Tacoma Roof Rack

Tacoma Roof Rack Review

Roof Racks are one of the most, if not the most popular choices when it comes to off-road equipment. They sit on the top of the roof of your vehicle and can support a variety of things you put on them. They are very useful if you want to carry stuff that is physically larger than your vehicle, or longer, such as kayaks, skis, snowboards, and so on.

They can even carry cargo that has a weird shape to it such as bikes and any other camping equipment. You can also put that extra luggage on top of your roof rack to free up more space inside your car for your passengers. And on top of that, you can also mount a roof top tent which will make sleeping in the wilderness a lot safer and a lot more comfortable.

There are so many ways that you can utilize a good roof rack and it is one of the most important pieces of gear for anyone that enjoys going on overlanding trips. But today we will talk about Tacoma roof racks and we will mention a few of them that we think are the best on the market right now. We will go into detail about each of them and talk about their pros and cons so that by the end of this article you will hopefully find the perfect Tacoma roof rack for you!

 

 

Prinsu Roof Rack Tacoma	Prinsu 1st Gen Tacoma Rack
Front Runner Tacoma Roof Rack	Prinsu Access Cab Rack
Gobi Roof Rack Tacoma	Rhino Rack Tacoma Cross Bars
Eezi-Awn K9 Roof Rack For Tacoma	Thule Tacoma Roof Rack
Sherpa Grand Teton Toyota Tacoma Roof Rack	Tacoma Camper Shell Roof Rack
Cali Raised Tacoma Roof Rack With Light Bar	Tacoma Roof Rack Accessories
ARB Tacoma Rack For Tent	Tacoma Roof Rack FAQS
Westcott 2nd Gen Tacoma Rack	All Tacoma Roof Racks

 

Best Tacoma Roof Rack Models

 

Prinsu Tacoma Roof Rack

Prinsu is one of the leading roof rack manufacturers. They make high-quality, durable, and lightweight racks but today we will go over their Tacoma roof rack. This is a fairly affordable, no-drill rack that has a weight capacity of over 500 lbs which is more than enough to withstand the weight of pretty much anything you mount on it such as skis kayaks, bikes, extra cargo, and luggage, and even bigger roof top tent.

This Toyota Tacoma roof rack has 2 laser-cut side rails which are constructed out of 3/16" thick 5052 aluminum and are also black powder coated to prevent chipping, scratching, and even erosion in muddy environments. The rack has 3 mounting tabs on each side that allows you to bolt the rack into the mounting holes on each side of the roof without needing to drill anything.

A lot of people opt for no drill roof racks because they take less time to install, and you do not have to drill any holes in your vehicle and thus potentially creating a leakage point. It is safer, faster, and overall easier. This Prinsu Tacoma roof rack is also very aerodynamic. That is because of how low profile it is. The side rails of this rack are only 2" high which is astonishingly low.

The rack also comes with a wind deflector which is constructed out of a 1/8" thick 5052 aluminum plate which will lower the noise of the road even more. You can even mount a lightbar alongside the wind deflector to help illuminate the road when driving at night. As we already mentioned this is a very lightweight rack and has a staggering low weight of 38 lbs!

Keep in mind that this rack can only be mounted on your vehicle's cab. It is not long enough to go over your camper shell if you have one. But regardless this is one of the best Tacoma roof rack models on the market right now and there is no doubt that it will be a great addition to your off-road rig. Feel free to check it out.

Why do we like it?

• One of the lightest roof racks out there
• Very low profile
• No drill roof rack
• Affordable
• Sturdy build

Drill Or Not	Weight	Weight Capacity	Warranty
No Drill	38lbs	500lbs+	Limited Lifetime

 

Front Runner 3rd Gen Tacoma Roof Rack

This is yet another leading roof rack manufacturer. Front Runner makes roof racks for tons of different vehicles out there but now we will go into detail about their slimline II Tacoma roof rack and see what makes it so great. This Front Runner rack specifically I made to fit the Toyota Tacoma from 2005 up to the current model. It is very sturdy, and it does not require drilling in order to install it.

The platform rack itself is made out of 3CR12 stainless steel and even has black epoxy powder-coated T6 aluminum components to prevent chipping, scratching and even eroding in muddy environments. As we mentioned this is another no drill roof rack and installing it is a breeze. The kit bolts into the existing factory mounting points that are located under the weather stripping on the roof of the vehicle.

This is also a low-profile roof rack, however not as much as the previously mentioned one. It does not come with a wind deflector, that Is, you cannot mount a wind deflector on it which might be a deal breaker for some people however the platform of this rack is very thin, so it does not create a lot of noise or wind drag when driving. You do, however, have a bit of space under the rack to put something thin and small such as a foldable camping table or anything similar in size.

Now as we said before, this Tacoma roof rack is very strong and was built to withstand anything you put on it. You can use it to transport kayaks, snowboards, skis, bikes, planks, camping gear, water and fuel canisters, extra luggage, or even a roof top tent! This is one of the best Toyota Tacoma roof racks on the market right now and it sure will be a great addition for your next overlanding adventure.

Why do we like it?

• Big weight capacity
• Lightweight
• No drill roof rack
• Tough construcion

Drill Or Not	Weight	Weight Capacity	Warranty
No Drill	58lbs	660lbs+	Limited Lifetime

  

Gobi Tacoma Roof Basket

This is yet another basket roof rack that was made by Gobi, however, unlike the previously mentioned one this one comes with an option for a sunroof cutout so that you can use your Tacoma sunroof without any interference. This Gobi roof rack for Tacoma is yet another non drill rack that is very strong and well-built. But let's see what other things make this roof rack so great.

All Gobi racks including this one are made of stainless steel and have a black powder coat on them to prevent chipping, scratches, and even erosion in muddy terrains. It has steel tubes around the rack to prevent any cargo that you put inside the basket from falling out. However, you should always use tie-down points and secure your load that way as well.

This is not as low-profile rack as some of the previously mentioned ones, however, it does come with a wind deflector which does help with the overall aerodynamics as well as with reducing the noise when driving. A good thing about this rack is that you do have a bit of space between the roof of your Tacoma and the roof rack to put some slimmer items or necessary off-road gear.

This is one of the strongest Tacoma roof racks out there as it has a weight capacity of over 800 lbs which means that it can support the weight of virtually anything you put on it. You can use this rack to transport kayaks, bikes, logs, fuel or water tanks, extra cargo, or even a roof top tent. It is also pretty lightweight as it weighs only 50 lbs.

It fits a wide variety of accessories and mounts and there's no doubt that it will be a perfect addition to your next off-road adventure. Feel free to check it out!

Why do we like it?

• One of the strongest roof racks out there
• Sunroof cutout available
• No drill roof rack
• Affordable
• Sturdy and lightweight construction

Drill Or Not	Weight	Weight Capacity	Warranty
No Drill	50lbs	800lbs+	Limited 1 Year

 

Eezi-Awn K9 Roof Rack Tacoma Double Cab

Let's look at this slim platform Tacoma roof rack made by Eezi-Awn. These K9 roof racks are made and tested in South Africa to ensure that they can withstand some of the harshest terrains out there. This is yet another lightweight, no drill platform rack and is one of the stronger Tacoma roof rack models on the market right now. Let's look into it more and see what other features it has to offer.

This rack has a fully welded aluminum construction with anodized and black powder-coated components to prevent scratches, chipping, and even eroding in muddy environments. It has wide M8 T-Slot slats which run from the front to the back of the platform which is perfect for easy mounting of any accessories. It also features M6 T-Slots around the top perimeter with a rounded top edge.

This K9 roof rack can come in 3 different sizes depending on your needs. However, this is one of the strongest roof racks on the market, if not the strongest as it has a static weight capacity of 1000 lbs! You can agree that that's more than you'll ever need. You can mount a variety of stuff on it such as kayaks, bikes, heavy cargo boxes, liquid containers, and even bigger 4-5 person roof top tents.

Another amazing thing about this Toyota Tacoma roof rack is that it is compatible with a variety of Thule and Yakima sports bar mounts. That makes it a very configurable rack and you can build it toward your needs. This rack does not come with a wind deflector however this roof rack is still very thin and thus aerodynamic.

It is sleek looking and it will complement the look of your vehicle. It is also a very affordable rack considering how strong and durable it is and there's no doubt that this K9 roof rack will be a perfect addition to your overlanding trips. Be sure to check it out!

Why do we like it?

• 1000lbs weight caapcity
• Sleek looking
• No drill roof rack
• Compatible with Thule and Yakima sport bar mounts
• Comes in different sizes

Drill Or Not	Weight	Weight Capacity	Warranty
No Drill	50lbs	1000lbs+	Limited 3 Years

 

Grand Teton Tacoma Sherpa Roof Rack

Let's take a look at another Tacoma roof rack which was made by Sherpa to fit the Tacoma models from 2005 up to the current one. Sherpa is another famous off-road manufacturer, and their roof racks are lightweight, sturdy, low profile, and also affordable. This particular model does not require any drilling in order to install it. But let's go into more detail and see what other things it has to offer.

Let's start by saying that this is a Tacoma roof rack that fits the Tacoma double cab models, and it is constructed out of aluminum and stainless steel and also has a black powder coat finish to it to prevent any chipping, scratches, and even erosion if you ever find yourself in muddy environments. As we already mentioned this is a no drill roof rack and it does not require any modifications in order to be installed.

It is pretty lightweight as it weighs only 45 lbs. however it is also strong and durable, and it has over 700 lbs weight capacity which is more than enough to carry pretty much anything you can think of including bigger roof top tents! Now apart from that it is a very sleek-looking rack, and it will complement the look of your vehicle.

It is also a low-profile roof rack. Its height is 2.5" meaning that it is very aerodynamic and will not make noise when driving. It also comes with an aluminum wind deflector which reduces the noise and wind drag even more. The only downside to a low-profile rack such as this one is that you don't really have space underneath it to store any items.

It comes with a Sherpa Lifetime Warranty and will surely be an amazing addition to your off-road rig and your next overlanding adventure. Feel free to check it out!

Why do we like it?

• Very lightweight
• High weight capacity
• Low profile system
• No drill roof rack
• Integrated tie-down points

Drill Or Not	Weight	Weight Capacity	Warranty
No Drill	45lbs	700lbs+	Limited Lifetime

 

Cali Raised Toyota Roof Rack Tacoma With Light Bar

This is a very interesting Tacoma roof rack made by Cali Raised. Now they are most famous for their light bars, and they decided to make a roof rack that has an integrated light bar to it! It is yet another bolt-on roof rack meaning that it does not require any drilling or modifications to be done in order to install it. It is lightweight and has a sturdy build and is also on the affordable side. With that said, let's take a closer look at it.

This Toyota Tacoma roof rack is built out of high-quality aluminum and steel and has a black powder coat to prevent any chipping, scratches, and even erosion. It is a low-profile rack as we previously mentioned, and it adds 5" to your roof height. It is very aerodynamic as it comes with a win deflector which is adjustable. Let's explain that a bit more.

There is a fairing that you can easily adjust using two of the nudges on the sides of the rack. When driving on the road you can keep the wind deflector up to increase aerodynamics and decrease the noise, but when you are driving in off-road terrain and even at night you can lower the wind deflector thus exposing the LED light bar that's sitting behind it.

Apart from that there are also lights at the back side of the rack which will illuminate your truck bed at night if you need to unload cargo or you can simply illuminate the back of your vehicle if you are trying to back up into a parking space. This Tacoma roof rack is also extremely durable and tough as it can withstand well over 1000 lbs of weight capacity which is more than enough for any heavier loads or even bigger roof top tents.

This is an amazing and innovative roof rack that is certainly going to be a perfect addition to your next overlanding adventure so feel free to check it out! Keep in mind however that this rack fits only Toyota Tacoma double cab models.

Why do we like it?

• Weight capacity of over 1000lbs
• Sturdy construction
• Integrated LED light bar
• No drill roof rack
• Lightweight build

Drill Or Not	Weight	Weight Capacity	Warranty
No Drill	55lbs	1000lbs+	Limited 2 Years

 

Westcott 2nd Gen Tacoma Roof Rack

Westcott Designs makes one of the toughest and best 2^nd Gen Tacoma roof rack models. This Tacoma rack is made in USA, includes some funny yet useful add-ons such as built-in bottle openers, and has an integrated Led light bar cutout so you can install any brand you want to brighten your path.

Fully powder coated in black, this is an aluminum roof rack that doesn’t require any drilling onto the roof of your Taco. It’s a completely modular roof rack, so you can remove or add slats to it. It’s a very low profile rack, only 3.5” tall over your roof, and weighs less than 40 lbs. 

It will fit your Tacoma like a glove, as well as offering a weight capacity that exceeds the 450 lbs, being more than enough to mount roof top tents, ladders or heavy cargo over it. On top of that, it will fit any Tacoma ranging from the 2005 to the 2023 years, so both the 2^nd Gen and the 3^rd Gen in case you were wondering.

Why do we like it?

• Made in USA
  
• Low profile, just 3.5" tall
  
• No drill roof rack
• Perfect for both 2nd and 3rd Gen Tacoma
  

Drill Or Not	Weight	Weight Capacity	Warranty
No Drill	35lbs	450 lbs (static)	Limited Lifetime

 

Prinsu 1st Gen Tacoma Roof Rack

Another Prinsu roof rack con the list, this time for the 1^st Gen Tacoma double cab. This roof rack is made in USA, comes with a limited lifetime warranty and will fit any Tacoma from 1995 to 2004 like a glove. Made of high quality aluminum, it includes 6 slats or crossbars going from side to side of the rack, which are fully modular, meaning you can take them on or off.

The roof rack itself has a 500 lbs load rating, which is more than enough for heavier cargo such as roof top tents, ladders, kayaks, and more. You must drill onto the roof of your Taco, so we recommend you take a good look at the instruction manual before installing it to make sure it’s a procedure you can handle. However, a good thing about drilled in racks is that they are sturdy and incredibly safe.

As to rack accessories, it has a wind deflector which can be changed into one with a cutout for a 40” lightbar in case you want to add one. On top of that, Prinsu designs a bunch of other accessories such as side handles, tent mounts, tie down accessories and such, to improve and make it much easier for you to mount anything you need!

Why do we like it?

• Weight capacity of over 500 lbs static
• Fits the 1st Gen Tacoma perfectly
  
• Made in USA
  
• Low profile rack
  
• Fits a great amount of rack accessories

Drill Or Not	Weight	Weight Capacity	Warranty
Drill	35lbs	500 lbs (static)	Limited Lifetime

 

Prinsu Tacoma Roof Rack Access Cab

Prinsu is one of the best brands in the world for roof racks and they make a Tacoma access cab rack. Being a smaller rack, it was important to include it in the list in case you’re looking for one. It’s made in USA, with a limited lifetime warranty and with a 500 lbs weight capacity. It’s a strong, durable and reliable access rack. 

When it comes to installation, this rack will require drilling, 6 holes on each side of the roof, on the 2 channels your Tacoma has. However, this is one of the reasons why this rack has such an excellent weight rating, by being drilled onto the roof it is sturdy, strong and won’t vibrate as much. Plus, like all Prinsu racks, it is modular and allows you to remove slats or add more if needed to either increase the weight rating, or make space for certain cargo you want to carry. 

It's specifically designed to fit the 2^nd and 3^rd gen Toyota Tacomas. One of the greatest feature of Prinsu roof racks is the fact that they have a great amount of aftermarket rack accessories, from tie down rings, to handles or light mounts, so that this access cab rack can become an upgrade for cargo carrying capacity on your vehicle.

Why do we like it?

• Weight capacity of over 500 lbs static
• Ideal for al Tacoma Acess Cabs
  
• Made in USA
  
• Low profile rack
  
• Fits a great amount of rack accessories

Drill Or Not	Weight	Weight Capacity	Warranty
Drill	45lbs	500 lbs (static)	Limited Lifetime

 

Rhino Rack Tacoma Roof Cross Bars

Time to move and take a look at a different kind of roof rack: cross bars. The Tacoma roof cross bars are essentially two or three bars going form side to side of the cab roof of your Taco. They can be of different materials, dimensions and even attachment styles, but this particular model by Rhino-Rack is our favorite one. It fits 3^rd Gen Toyota Tacomas from the 2016 to the 2023 version, and the reason we like them so much is they have a ditch mount attachment point, which is safer and sturdier than other crossbars.

Easy to install and remove, these Rhino-Rack crossbars take around 20 minutes to be mounted and much less to remove. They are fixed into the roof’s existing factory mounting points. With a special system from Rhino-Rack, you just install them over the ditch and you’re ready to go. 

With weight rating that is over 150 lbs dynamic, you know you have a solid set of cross bars that are perfect for carrying from roof top tents, to kayaks, ladders or more. On top of that, like most Rhino Rack products, they come with a lifetime warranty and even a locking mechanism. Finally, the lower clearance and size means they will have a much lower impact on both the wind resistance and fuel usage from your Taco. 

Why do we like it?

• Weight capacity of over 150 lbs dynamic
• Install in less than 10 minutes
• Affordable price
• No drill roof rack
• Lightweight build

Drill Or Not	Weight	Weight Capacity	Warranty
No Drill	35lbs	150lbs+ (dynamic)	Limited Lifetime

 

Thule Tacoma Roof Rack

Another crossbar system option is this Thule Tacoma roof rack, or more specifically the Evo WingBars for both the Tacoma 2^nd and 3^rd gen with a bare roof. These crossbars have a 165 lbs load rating (dynamic, so when the vehicle is in motion), and can be installed and removed in less than 5 minutes. 

Literally these crossbars just attach between the door and roof of your Taco, enabling you to carry from ladders, to kayaks, canoes, fishing rods and what not. Ideally, roof top tents are perhaps not mounted on these, as the vibration and mounting style of the bars can be risky. Preferably, these roof bars are used only to carry other gear that isn’t as heavy as a roof top tent.

When it comes to the quality of the rack itself, well, it’s Thule, meaning excellent. Thanks to how low they sit, there is barely any wind resistance, impact on fuel consumption or even noise. With a width of 53”, they don’t stick out from the cab of your Taco, offering also a sleek view or look to your rig. At an affordable price, this Thule Tacoma roof rack is a really smart investment.

Why do we like it?

• Weight capacity of over 165 lbs dynamic
• Outstanding quality and durability
  
• Install and remove in less than 20 minutes
  
• No drill roof rack
• Lightweight build

Drill Or Not	Weight	Weight Capacity	Warranty
No Drill	35lbs	165lbs+ (dynamic)	Limited Lifetime

 

Tacoma Camper Shell Roof Rack

There are quite a few different Tacoma camper shell roof racks, but we will focus on the one we like the most: Sherpa Crown’s Nest. Made in USA like all other Sherpa Equipment racks, the Crown’s Nest will fit most truck bed canopies, serving essentially as a truck topper rack. Make sure to choose the dimensions properly, as the size of the rack will vary depending on the dimensions of your cap. 

With a 300 lbs load rating (when in motion), this rack is perfect to carry any roof top tent, as long as the camper shell can also handle said weight. It is made of the highest quality of aluminum you can find in the rack market, and installation doesn’t require any drilling. However, you do need to buy a track to mount this rack over it, and the rack doesn’t include a track.

Weighing just 50 lbs, it’s also a fairly lightweight platform roof rack, of great quality and durability, that will meet all your expectations. On top of that, it will allow you to keep the space inside your camper shell free, to either use it for sleeping or additional storage!

Why do we like it?

• Weight capacity of over 300 lbs dynamic
• Fits most Tacoma camper shells
  
• Weighs only 50 lbs
  
• No drill roof rack
• Lightweight build

Drill Or Not	Weight	Weight Capacity	Warranty
No Drill	50lbs	600 lbs (static)	Limited Lifetime

 

Tacoma Roof Rack Accessories

This section will take a look at some of the best Tacoma roof rack accessories, items we consider are truly useful to upgrade your aftermarket roof rack even further, and transform your rig into a true overlanding vehicle.

 

Tacoma Roof Rack Light Bar

The first Tacoma roof rack accessory should always be a Tacoma roof rack light bar. Why? Simple, light bars come in handy in any given situation, whether that’s just providing a better view of a dark road at night, to even helping you with light in a camp site, construction site or even at home. 

They come in very different shapes and sizes, you can find LED light bars that range from around 10” wide to up to 50” wide. We recommend to get something between 30” to 40” maximum for a Tacoma roof rack. When it comes to design, color or brand, that is entirely up to you and what you want to use the light bar for.

The button below will take you to a light bar collection, where you can find all the lights we have, from all the different brands. You can also find light pods as well, which can also fit just fine on a Tacoma roof rack. You will also be able to read a bit more about the different light styles there.

 

Tacoma Roof Rack Kayak  

If you have a kayak or kayaks and want to mount them on a Tacoma, then you want a Tacoma roof rack kayak carrier. We highly recommend you pair this kayak carrier with either a bed rack or some sort of tie down option to avoid the kayaks moving around or shifting around the roof rack due to the overhang over the bed of your truck. However, if you had a bed rack too, or a tie down option, then they will stay in place.

Perhaps one of the best Tacoma roof rack kayak carriers is the Front Runner kayak mount. This is an exclusive Front Runner roof rack and bed rack accessory, so it won’t work with other brands, but it’s nothing short of excellent. It easily fits any Slimline II rack, keeps the kayaks fixed, sturdy and in place, as well as being durable and reliable.

Other brands such as Prinsu, Westcott Designs or Sherpa, have other mounts that work well as kayak racks, but they just need some extra tying options to secure the items in place.

 

Tacoma Roof Box

Roof boxes are some of the most underrated items that an overlander can have. Why? Well, people tend to assume that once you have a roof rack you don’t need a roof box. Well, we disagree. A Tacoma roof box can keep a lot of your items safe, dry, secure, as well as better organized than simply carrying them or tying them over your roof.

Sure, not all roof cargo carriers make their items universal to fit other brands, but you’d be surprised about how many rack manufacturers, such as Eezi-Awn and even Front Runner have the right brackets and adaptors so you can mount roof boxes from brands such as Thule or Rhino Rack to their roof racks.

If you’re after a Tacoma roof box, we recommend you take a good look at the Thule boxes we offer, which you can find by clicking on the button below!

 

Tacoma Roof Rack FAQS

 

Is there a Tacoma roof rack with a light bar?

Yes, there is! Cali Raised has made an innovative Tacoma roof rack which already comes with an integrated LED light bar behind the adjustable wind deflector!

 

What is the Toyota Tacoma roof rack capacity?

That all depends on the specific roof rack. Some roof racks can withstand up to 500 lbs of static weight capacity and some can withstand well over 1000 lbs!

 

What is the best roof rack for Tacoma?

Each rack is unique and what's best for you depends on your needs. However, some of the Tacoma roof rack models that made an impact on us are the Prinsu roof rack, K9 roof rack, Gobi roof rack basket, and the Cali Raised roof rack with an LED light bar.

 

Is there a Tacoma roof rack with a sunroof cutout?

Yes, there Is and we mentioned it in this article. It is the Gobi roof rack which comes with an option for a sunroof cutout. That means that you can order it without it if you need more space to store your cargo or you can order it with it if you want to use your Tacoma sunroof.

 

What are the best Tacoma roof rack accessories?

Again, that depends on your needs. However, we would recommend that you should have some tie down points if you don't have them already, Rotopax mounts, gear carriers, and other necessary recovery gear. However, you can always decide on an awning and even a roof top tent for those longer overlanding trips.

 

How to install a roof rack on a Tacoma?

Well in the case of no drill racks like we mentioned in this article, you would simply align the holes of the roof rack mounts with the already existing factory holes on the roof of your car and you would simply tighten the bolts and you are good to go. However, not all racks are no drill ones. For those that do require drilling you would need to drill holes in the roof of your car and then align the rack with them and again tighten the bolts.

 

All Toyota Tacoma Roof Racks For Sale