Need a roof rack recomendation that's compatible with the carwash. (1 Viewer)

[jackajm]

I’ve had a full-length Prinsu on my GX470 for 2+ years and have take it through multiple carwashes. No problems and the people working there have never said a word about it.

Side note, if you’re looking for that style of rack, I highly suggest you get one with the ability to adjust the location of your crossbars (Like Prinsu).
Some have slots that are only as wide as the crossbar, so you can’t slide the bar fore or aft. The Prinsu (and probably others) are designed so that every other slot is roughly 6” long. You can mount that crossbar anywhere in the “travel” zone.
Being able to place a crossbar exactly where you want or need it, or to customize its location relative to adjacent crossbars, is pretty important.

Good to know! And does the Prinsu affect fuel economy much and or add much wind noise?

 

[McDuff123]

Good to know! And does the Prinsu affect fuel economy much and or add much wind noise?

I don’t think fuel economy was hit at all. Cross section is little changed from stock crossbars.
As for added noise, with the wind deflector, the only thing I’ve noticed is my sunroof fluttering a bit at certain speeds.
What I think is happening is the deflector creates negative pressure behind it ( a vacuum) that lifts the sunroof up and allows it to flutter. But again, only at certain speeds.

 

[jackajm]

I don’t think fuel economy was hit at all. Cross section is little changed from stock crossbars.
As for added noise, with the wind deflector, the only thing I’ve noticed is my sunroof fluttering a bit at certain speeds.
What I think is happening is the deflector creates negative pressure behind it ( a vacuum) that lifts the sunroof up and allows it to flutter. But again, only at certain speeds.

thank you for this!

 

[MotoDave]

I'll second that I have not noticed an increase in noise (or mpg hit) from a prusa rack on my 2010 GX460.

I also take it through the car wash with no issues.

 

[orangerock]

Make sure you need a rack first. If you're going to be putting a large RTT on it that eats up all the space load bars may be the move. I had a Prinsu styled rack but the weight of my Alu Cab tent, awning and shower cube was too much before it started to break. Went with a set of load bars from Outgear Solutions that are crazy strong and offers a very low profile compared to racks.

 

[jackajm]

Make sure you need a rack first. If you're going to be putting a large RTT on it that eats up all the space load bars may be the move. I had a Prinsu styled rack but the weight of my Alu Cab tent, awning and shower cube was too much before it started to break. Went with a set of load bars from Outgear Solutions that are crazy strong and offers a very low profile compared to racks.

I really need it to transport tall ladders. So maybe load bars might be better?

 

[r2m]

I really need it to transport tall ladders. So maybe load bars might be better?

If you haven't already, check out Gamiviti racks. Low profile, stupid strong with six mounting points to your roof and custom to what you want, e.g. full rack, 3/4, 1/2 lengths, etc.

Lexus GX Racks — Gamiviti

www.gamiviti.com

I've had mine for about 5 years now and still very pleased.

 

[jonshonda]

So after installing and reviewing the Victory 4X4 roof rack, I will say I am a bit disappointed to find that is is a universal rack adapted to fit many different vehicles. Not a big deal, but the wind fairing doesn't fit the roof line well, there are extra unused mounting holes in the rails, and the brackets design is a compromise and could be designed to be much stronger if it wasn't a universal setup.

 

[jackajm]

If you haven't already, check out Gamiviti racks. Low profile, stupid strong with six mounting points to your roof and custom to what you want, e.g. full rack, 3/4, 1/2 lengths, etc.

Lexus GX Racks — Gamiviti

www.gamiviti.com

I've had mine for about 5 years now and still very pleased.

No leaks?

 

[r2m]

No leaks?

No leaks. You should still silicone around the mounts on your roof.

 

[roncruiser]

I have a Gamiviti: Lexus GX Racks — Gamiviti - https://www.gamiviti.com/gxracks
I chose this for several reasons:

1. It's one of the lowest designs. When in stalled, not any higher than the factory rack with cross bars.
2. It's completely flat for roof top tents and other gear.
3. Design it how you want it. Full length? Half? Fairing? Whatever.
4. Very sturdy. Six (6) mounting points to your roof.
5. Tim is truly great to work with and it's a very good product.
6. And personally I prefer the old school Camel Trophy Land Rover Defender style look of the rack.

View attachment 3349189

But do you take your mounted Gamiviti through the car wash? Wind fairing on or off during the carwash?

 

[r2m]

But do you take your mounted Gamiviti through the car wash? Wind fairing on or off during the carwash?

When I had the Gamiviti put on, within a few days I had the iKamper roof top tent mounted. Ever since then, it's been too high to fit going through any car wash.
For washing, if I feel like dropping a $120.00 clams on a wash that includes the entire entire interior vacuumed and cleaned, I take it to the local car was, where most the vehicles can go on the track and be pulled through the was. When I take it there, they have to do what they call a "bucket wash" because it doesn't fit through.
My next "go-to" is one of those self wash with the pressure washers. $3.00 bucks for 15 or 20 minutes of wash that includes suds, clear coat wax (or whatever), pressure wash, etc.. They must have a reverse osmosis water filtration system or something, because I just jet dry (read: 70 mph) and it is absolutely spotless! No water spots at all!
When I have time (and feel like getting off my butt), I'll just wash it my self in the driveway. Problem is, I get a little ADD and it turns into an all day event.

But if you only have the Gamiviti rack with no accessories mounted, yeah, should be fine going through any car wash, either the drive yourself through, or the standard, usually car wash. That is one of the reasons I really liked the Gamiviti racks, they are very low profile for car washes, underground parking and most all covered parking. I don't believe anything should bet snagged or break. In the car wash, I mean. Not worried about your rack, those are pretty bullet proof!

 

[roncruiser]

When I had the Gamiviti put on, within a few days I had the iKamper roof top tent mounted. Ever since then, it's been too high to fit going through any car wash.
For washing, if I feel like dropping a $120.00 clams on a wash that includes the entire entire interior vacuumed and cleaned, I take it to the local car was, where most the vehicles can go on the track and be pulled through the was. When I take it there, they have to do what they call a "bucket wash" because it doesn't fit through.
My next "go-to" is one of those self wash with the pressure washers. $3.00 bucks for 15 or 20 minutes of wash that includes suds, clear coat wax (or whatever), pressure wash, etc.. They must have a reverse osmosis water filtration system or something, because I just jet dry (read: 70 mph) and it is absolutely spotless! No water spots at all!
When I have time (and feel like getting off my butt), I'll just wash it my self in the driveway. Problem is, I get a little ADD and it turns into an all day event.

But if you only have the Gamiviti rack with no accessories mounted, yeah, should be fine going through any car wash, either the drive yourself through, or the standard, usually car wash. That is one of the reasons I really liked the Gamiviti racks, they are very low profile for car washes, underground parking and most all covered parking. I don't believe anything should bet snagged or break. In the car wash, I mean. Not worried about your rack, those are pretty bullet proof!

Thanks Man.

I mounted my Gamiviti two weekends ago on my 100. (Just realized this is a GX thread!).
I'm going to lower the vehicle and bring it through the gas station drive-in carwash. The kind of carwash that
runs the slapping rubber brush rollers over the top and sides of the vehicle. My biggest concern was how the wind
fairing would do. I'll find out soon!

 

[r2m]

Thanks Man.

I mounted my Gamiviti two weekends ago on my 100. (Just realized this is a GX thread!).
I'm going to lower the vehicle and bring it through the gas station drive-in carwash. The kind of carwash that
runs the slapping rubber brush rollers over the top and sides of the vehicle. My biggest concern was how the wind
fairing would do. I'll find out soon!

Is the faring aluminum or plastic? Albeit, I'm expecting either should be fine.

 

[roncruiser]

Is the faring aluminum or plastic? Albeit, I'm expecting either should be fine.

It's plastic. I could not find the time today to run it through. Tomorrow for sure.
I'm worried about the rear plastic clips on the fairing dislodging as the roller runs over the top.

 

[WVU fan]

@roncruiser I have taken my gamiviti through a car wash several times with the fairing on. No issues. Drive through with the rubber strips or the spinners. More concerned with mirrors getting forced to fold in. You can always pull the fairing off for peace of mind to get a cleaner roof

 

[mudwagon]

Thanks Man.

I mounted my Gamiviti two weekends ago on my 100. (Just realized this is a GX thread!).
I'm going to lower the vehicle and bring it through the gas station drive-in carwash. The kind of carwash that
runs the slapping rubber brush rollers over the top and sides of the vehicle. My biggest concern was how the wind
fairing would do. I'll find out soon!

I've taken mine through both touch and touchless. Wind visor stays on but shifts around. I took double sided tape and put in on the clips and it doesn't move side to side anymore. Never had an issue with it coming off.

 

[r2m]

Only issue I have is my fairing is clear for my LED light bar, hence I can't really clean behind the fairing between the light bar, so it's always water spotted.