The Toyota Tacoma is one of the favorite vehicles to ever grace the roads of the USA.
A reliable workhorse that just doesn’t quit, it only makes sense you’d want add things to it. After all, you’ll have it for a long time.
One common upgrade is a roof rack. There are some very expensive options for racks, like from the company Prinsu. But below you’ll see that most of those designs have mirror images for much cheaper!
Let’s take a look at the 4 Best Roof Racks for Toyota Tacomas:
1. Hooke Road Tacoma Top Roof Rack Cargo Carrier w/4x18W LED Lights for Toyota 2/3 Gen Tacoma 2005-2019
The Prinsu rack is a very popular model, and this isn’t it. But it looks acts and talks like it.
Hooke Road has come out with a model “inspired” by the very popular Prinsu. But it’s less than half the price!
Which makes people happy.
It’s our top pick merely because of the demand of this style. This is not the most affordable item on this list. There are cheaper options below. But if you like how it looks, this version is going to be a bargain compared to other models.
This is a solid piece of steel. So installation is going to take a little help with it weighing 65 lbs. There are 4 LED square flood lights on the front and the company offers a 5 year limited warranty.
They’ve powder coated it to prevent rust. The best thing about this piece of finely crafted metal is its carrying capacity. At nearly 330lbs, there isn’t anything like it for roof racks.
Like we said before, it’s not the cheapest model but this style does tend to be the favorite of 4 door Tacoma drivers!
2. ANTS PART Roof Rack Rails for 2005-2020 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Cross Bars Black
On the other end of the spectrum, if you just want an affordable way to haul stuff on your roof then the ANTS Part roof rack will do.
Note that for all roof racks on Tacomas and including this one, you need a double cab.
This is a basic setup that includes side rails and cross bars. It’s made of four pieces of black powder-coated aluminum. Installation is possible with one person. All mounting hardware is included and they’ve rated its carrying capacity as up to 150 lbs.
3. MAXXHAUL 46" x 36" x 4-1/2" - 150 lb. Capacity - NOT Assembled 70115 Steel Roof Rack-150 lb
This steel roof rack from MAXXHAUL is an example of something you can mount after installing crossbars.
It does not come with the crossbars! But, we’re sure you’ve seen this on a few Tacomas driving around.
As they emphasize in the description, you will have to assemble this. It uses mostly steel tubing and they’ve powder coated it to give it protection against weather. Once assembled you should have another person help you mount it.
This is only 25 lbs but the awkward shape will make getting it in place difficult. Overall we think this is a great option after getting crossbars and it allows you easy access to your items.
It’s also surprisingly affordable for being made of steel and the reviews reflect what a great value it is!
4. Roadfar Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Baggage Rail Crossbars for 2005-2019 Models
Is there a huge difference between this Roadfar rack and the one we featured at #2? If there is, we couldn’t see it.
Which is why we think you shouldn’t have brand loyalty for these types of racks. Just go for the lowest price.
We’ve included this option so you can check between the two as they hopefully compete for sales.
The Roadfar rack will fit your double cab Tacoma, and like ANTS Part rack it is made of aluminum. They say this one is rated up to 165 lbs though. Which would make it have a 15 lb higher load capacity.
And before we sound too negative, customers love this product so they’ve done something right.
FAQS
Why should I get a roof rack for my Tacoma?
Getting a roof rack allows you to mount things. For any adventurer, this is great. Tacomas tend to have a shorter truck bed than full sized trucks so the added utility helps. You could mount a kayak, snowboard, roof box, bike rack, or anything else you could think of.
I want a roof rack, but not a roof box. Is there any other way to haul things while securing it from the elements?
Yes, roof boxes tend to be pretty pricey. Because of that many are hesitant to opt for them. The alternative is a cargo bag. This provides similar carrying capacity and most models are waterproof. Although you’d probably want that strapped down in your truck bed instead of on the rack.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this guide has helped you make an informed choice on what roof racks are available for your Tacoma. Remember that all of these options are for double cabs or 4-door models only.
The most popular rack style is by Hooke’s Road. This is the one most people would want. It’s a great value compared to VERY similar models by other brands. For a budget choice, we think the ANTS Part roof rack will do.
Whatever you choose, come back and let us know how it worked out. We love hearing from our readers and thank you for stopping by.