Overland and Off-Road Roof Racks: Why Your Rig Needs One

Why Do I Need a Roof Rack?

Whether you’re a weekend adventurer or avid overlander, it is very likely that you have considered the addition of a roof rack to your off-road build. While incorporating a roof rack to your setup is not generally considered necessary, it has a wide range of benefits that can overall improve your experience when out on the trail. Roof racks provide a diverse set of storage capabilities, allowing you to optimize and expand your vehicle’s available space. With a large selection of roof racks on the market, it’s important to know what makes a rack suitable for the trail environment, so let’s take a deep dive on the capabilities and features to look for in an overland rack.

What Roof Rack is the Best Option for my Vehicle?

When searching for an overland roof rack, it is important to distinguish ordinary racks from ones designed to handle rough trails and extreme weather. In order to accomplish this, it is imperative to take a close look at each rack’s key features. First and foremost, you want to ensure that your potential roof rack can accommodate the weight of your heavy overland gear such as roof top tents, cargo boxes, water tanks, and other hefty equipment. Racks designed to withstand a lot of weight will either offer double walled side panels or steel mounting feet. Look for these keywords in order to ensure the rack can reliably hold the weight of your off-road supplies.

Additionally, a key feature in an overland rack is a low-profile fitment, so you can minimize wind noise while maintaining a sleek styling. This is especially important for those who daily drive their off-road rig.

Another key indicator of an overland rack that is often overlooked, is its ability to mount lighting provisions. Overland specific roof racks, such as our Spec Series Roof Rack, offer front fairing variations, so you can choose between a smooth fairing for noise reduction or a pocket fairing for securing a light bar or pod lights for enhanced visibility. Additionally, you should also look for racks that offer side mounts for securing scene lighting when at camp or navigating a trail in the dark. Some, like DV8’s Roof Racks, even provide rear light mounts for backup lighting. Visibility is paramount when off-road, and a great way to enhance your lighting options are with the roof rack you secure to your rig.

What Should I Mount to My Roof Rack?

Now to the most important function of a roof rack - storage! For those that live life out on the trail, you need a rack that can not only handle your necessary gear, but can also keep it secure. Major benefits of an overland roof rack are integrated T-slots, M6 slots, and other integrated mounts along the cross bars that allow you to secure a wide range of gear and accessories. High-end racks also provide slots along the side panels for quick access to shovels, axes, and other tools. From RotopaX containers to traction boards to roof top tents, roof racks provide the storage you need to have a successful outdoor adventure.

Will a Roof Rack Handle Rough Terrain?

Depending on the roof rack you choose, some will remain rattle-free when off-road, while others will shift making lots of noise and potentially damaging your roof. Key traits to look for in an overland specific rack are a substantial number of cross bars to ensure the roof rack structure doesn’t tweak or flex with added weight or uneven terrain. Additionally, it is always important to take a peak at the provided install guide, so you not only have an idea of what is required for the install process, but also how the rack is secured to your roof to ensure adequate stability. Another  good indicator of a rack’s capability to handle rough trails is the material it is constructed from.

What Material is Best for a Roof Rack?

When it comes to vehicle upgrades, not only is strength an important factor, but weight is also a serious consideration. For roof racks, we recommend searching for racks that are made from aluminum. This ensures that the added weight is minimized without sacrificing the strength needed to keep your overland supplies secure. Steel racks add too much weight to your roof, leaving a small window for the heavy gear you need to add to it. Other materials that are lightweight can be too brittle and bend under the weight of added equipment. Aluminum provides the perfect combination of strength and weight, so you can protect your roof while comfortably mounting all the gear you need.

Will an Off-Road Roof Rack Withstand Harsh Weather Conditions?

When scoping out a hardy roof rack, we recommend looking into the powder coat that comes with it. Unfortunately, some racks feature a slim powder coat layer that can easily be scratched off, or it flakes off over time due to rain and sun exposure. Luckily, not all racks are equipped with low-grade coating. For instance, our Spec Series Racks feature a heavy-duty powder coat that is designed and tested to hold up against the constant abuse from rain, mud, heat, snow, and even salt. With a resilient exterior coating, your rack will not only last to tell the tales of your adventures, but it will also stay sharp and clean for years to come.

What is Compatible with my Roof Rack?

Once you’ve decided on the roof rack for your build, the fun part begins - mounting your gear and accessories! When it comes to securing your equipment, there are certain types of supplies that aren’t so straightforward to mount, such as axes and shovels. An easy upgrade to your rack setup are Rago Fabrication’s Quick Fist Mounts. You can easily secure these to either the cross bars or side panels for quick access to your recovery gear. Additionally, storage boxes such as ROAM’s Rugged Cases provide a durable and convenient upgrade to your rack for storing a wide range of camping and overland accessories. They are especially useful for securing gear that you don’t want to be exposed to the outside environment.

While the main function of your rack is storage, there are various ways to add extra utility for enhanced functionality. For instance, accessing your rack can be difficult, especially if your rig is lifted, which is why we designed the Roof Rack Handles. They perfectly integrated to the sides of your rack for a secure hand hold when retrieving or placing gear on your rack. You can also add lights to the front, rear, or sides for enhanced visibility and scene lighting when at camp. No matter what you mount, a solid roof rack provides the utility you need for a great trip down the trail.

Why Should I Choose a DV8 Roof Rack?

Now that you know the important features to look for in a roof rack, it’s time to decide on which one is the perfect addition to your build. DV8’s roof racks are designed with heavy off-road and overland use in mind. Not only do they feature a premium powder coat and lots of mounting capabilities, but they also are engineered to withstand rough terrain and the added weight from your off-road gear. Firstly, they provide a dual-layer design with an aluminum base and steel accent backing on the side panels for extra rigidity, as well as a sleek styling. Additionally, the 5mm steel mounting feet confidently withstand the weight from your supplies, so you can add all the equipment you need to your rack without having to worry about stability. Lastly, the rack features extruded 6063-T6 aluminum cross bars that are placed every 10-inches to ensure it supports your gear with ease. Best of all, the rack’s low-profile design allows for a trim look when not in use - providing the best of both worlds. It is currently available for the 6th Gen 4Runner, 4th Gen Tacoma, Land Cruiser 250 Series, and GX 550.