Prinsu or Victory roof rack?

[DesertRider]

I'm just about finished with the paperwork and should be shipping a 2018 LX 570 Northbound in the near future. I know I'll have the drop the headliner for a roof rack, but the Prinsu and Victory look like the best design for the assorted uses I have for canoes, building materials, camping gear, etc. I haven't seen any pros and cons of the two roof racks that look almost the same. Does one accept more accessories than the other or are there not any real differences? I appreciate the input.

 

[KLF]

I am extremely happy with my Sherpa Blanca. I've had it heavily loaded with lumber several times, very sold and stable. I'm not sure why you think the headliner has to come down, I didn't have to do that, and I don't think you have to for any of the others. You just have to be careful and take your time removing the factory rack bolts.

The Blanca (2008-2021 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series)

This full-length aluminum roof rack, for the 2008-2021 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series (LC200), expands on our lineup of tried and true rack systems. Our racks are some of the toughest on the market and are designed to get your gear to the places that matter the most.

sherpaec.com

It's too bad you missed the Black Friday deals. I have a new Grand Teton and a Crows Nest sitting in my garage for my Tacoma, I hope to install tomorrow.

 

[DesertRider]

I am extremely happy with my Sherpa Blanca. I've had it heavily loaded with lumber several times, very sold and stable. I'm not sure why you think the headliner has to come down, I didn't have to do that, and I don't think you have to for any of the others. You just have to be careful and take your time removing the factory rack bolts.

The Blanca (2008-2021 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series)

This full-length aluminum roof rack, for the 2008-2021 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series (LC200), expands on our lineup of tried and true rack systems. Our racks are some of the toughest on the market and are designed to get your gear to the places that matter the most.

sherpaec.com

It's too bad you missed the Black Friday deals. I have a new Grand Teton and a Crows Nest sitting in my garage for my Tacoma, I hope to install tomorrow.

What I've read on the 2018 LX 570 is it does not have the captive nuts and you need to drop the headliner to install them. If that's not the case I'll be a happy camper. I'll check out the Sherpa as another option

 

[NYC570]

You have to drop the headliner on 16+ LX. As far as the rack goes, I'd go with something like the prinsu pro or anything with angled side rails.

 

[rlynch356]

the prinsu was really quite but I replaced it given I am going to a heavy 270 awning and I didn't think it was up to the task, and I wanted the ability to carry a table (i.e. front runner)

 

[Supra Turbo]

I do not have first hand experience, but I've seen some issues with the prinsu rack cracking. Keep in mind your load needs when selecting a rack.

 

[jl199986]

ARB base is welded one piece. Very happy with it, big loads. Roller add on for the back for lumber & canoes had been great.

 

[bicycleagent003]

Ironman 4x4 also makes welded one piece racks, with lighter weight alloy options. All those Prinsu and Victory type racks look to me like they have a lot of failure points, with too many fasteners to loosen and rust for my liking. I must be in the minority because they are very popular, they are just not for me.

 

[Dwight S]

As of today, Victory has reduced the price of their rack to $879.20 and offers free shipping, at least in the US.

 

[gasman4u]

@DesertRider have you thought about a Gamiviti rack?

 

[7000ft]

ARB base is welded one piece. Very happy with it, big loads. Roller add on for the back for lumber & canoes had been great.

I've had my 81" Baserack on my 2020HE for over three years. Just as solid as the day we installed it. I wouldn't have an erector kit roof rack if I wanted to load it with a roof tent and venture off road.

 

[DesertRider]

@DesertRider have you thought about a Gamiviti rack?

That looks like an interesting and easy to install option, but I'm curious how strong the cross bars are. I don't plan to have heavy loads on there often, but will likely go the route of removing the factory rails and putting on a full rack.

 

[gasman4u]

That looks like an interesting and easy to install option, but I'm curious how strong the cross bars are. I don't plan to have heavy loads on there often, but will likely go the route of removing the factory rails and putting on a full rack.

I don’t know. The owner’s name is….Tim? He’s on here too. Drop him a line.

 

[Tadem]

You have to drop the headliner on 16+ LX. As far as the rack goes, I'd go with something like the prinsu pro or anything with angled side rails.

Mine is 2013 but I read enough horror stories and decided to play it safe. If you get M8 stubs like in the picture you can make it work.

 

[Tadem]

I am extremely happy with my Sherpa Blanca. I've had it heavily loaded with lumber several times, very sold and stable. I'm not sure why you think the headliner has to come down, I didn't have to do that, and I don't think you have to for any of the others. You just have to be careful and take your time removing the factory rack bolts.

The Blanca (2008-2021 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series)

This full-length aluminum roof rack, for the 2008-2021 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series (LC200), expands on our lineup of tried and true rack systems. Our racks are some of the toughest on the market and are designed to get your gear to the places that matter the most.

sherpaec.com

It's too bad you missed the Black Friday deals. I have a new Grand Teton and a Crows Nest sitting in my garage for my Tacoma, I hope to install tomorrow.

+1 for Sherpa

 

[DesertRider]

+1 for Sherpa

My understanding for 2016 and newer you have to drop the headliner as there are no captive nuts to mount the roof rack like the 2015 and older

 

[jlm43]

My understanding for 2016 and newer you have to drop the headliner as there are no captive nuts to mount the roof rack like the 2015 and older

Correct. However, you can add the captive nuts while the headliner is down so you never have to drop it again if you need remove the rack in the future. The part number is 63187-60040.

For those vehicles with captive nuts, there really isn't anything to be worried about. Break torque on first bolt, break torque on second, remove both. By "break torque", I mean a half turn or so. Just enough so it's no longer tight. All the horror stories come from people removing one bolt then breaking torque on the second and it spins the paired captive nuts.

 

[Cruiserlab]

Run. From both. I'm kidding, kind of. Sherpa seems like they have great customer service and QC, unlike victory and prinsu. Without getting overly technical, here are my $0.02.

If planning to use the rack a lot, an eezi-awn, base rack, or front runner will be the strongest.

If you want to occasionally use it, and value lightweight and aerodynamics, go for a prinsu-style. Just beware the quantity of hardware makes it prone to issues, unlike the the ones mentioned above that are one piece (K9, base rack) or at least significantly better built (front runner).

 

[Blackwater]

I was after a solid platform (one piece) rack. That left me between the ARB and Eezi-Awn.

I'll second what @Cruiserlab stated above.

I was leaning ARB until reading a few users had slight interference with their tilt sunroof.. That pushed me towards the Eezi-Awn and we have been beyond pleased with it. It's a solid piece..

Not exactly the ones you were asking about OP but worth taking a look!

 

[jlm43]

x3 I agree with @Cruiserlab and @Blackwater.

OP, you mention "canoes" as a plural. What style canoe? You can probably fit two slim racing canoes on a Prinsu style rack but there isn't enough width on those racks to fit more than one of anything else. Also, some racks have a raised lip around the edge with makes it hard to add any bars for extra width. I went with the Rhino Rack Pioneer and have been very happy with it over the last 5 or 6 years.