Choosing Full Roof Rack: Prinsu or Westcott?

[rangertrace]

I'm leaning towards the Prinsu RR and a Westcott leveling kit. Two of my good friends both have Prinsu and have been really happy with them...on a TACO and a 4Runner.

 

[YellowLab]

When I look at all 3 of the racks mentioned above - I noticed that the front corners have a weird gap on that part of the roof line that I really do not like - anyone see this or is it just the pictures.

 

[munkeeboi]

When I look at all 3 of the racks mentioned above - I noticed that the front corners have a weird gap on that part of the roof line that I really do not like - anyone see this or is it just the pictures.

Now I can't unsee that

The greenlane RR appears to be set back a couple inches though and has a corner cut.

 

[YellowLab]

Now I can't unsee that

me either - I hope it is just a camera angle - but I do not think so

 

[YellowLab]

Now I can't unsee that

The greenlane RR appears to be set back a couple inches though and has a corner cut.

View attachment 3736

Is that your rack?

 

[Bluegill]

Here is a clear picture of the Westcott rack front corner - gap area. The gap lets water on the roof drain away - in the carwash it's like two rivers running down those corners. I was afraid that the gaps would whistle or cause wind noise but they don't.

 

[Dr Bob]

There is a gap but mine is small. You can adjust the rack to bring it down closer to the roof to close the gap with the 2 screws on each side. The small gap doesn’t bother me but I guess it’s a personal preference!

 

[munkeeboi]

Is that your rack?

no that was taken from their website

Seeing the additional pictures, the gap changes depending on the angle. It looks fine on Bluegill's photo and seems quite exaggerated in Dr Bob's pictures.

Is there any adjustment on the rack on how forward or rearward the rack gets installed? It seems like the further the rack gets installed, The less corner overhang there will be.

But the real question should be....how much harder does the rack make drying your roof after a carwash? LOL

 

[rangertrace]

I stopped by a local off road place to see about ordering the Prinsu RR and having it installed. The guy at the counter was all about Rhino-rack for some reason. I didn't care for the way the front looked and it doesn't have a wind deflector.

 

[Kennedyusmc]

Finally got my Westcott installed.
The brass trim washers really tie it together.
Westcott just released the rear ladder to match. Order in.

Anyone have a GX with out rails and want to donate their drip rail covers? Wanna try another idea.

 

[Dr Bob]

Looks great!

 

[phanmann]

I’ve seen lots of Westcott roof racks but none with the cutout option for light bar. Has anyone done this yet? Curious to see how it looks with a light bar installed.

 

[Dr Bob]

Westcott has an option for cutout!

 

[Dr Bob]

This is photo from website!

 

[Kennedyusmc]

Looks like it's notched. 8 up light is not for me, prefer a light bar.
Ive seen a few Prinsu racks with a straight lightbar and wasn't feeling the look on the 550.
I think clean is the way to go for the moment.
Waiting on the steel low bumper with light bar and hopefully a behind the grill mount.

 

[markmanner]

Hi, does anyone know what the load limit is for the Westcott rack (really, any rack net of the weight of the rack)? Looks like the Westcott full length one weighs around 46lbs, and you would lose some weight by removing the rails (this is on an OT+), so perhaps net 40lb increase. The GX manual says "Do not exceed 165 lb. (75 kg) cargo weight on the roof luggage carrier".
So, looks like with the Westcott rack up there you can put about 125 pounds of load on it [40lb net increase from Westcott and 125lb from gear]. Does that seem correct? My numbers of course would vary if the existing roof rails weight is different from the 6lbs I've just picked out of the air.
Thanks
Mark

 

[Bluegill]

I’ve put a couple hundred pounds easy on past racks, especially with logs. On my GX Westcott rack, I’ve out maybe 100 lbs. I wouldn’t hesitate to double that. I don’t think I’d ever really think about weight as much as I’d think about streamlining the stuff for driving purposes.

 

[A10MileHusker]

About to pull the trigger on a Westcott. But had a question I'm hoping someone can help.
I have an ARB awning and wondering if the Prinsu mounts would work with the Westcott. That's the one drawback with Westcott is they don't have any options for this.

 

[mlapoint]

The Westcott is the lowest profile which means less wind noise. It was one of the first to market and many have it reporting no noise.

Prinsu is about 2” taller and basically the same design with the few detailed differences described above (drop in t rails, side pieces are reenforced)… that don’t warrant the price difference to me.

The Sherpa looks structurally the same as the Prinsu, however it mounts using the cross bars vs the side frames. I’m not sure if that’s the strongest design.
I do like the sherpas “booting” systems for keeping water out.
It’s also the gaudiest design competitive with the victory4x4 from my view.

I think the Westcott is the superior design and best price. I’ve got mine assembled and will install in a few weeks.

I’ve made a few tweaks (pics to follow) preparing for install as I wait for roof PPF.
I used brass washers for the crossbars mount bolts- (the brass will contrast and patina and look sharp against the earth paint).
I also ordered a box of epdm rubber 1/8 washers to sandwich between roof spacers and mounts to seal it.

You should use silicone in any circumstance for added water penetration security. My 17 Taco was victim of the roof tail light leak and rusted all my tools behind the seat and molded the truck a bit. Still stinks. Pissed.

How did the install go with the EPDM rubber washers? Did you put silicone on the bottom of them? Curious where you got them/what they look like. Thanks

 

[mlapoint]

About to pull the trigger on a Westcott. But had a question I'm hoping someone can help.
I have an ARB awning and wondering if the Prinsu mounts would work with the Westcott. That's the one drawback with Westcott is they don't have any options for this.

Good point, I'm curious on mount points as well for mounting shovels, awnings, etc. their awning bracket online looks like it would interfere with a Roof Top Tent, thoughts? What are folks using for mounts?