Yakima Lock n Load Roof Rack

[The Davi]

I know all the posts about the Lock n Load racks are pretty old but curious if anyone has any updates. I like the Rhino/Yakima/Front Runner style platform rack but have an issue with the Rhino extrusions running parallel to the roof as they would fully block the sunroof. Does the Yakima Lock n Load require all the crossbars to be installed? Is it possible to leave an opening for the sunroof?
Maybe I should just go Gamiviti but wish it was aluminum.

so many options...analysis paralysis!

 

[RiparianJoe]

I will add to my post by sharing my results with noise control. The racks were very loud out of the gate.

Firstly, I drove the car up to 75mph and took my time to get there so I could pick up what was happening at what speed. For me, I picked up a low tone pulsing sound from the racks at 35mph. This continued all the way up to 75mph.

I first wrapped 1/4" cord 6x around the front bar. This helped a bit, but the sound was still there. I then wrap it 6x more times...FIXED!

Though once the pulse sound went away I picked up a whistling sound from 30-45mph only. This was solved by installing Yakima HD crossbars rubber strip on the bottom of the bars...FIXED!

Hope this helps anyone that wants to install these!

Awesome post, and awesome solution! Curious - do you have these mounted at the lowest setting? I'm planning to do the same thing as you've done here, and hoping I can go a little lower - will help me getting canoes up there as a short person. Thanks!

 

[KR7]

Awesome post, and awesome solution! Curious - do you have these mounted at the lowest setting? I'm planning to do the same thing as you've done here, and hoping I can go a little lower - will help me getting canoes up there as a short person. Thanks!

The back is at the lowest setting because the back is higher than the front. I set the front and back crossbars first. I then put a straight edge to bridge over the two crossbars and the middle was adjusted to "touch" the straight edge. Perfectly planar across.

I have been incredibly happy with this setup and have no desire for anything else (thule carrier is on one side, paddle boards stacked on the other.) Awesome!

 

[NearJetties]

I’m in the process of doing a similar setup with Gamiviti towers and FrontRunner load bars. Need to take care of the middle bar still—haven’t had time to deal with the rusted bolts from the stock rack yet.

 

[bgriest]

Hey gang, sorry for the delayed reply on the install. I finally got my truck back and installed the rack.
Assembly of the Yakima Lock N'Load platform took me about an hour total. I watched their install video in advance and that was really a cinch in making the assembly go quickly. The platform ships in several pieces, but they are extremely well organized, and the extrusions are designed so that it really only goes together "one way".

Once assembled, I used a friend to help get it on the roof and position it. Because the Yakima system is adjustable, it is easy to get it up on the roof mounts and then play with fitment and position. The adjustment and attachment are pretty clever as it lets you both get perfect positioning as well as mount it on multiple vehicles. I have the Platform K which is their smallest and is perfect for double-cabs (like my tacoma) or any other pickup/small roof setup. This vs the other one's I've looked at where each vehicle needs a specific platform and kit due to the lack of adjustment. Not so here - easy on, easy off.

For the Toyota, I was able to use the existing fixed points on the roof. Anything 80-series LC and newer has fixed points on the roof in the Toyota Library currently including 4Runners, Sequoia's, Tacomas and of Course 100/200 LC's. You just need remove the existing wimpy factory rack to access these high-strength fixed attachment points. I used the Yakima LP22 (Landing Pad 22), and just added a set of 55mm stainless M10 bolts to attach them to my truck's roof.

The Lock N'Load is everything the reviews about it said: strong (400-600lbs), lightweight, low profile, versatile, and useful as a traditional sport rack thanks to the slats running like crossbars... this lets it work with all of my existing boat/bike/cargo accessories from Yakima/Thule etc... yes, it even works with other brand's stuff... and if you have T-slot accessories go for it - this this is loaded with slotting options and mounting points.

Pics below. Hit me with questions. My friends at Yakima said it is hitting their website by this weekend...

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I've dug into the roof box on a flat rack before and replied on another post with my experience, but just came across this one as I'm looking into a new box. From what I see Yakima recently changed their box design to sit lower to the vehicle, aka recessed crossbar attachments. If the box isn't flat on the bottom it doesn't work on a platform style rack. Does Yakima make an adapter to put their new style box on the Lock and Load? Seems pretty short sighted if they didn't. Thule has the Caprock system which is similar, but they came out with an adapter recently to run their roofbox. I've had a Skybox for years mainly because I can run it on my Prinsu. It has a flat bottom. Last year the valet crunched it in their parking garage when we were at a hotel for a wedding. Now I'm checking out my options. Thanks for anyone else's experience with recessed crossbar attachments and platform roof racks.