bar is no exception. You can choose different light patterns, but we recommend the Driving Combo pattern, with a white lens.

This Rav4 light bar comes with a limited lifetime warranty proving the high quality of manufacturing. It has 19,050 lumens that use 24 Cree LEDs, and it has a lifespan of over 49,000 hours of light. The exterior materials are made of stainless steel and aluminum, as well as a polycarbonate front lens that’s nearly indestructible.

Mount this light bar to your Rav4 roof rack and get ready for the next level of adventure.

Toyota Rav4 Roof Rack Kayak

Kayak carriers come in different shapes and sizes, and some can be even custom-made with just straps. You do not need to go all the way and find a very specific accessory to carry a kayak over your rack, however, if you do, it’ll be safer and make your life easier. 

We offer different kayak-carrying solutions, more specifically for brands such as Rhino Rack and Front Runner. The Front Runner Pro Kayak Carrier is perhaps the best out there of all the different Rav4 roof rack kayak racks.

Keep in mind it can only be used with the Front Runner roof racks, but this great kayak rack comes with angled V braces, that are adjustable to 20%, creating the perfect saddle for the kayak itself. It comes with very resistant rubber pads that avoid scratching the kayak, as well as keeping it in place. Plus, it comes with Stratchits to secure it even further. Did we mention it can carry kayaks or canoes up to 300 lbs of weight? Yes, it’s great!

Toyota Rav4 Roof Rack FAQs

What is the Rav4 roof rack weight limit?

The roof rack weight limit will vary from one roof rack to another. It’s extremely important you pay close attention to the weight load rating or load capacity of each roof rack you are after. If you want your Rav4 to carry heavy cargo, go for a roof rack that offers at least a 500-lb load rating. 

What is the ideal Rav4 roof rack with ladder?

Well, none of the roof racks that we carry have a ladder for a Rav4. However, you can find a solid Rav4 roof rack ladder from RnoFit Fabrication.

Is it safe to remove the Rav4 OEM roof rack rails? 

This is a great question. The short answer is yes, it is safe, and you can do it to install certain roof racks such as the Prinsu. However, be aware, once you do so, putting them back is not an easy task at all. Our recommendation is to only do it on your own if you are handy with work tools, and power tools and have some serious knowledge of vehicles. If you don’t, do it with a professional or get a roof rack that doesn’t require you to take these OEM roof rack rails off. 

How is the Rav4 roof rack noise?

Each Rav4 roof rack will make noise. If you get crossbars, then the noise will be far less. If you get a platform rack, getting a Rav4 rack wind deflector can be a great idea to reduce the noise, Front Runner, amongst other brands, have wind deflectors. Otherwise, a low-profile Rav4 roof rack such as Prinsu, offers slightly less noise. Nevertheless, they will always make a slight whistling sound or noise. It’s part of getting a rack, and you will get used to it.

Is there a Rav4 roof rack installation guide?

Yes. Each Toyota Rav4 roof rack from all different brands will include its own installation manual or guide. Meaning, you can install the rack on your own by following the guidelines.

All Toyota Rav4 Roof Rack Models For Sale