Crossbar choices for factory rails??

[mdmountainman]

I don’t need/want a full length roof rack but I do need a couple of crossbars mostly to haul a rooftop bag occasionally.
I may eventually want to use had sided boxes too and who knows what else.

am looking at the victory 4x4 crossbars
https://www.victory4x4.com/product/V4R6RK-CS.html

or

rago crossmembers
https://www.ragofabrication.com/products/6th-gen-4runner-crossmembers




I am most interested in keeping wind noise to a minimum as they won’t even be used for 95% of my driving.
I do want them to be strong enough to hold some weight if I decide to haul more in the future. I don’t ever see a rooftop tent being used.
Thoughts or experiences?

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[4Runner4Fun]

I installed Yakima Timberline FX crossbars. I mainly just needed something for my Yakima Skybox that I use a few times a year. One of my requirements was easy removal since I only want the crossbars on when I am taking the Skybox. The Timberline crossbars work great and are easy to put on and off. They also have other crossbars but they looked harder to take on and off, as did most other options I researched. Good luck with your search.

 

[BRunner]

The shape of the bars will make a significant difference to the noise, those square tubes full of holes are going to be a lot noisier than the Yakima's mentioned above that have a proper aerodynamic wing shape.

 

[mdmountainman]

I installed Yakima Timberline FX crossbars. I mainly just needed something for my Yakima Skybox that I use a few times a year. One of my requirements was easy removal since I only want the crossbars on when I am taking the Skybox. The Timberline crossbars work great and are easy to put on and off. They also have other crossbars but they looked harder to take on and off, as did most other options I researched. Good luck with your search.

I hadn’t considered removable crossbars which seems like a really damn good idea for my needs. . Now I have more research to do. Thank you.

 

[mdmountainman]

The shape of the bars will make a significant difference to the noise, those square tubes full of holes are going to be a lot noisier than the Yakima's mentioned above that have a proper aerodynamic wing shape.

That’s what I was afraid of with this style. I had a set of aerodynamic ones on my old SUV that I left on full time and never noticed them. They don’t really need to hold a bunch of weight with the soft bag.

 

[mdmountainman]

https://gembadocs.com/stdop/pdf/a4f913408-7f5a4658b4be-1745253198?view_type=pdf

looking at these install pics. It looks like a socket and hex head driver could have these on or off in about 5 minutes. At $300 for 2 of them it might just be worth using these. The Yakima are expensive at $600 a pair.
I do wonder though about any sharp edges on the victory ones damaging the straps on my cargo bag.

Trying to save some money here for an engine skid. . Thinking the stock one on my Limited is pretty useless. That air dam may have to go too.

 

[4Runner4Fun]

Another option is a hitch basket since you have a soft bag vs hard rooftop carrier. Harbor freight has one for $60 and it'd be even easier to add/remove when you need it. Your crossbar wind noise concern disappears too.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Well I faced that same issue that you are experiencing now with my previous 5th Gen.
I ended up going for the Thule Evo crossbars. They are shaped like an arrow wing with a rounded Leading Edge just like an arrow wing. They are completely flat and rubberized top. They have options to have the locks installed so you can basically just clamp them down on your roof rails and lock them and they are secure no one stealing them. I use them for hauling ladders, 4x4s, sheetrock, many loads of plywood. They are very solid and I have thoroughly beat the crap out of mine and they are still good and I will be using them when needed for my 6th gen.

Also I have toyed with the idea of going with a low profile small 3/4 basket top. These can be clamped down perfectly to the crossbars and used to haul Jerry cans, spare tires, you name it.

Sorry I don't have any photos as I don't have mine on the runner yet as most of my construction work is completed at this time.
but if you go to the website you will see them.
Just my two cents.

 

[Lamuncha]

Cross bars that I found to be quietest and functional had flattened oval (like a wing) cross section and importantly, some amount of rubber across the top which made securing any load way more secure.
The latest suv I had used the oval design but removed that rubber top strip. Huge PITA trying to secure stuff to an electro coated finish.

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