Roof Rack Accessories:Favorites, Unusual, Most Used

[poppe]

Well boys and girls, I finally join the big leagues with my very own roof rack.

Talk to me, what’s your favorite, most used, and even unique roof rack accessories that you use and are running?

Bonus points for unique or unusual attachments/accessories.

 

[Sandroad]

It won’t win your bonus points, but the Thule Portage Canoe Carrier is my favorite to date for stock cross bars. Super stable way to carry my big Wenonah canoe.

 

[Julian73]

Mini Starlink dishy, mounts for 2nd spare, fuel jerry can and storage boxes. Nothing unusual. Just out there today trying to figure out where to put a shovel mount.

 

[prharper]

I keep 2 Maxtrax recovery boards up there, year round using homemade mounts. Starlink flat panel dish is seasonal. I have a folding Weboost RV antenna mounted but never use it since having Starlink.

Have not used/mounted my Rhino batwing awning on the rack in the last 2-3 seasons. Using Moonshade when needed instead or there is usually someone else in my group with an awning. I have been using a Tuff Stuff shower when camping, takes less than 5 minutes to install/remove.

Mounted Shower Tent Enclosure, 42x42 Inches

A mountable shower tent that will stay put and not stick to you during windy conditions. Attaches to your existing roof rack and...

tuffstuffoverland.com

I have some random Front Runner accessories on my Prinsu rack. Used the original FR Woolfpack Pro mounts with their boxes and then they came out with a new improved version of the mounts. Was reluctant to upgrade but I did. For extended trips, I will add the two FR Woolfpack Pro boxes and secure with their updated mounting hardware. Takes a few mins and they are secured and ready to go. Dang FR mounts cost as much as the storage boxes but they make it easy to quickly secure and/or remove. Great for bulky items. See pick below, I leave the bottom portion of the mounts on year round. Simply drop boxes in, lock down and head out.

Oh forgot about the light bar and camp scene lights on each side. Got some Baja Designs amber lights for Christmas that I plan to mount on the rear of the rack for backing up at camp, scene lights and use as chase lights during group rides on dusty conditions which I saw plenty of this past season in CO, VA and TN.

 

[TheIcemanCometh]

Bonus points for unique or unusual attachments/accessories.

Do the Aunt Edna attachments count?

 

[poppe]

It won’t win your bonus points, but the Thule Portage Canoe Carrier is my favorite to date for stock cross bars. Super stable way to carry my big Wenonah canoe.

Those are sweet. I had never heard of those, but now I want a damn canoe.

 

[poppe]

I keep 2 Maxtrax recovery boards up there, year round using homemade mounts. Starlink flat panel dish is seasonal. I have a folding Weboost RV antenna mounted but never use it since having Starlink.

Have not used/mounted my Rhino batwing awning on the rack in the last 2-3 seasons. Using Moonshade when needed instead or there is usually someone else in my group with an awning. I have been using a Tuff Stuff shower when camping, takes less than 5 minutes to install/remove.

Mounted Shower Tent Enclosure, 42x42 Inches

A mountable shower tent that will stay put and not stick to you during windy conditions. Attaches to your existing roof rack and...

tuffstuffoverland.com

I have some random Front Runner accessories on my Prinsu rack. Used the original FR Woolfpack Pro mounts with their boxes and then they came out with a new improved version of the mounts. Was reluctant to upgrade but I did. For extended trips, I will add the two FR Woolfpack Pro boxes and secure with their updated mounting hardware. Takes a few mins and they are secured and ready to go. Dang FR mounts cost as much as the storage boxes but they make it easy to quickly secure and/or remove. Great for bulky items. See pick below, I leave the bottom portion of the mounts on year round. Simply drop boxes in, lock down and head out.

View attachment 3803123

Oh forgot about the light bar and camp scene lights on each side. Got some Baja Designs amber lights for Christmas that I plan to mount on the rear of the rack for backing up at camp, scene lights and use as chase lights during group rides on dusty conditions which I saw plenty of this past season in CO, VA and TN.

Do the max traxx start to degrade on the roof out in the sun?

How are you running/controlling all your lights? I really want to get some lights on the side and the back to get things illuminated around the camp site and where I park my car which is very very dark.

Do the Aunt Edna attachments count?

View attachment 3803203

Always! It ain’t cheap getting family home these days.

 

[prharper]

Do the max traxx start to degrade on the roof out in the sun?

How are you running/controlling all your lights? I really want to get some lights on the side and the back to get things illuminated around the camp site and where I park my car which is very very dark.



Always! It ain’t cheap getting family home these days.

Valid point on the Maxtrax in the sun.
According to them:
The material we make MAXTRAX from includes a UV-stabilisers that protect them from damage by the sun's UV rays, however if they are permanently stored in the sun the colour will eventually start to fade after a few years or so and, like anything left exposed to the sun for long periods, they will eventually start to degrade and lose their ductility, so storing them out of the sun when not in use will prolong their longevity.

I have another set of Maxtrax in my garage that I throw on before hitting trails. But, I probably should take the other 2 off the roof when I'm not planning any trips for a bit.


The lighting is controlled by a Switch Pro, control panel mounted in the sunglass holder.

 

[poppe]

Valid point on the Maxtrax in the sun.
According to them:
The material we make MAXTRAX from includes a UV-stabilisers that protect them from damage by the sun's UV rays, however if they are permanently stored in the sun the colour will eventually start to fade after a few years or so and, like anything left exposed to the sun for long periods, they will eventually start to degrade and lose their ductility, so storing them out of the sun when not in use will prolong their longevity.

I have another set of Maxtrax in my garage that I throw on before hitting trails. But, I probably should take the other 2 off the roof when I'm not planning any trips for a bit.


The lighting is controlled by a Switch Pro, control panel mounted in the sunglass holder.

How you like the switch pros

 

[COLXS]

Thule ski box, WeBoost antenna, and a cargo basket

 

[prharper]

How you like the switch pros

Love it. Reliable, zero issues and no regrets.

 

[poppe]

Love it. Reliable, zero issues and no regrets.

Nice. I need to research them to get that going and get all the wiring broken out so I know how I want it.

 

[TimCFJ40]

I love the look of the platform style racks unloaded, but I think I'd miss the overhanging width of 78" Yakima Load bars for carrying boats and bikes. They're also super easy to take on and off when not needed.

Our boat free setup is usually a Yakima awning and Thule load box mounted to 8020 crossbars. These would work great on your rack. We can put the whole family's camping gear in the load box to free up space inside for other stuff. It'll hold skis and paddling gear very nicely also. I underestimated how much we would use the box until I had it.

 

[poppe]

I love the look of the platform style racks unloaded, but I think I'd miss the overhanging width of 78" Yakima Load bars for carrying boats and bikes. They're also super easy to take on and off when not needed.
View attachment 3803776
Our boat free setup is usually a Yakima awning and Thule load box mounted to 8020 crossbars. These would work great on your rack. We can put the whole family's camping gear in the load box to free up space inside for other stuff. It'll hold skis and paddling gear very nicely also. I underestimated how much we would use the box until I had it.

View attachment 3803783

Wow what a setup! We are eyeing a thule box when REI has another garage sale