Trailrax roof rack installed. Initial thoughts.

[nikkdoes]

So I want to start by saying I like the @TrailRax rack and I'm glad it's the one I went with. But here are my honest thoughts after installing it today.

As soon as I saw the photos/specs I joined the pre-order. Trailrax claimed their install prices didn't require dropping the headliner. Since they were being very tight-lipped about the instructions, I assumed it wouldn't actually be that different than other brand. Saying "the headliner doesn't need to be dropped" is an exaggeration at best.

Install took me about 4 hours so far. My box skipped with one less crossbar (this doesn't bother me, it's pretty common for the first shipment to be a little off), so I'm waiting for that before I put Loctite on everything and add the wind deflector. I'm expecting another hour for all that.

There were no instructions in the box, nor the website. I had to find their YouTube channel, where they waited to post the video almost the exact same time my box arrived. Here's the link: Instructions.

It feels really solid. I like the idea of customizing the logo cut out. I threw on some green tape I had for now. It's as low profile as it can be with that shark fin on the roof. The canopy makes these pictures pretty bad. I'm post new pictures when I get the last part.

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[pmontague1968]

So I'm installing this week. Video looked pretty straightforward and they told me via phone to expect about 2.5 hours for install. Can you tell me about any obstacles you came across that caused your install to take so much longer? Thanks!

So I want to start by saying I like the @TrailRax rack and I'm glad it's the one I went with. But here are my honest thoughts after installing it today.

As soon as I saw the photos/specs I joined the pre-order. Trailrax claimed their install prices didn't require dropping the headliner. Since they were being very tight-lipped about the instructions, I assumed it wouldn't actually be that different than other brand. Saying "the headliner doesn't need to be dropped" is an exaggeration at best.

Install took me about 4 hours so far. My box skipped with one less crossbar (this doesn't bother me, it's pretty common for the first shipment to be a little off), so I'm waiting for that before I put Loctite on everything and add the wind deflector. I'm expecting another hour for all that.

There were no instructions in the box, nor the website. I had to find their YouTube channel, where they waited to post the video almost the exact same time my box arrived. Here's the link: Instructions.

It feels really solid. I like the idea of customizing the logo cut out. I threw on some green tape I had for now. It's as low profile as it can be with that shark fin on the roof. The canopy makes these pictures pretty bad. I'm post new pictures when I get the last part.

 

[BHunted1]

Looks good.... Does it come with that great big umbrella?

 

[MidnightSpecial]

I installed mine too! I feel the install was pretty simple. Just have to be careful and take your time. I really like the way it looks.

 

[nikkdoes]

So I'm installing this week. Video looked pretty straightforward and they told me via phone to expect about 2.5 hours for install. Can you tell me about any obstacles you came across that caused your install to take so much longer? Thanks!

I was definitely taking my time. But two big hurdles:
1) Getting to those bolts is a nightmare even after you loosen all the panels.
2) The clips that hold on the panels aren't always reusable. The video makes it seem like you can just pop them right onto the plastic, but that wasn't my experience. The two clips for the driver seatbelt pillar bent beyond repair. So now I'm waiting on new clips to finish this.

 

[nikkdoes]

I installed mine too! I feel the install was pretty simple. Just have to be careful and take your time. I really like the way it looks.

Did you have any issues getting the clips back onto the plastic? I had a really hard time with those.

 

[MidnightSpecial]

Did you have any issues getting the clips back onto the plastic? I had a really hard time with those.

Just the front drive A-Pillar was kind of a pain. The rest were fairly easy. I will say that the metal clips on some of the tabs came off when I first pulled the panels off. I had to remove them from the truck and place them back on the clips. Not sure if you noticed that.

The clips look like this:

 

[Doc]

I installed mine too! I feel the install was pretty simple. Just have to be careful and take your time. I really like the way it looks.

Nice Truck !

 

[Cutthroat0826]

I installed mine too! I feel the install was pretty simple. Just have to be careful and take your time. I really like the way it looks.

Looks really good man, light bar looks awesome. Which bed rack is that?

 

[Cutthroat0826]

So I want to start by saying I like the @TrailRax rack and I'm glad it's the one I went with. But here are my honest thoughts after installing it today.

As soon as I saw the photos/specs I joined the pre-order. Trailrax claimed their install prices didn't require dropping the headliner. Since they were being very tight-lipped about the instructions, I assumed it wouldn't actually be that different than other brand. Saying "the headliner doesn't need to be dropped" is an exaggeration at best.

Install took me about 4 hours so far. My box skipped with one less crossbar (this doesn't bother me, it's pretty common for the first shipment to be a little off), so I'm waiting for that before I put Loctite on everything and add the wind deflector. I'm expecting another hour for all that.

There were no instructions in the box, nor the website. I had to find their YouTube channel, where they waited to post the video almost the exact same time my box arrived. Here's the link: Instructions.

It feels really solid. I like the idea of customizing the logo cut out. I threw on some green tape I had for now. It's as low profile as it can be with that shark fin on the roof. The canopy makes these pictures pretty bad. I'm post new pictures when I get the last part.

Awesome man, can’t wait to see it finished & without canopy overhead… I’ve never installed a roof rack before so… pls post everything & solutions lol

 

[MidnightSpecial]

Looks really good man, light bar looks awesome. Which bed rack is that?

Thanks man! UpTop Overland mid rack

 

[pmontague1968]

A couple of questions... When you pop the black gutter piece out, is it a slight tug or does it take a bit of prying? Not sure if there is some type of sealant I should be aware of or just the bolts holding it down. Also, can you cut pieces of it and reattach somehow after installing the rack for a more finished look?

Lastly, how or where do you attach the light bar after the rack is installed. I got the cutout fairing and I don't see any specific attachment points on the side rails to attach the light bar? I assume the light bar attaches flush to the crossbars of the rack? Thanks!

 

[nikkdoes]

A couple of questions... When you pop the black gutter piece out, is it a slight tug or does it take a bit of prying? Not sure if there is some type of sealant I should be aware of or just the bolts holding it down. Also, can you cut pieces of it and reattach somehow after installing the rack for a more finished look?

Lastly, how or where do you attach the light bar after the rack is installed. I got the cutout fairing and I don't see any specific attachment points on the side rails to attach the light bar? I assume the light bar attaches flush to the crossbars of the rack? Thanks!

- My gutter pieces came off pretty easy, but there is some glue holding it down. I started from the back because that edge came up easiest, then I just lifted slowed but forcefully until it popped. The glue leaves behind some black residue. I scrapped off what I could and tried goo gone, but there's still some spots left. Good news is I don't think I'll notice it.

- I was also thinking I would cut and glues pieces to fill the gutter back in. But now that it's done, I think it looks totally fine. I'll keep the gutters for a while, just in case I change my mind.

- I don't have a lightbar, but I would assume it would attach to the crossbar with t-slot nuts.

 

[Cutthroat0826]

I installed mine too! I feel the install was pretty simple. Just have to be careful and take your time. I really like the way it looks.

Dude, you see these guys asking about how to get the light bar on? Do you mind telling us how you got the lightbar on there etc? Thanks man

 

[pmontague1968]

I got mine installed and added a lightbar.

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