Front Runner SlimLine II Roof Rack Install

[@osirisfeliz2390]

Your instruction is impressive. I imagine that if you have students and/or children, they have a quality teacher in their lives. Thank you for this, I was going to pay to get it done on my truck and I would have to wait months. I felt I could do it on my own which led me to you. You have given me the confidence that I can do this on my own. Another win for ‘KZbinUniversity’ haha. Much appreciated. Stay blessed.

[@TripSmith]

Well thank you! Glad you enjoyed it and I hope it goes well for you. Not to difficult ;)

[@richardtoombs6068]

seen a few of your videos and so far I love them, I'm 46 and disabled from nerve damage and back problems so I love watching outdoor videos and how to videos, keep up the great work, you definitely have a fan in Tennessee.

[@TripSmith]

Thanks Richard! Glad you found the videos my friend! Hope you enjoy the future ones as well!

[@davids6533]

That's the only rack I've ever seen that I would trust totally. Thanks for sharing that with us!

[@TripSmith]

Yep, I would agree. I like the fact that it's all high quality aluminum so no need to worry about rust and it's lighter weight. You're welcome!

[@bvitale35]

I called a local place today and they said 600$ to install!!!! I’ll be doing it myself thanks for the video man

[@jovanies9751]

Geeezz thats like half the price of one

[@danmallett3281]

11:43 "They say do this part with two people... But I got one." Trip you got nearly 24,000! Love your work man!

[@TripSmith]

Dan Mallett haha! True, almost 24,000 lol Glad you enjoy the videos! more good stuff to come 👍

[@dewarner12]

Excellent video. I am about to install a Front Runner SlimLine II on the cap of my Takoma, Finding this was really timely. Thanks so much for doing this video. I subscribed.

[@Wyatt-zh2ng]

Looks like your cat was having fun in the back ground in a couple shots.LOL

[@TripSmith]

Yep lol She is getting into all my videos here lately. She'll be in Fridays upcoming video as well, Packing while Yakking.

[@theyurivieira]

Found out about Front Runner racks, went to look for a video about it, and of course my favorite youtuber had a video on it, thanks Trip! You’re awesome, keep up with the good work!

[@TripSmith]

Perfect! WIll do!

[@MabrysDad]

Thanks for the how-to on the Front Runner rack. About to get one for my F150 and I feel better about the install.

[@TripSmith]

You're welcome Pops, enjoy it!

[@BrodyToYou]

I just ordered one of these racks for my Rubicon. Front Runner makes some fantastic accessories!

[@TripSmith]

Awesome! Yes they sure do!

[@freddyt86]

I've had a FRO rack on my GX470 for going on 2 years now. Nothing but good things to say. Definitely made a good choice and by now, you've figured that out. Their accessories are fantastic and it's easy to make your own as well.

[@freddyt86]

And, if you're ever in the Mobile area, I'd love to meet up. Recently got a Native Magic and trying to get it out as much as I can.

[@TripSmith]

Yep, loving my FRO rack for sure.... I'm planning on making my own accessories soon, I do like that about it a lot. Mobile? I imagine I'll be down that way eventually.

[@freddyt86]

Good deal. The Delta has plenty to see. Second largest delta in the country, which I didn't know until recently.

[@Andrew-on5do]

Hey I’m looking into this rack for my Gx. How noisy is it?

[@gabriel-ec6gi]

@@Andrew-on5doI just installed it on my GX. There is a slight creaking sound. I’m waiting for the rack to settle and re-tighten. I have a suspicion it’s coming from the lifting blocks/spacers that sit between the side rails and the vehicle roof. They should have made this a single piece, rather than a two piece assembly.

[@gthomps9354]

Was totally distracted when your cat was playing around by the garage

[@TripSmith]

Haha! That thing is getting into all my videos her lately... It's in the coming Friday's video - Packing when you're Yakking!

[@michaelbass8265]

Glad the installation went so smoothly! I also had to put a rack on my old Toyota Tacoma 4 door. I didn't have the shell tho. I'm still waiting on my new 12' Jackson Tupelo to be built, but once it's here I'm ready!

[@TripSmith]

The rack really makes hauling yaks or anything so much easier. Don't get a shell, you'll love it so much you'll never go back ;) Have fun on that sweet yak!

[@michaelbass8265]

Mine was a lot simpler (and probably cheaper). Looking forward to your next paddle video. Once I get my new Yak, I'll test it out on J Percy Priest Lake near Nashville, TN - lots of islands to paddle to and camp.

[@TripSmith]

Gotcha. Have fun camping up there bud. Get Out There!

[@campthusiast965]

Great video! Do you think you could have installed the racks upside down to remove the bucket effect and make it a little more lower profile?

[@TripSmith]

Thanks! Just walked out and looked at it. Looks as if you could, never thought of that!!!

[@PS987654321PS]

Great video. Thank you so much for the installation guidance!

[@caseyholthaus6626]

I would love to know why you got rid of the yak carriers. I just ordered and might return to save some coin if the yaks are secure without the racks and resting directly on the rack.

[@TripSmith]

I just found that they weren't necessary for my uses. If I was carrying a nice touring kayak or a hard BOTE paddleboard (anything that could be really damaged by the metal) then I might have kept them on there. I ended up carrying inflatable paddleboards the vast majority of the time and never needed anything else. I did attach some slim padding with tape to the high points of the rack for a little cushion. With black tape, it blended in really well and still gave me a slim profile. I think I loaded 5 ISUP's on there one day!!! Loved the rack but sold the truck. Wish I had some @frontrunneroutfitters for my new 2021 F150! #frontrunner #frontrunneroutfitters #frontrunnerroofrack

[@caseyholthaus6626]

@@TripSmith thanks for the quick reply! Your video was super helpful as I watch while assembling mine. After reading your comment about not using the kayak rack I thought hey maybe I don’t have to use them and save myself a little over $700. Thanks again for the reply!!

[@truenorth365]

Nice roof rack and really nice Toyota you got there! Always love to watch "tinkering" videos on YT, intresting to watch your progress installing it. Thanks for sharing Trip! (thumbs up)

[@TripSmith]

Thanks Magnus and I'm glad you enjoyed my "tinkering" video! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@neronfrancis6508]

I’m curious to know the weight on that rack compared to a Gobi stealth?And why not a Gobi rack?

[@joshuaberthold2335]

Your cat seems to think your videos need more shenanigans. I agree. And by shenanigans, I mean cats.

[@TripSmith]

Haha! Well the cat is getting more and more comfortable on camera so I'm sure you'll see more of her.

[@ThatGen2Taco]

How's the wind noise affect on the rack if any? Loud whistling?

[@PaulPeck]

You da man Trip! 👊🏻😎

[@TripSmith]

No Paul, You da man! 👊👊👊👊👊

[@SuperBlackheart99]

NIIIIIIIICE!!! I'm so diggin your whole rig Bro'. Next you gotta add some LED auxillary lighting on those racks. Make night launches SMOOOOOOOTH.

[@TripSmith]

Thanks Rude! I'd really like to have some LED's on there.... May have to do that in the near future :)

[@chrisblanchard4938]

The cat was very entertaining.

[@TripSmith]

Ha! Yep, they are fun for sure!

[@ROgletree]

Now that it’s been 3 years are you still happy with this rack? I’m leaning towards this rack for my Wrangler.

[@TripSmith]

Oh yea, love it!

[@bvitale35]

What kind of silicone you use brother?

[@Don-he2zx]

Great looking truck/rig.

[@TripSmith]

Thankya Don!!!! I enjoy having her!

[@firelight70]

I couldn't tell from the video; is the kayak sitting on the rack with the side supports keeping it from tipping, or are the side supports close enough that the kayak is sitting on the supports? I don't have any experience (yet) with loading kayaks, but it seems to me that the kayak should be supported by the supports to better distribute the load. Of course, maybe it's not up there long enough to really matter.

[@TripSmith]

Both, I tried to position the supports so the kayak is being supported by the supports and the rack. Yaks are pretty lightweight so I'm not really concerned. I think it's going to serve me very well.

[@beactivelife]

Cool rack, I have been using the stock rack on my FJ Cruiser but I think I will go with some Thule crossbars soon for hauling my yak. Good video dude

[@TripSmith]

Thanks! I was going to go with Thule or Yakima but decided that the Front Runner stuff was better suited for me. For the money, you can get sign Load Bars from Front Runner with the kayak carriers and it's a good bit cheaper than Thule or Yakima... It's not the actutal large trays, but just the individual slats. Just a thought.

[@yasiraltameemi1427]

Nice work bor, keep it up. I have the SL2 on my FJ, it get noisy when I drive over 40 mph. What is your experience with the wind noise? And do you recomend their wind diflector? Thanks in advance.

[@TripSmith]

I don't really have any wind issues that I can hear (not over my tire noise at least) I do have the wind deflector on and never tried it without so I can't tell ya....

[@brendandoyle3122]

Good video. Quick question, would this rack be difficult/time consuming to remove the rack between trips. The parking at my office is around 2m high and my truck is 1890 high. (Leaving me 110mm clearance.

[@TripSmith]

Thanks Brendan! I would say yes, I wouldn't want to remove it between trips.... They do make slightly lower profile racks that I've seen. Not sure which companies they are but.... The Slim Line isn't the slimmest ;)

[@journeyistheway]

Tip: Before caulking the silicone you should had cleaned the area with acetone to remove all oils or particles for a wayy stronger and better seal.

[@cup_and_cone]

Journey Is The Way - He said he used denatured alcohol.

[@journeyistheway]

thechosendude ahhh, in that case disregard my comment lol... I was doing multiple things while watching the vid and that part mustve slipped by...

[@TripSmith]

Thanks thechosen! I understand parts slipping by ;)

[@nyak63RUS]

Does attaching the track to the canopy void the warranty?

[@TripSmith]

I donno.... Doubt it.

[@BackCountryQuestCanada]

Best Video of all !

[@TripSmith]

Thanks a ton!

[@BackCountryQuestCanada]

What about the wind noise? Is it too bad?

[@smelldawg]

Thanks man - super helpful!!

[@TripSmith]

You're welcome!

[@zachwilson4272]

Nice truck

[@TripSmith]

Thanks Zach!

[@omarismail8585]

do you think you put another kayak on side of it? maybe like two 11 ft kayaks possibly?

[@TripSmith]

Oh yea, for sure! I've had three on there at once.

[@mironccr345]

I want those racks! Nice vid and nice truck!

[@TripSmith]

+mironccr345 Thank you, thank you!

[@AP-lh1bq]

No view of the completed truck at the end....

[@norbertkovacs5879]

Hi good morning, is this the low profile or regular?

[@TripSmith]

Morning! That's the SlimLine II I believe.

[@itr0863]

would front runner be the best roof rack for kayaks, surfboards, camping? i'm looking for an all around rack for my 5th gen 4runner. front runner racks seem to be able to cover all those things.

[@TripSmith]

I think they are super versatile.... But I haven't tried other racks, I do know I like mine though.... It can cover all the bases.

[@itr0863]

i've heard enough. i'm gonna place my order in a few weeks. thanks!@@TripSmith

[@TripSmith]

You're welcome!

[@pjayne100]

Hi , I was wondering if the rack that you installed on your canopy was the one they sell for the canopy or did you just buy two of the tacoma model ones , and used them for the roof and the canopy ?

[@TripSmith]

The racks are the same size, just the brackets are different. The bracket on the camper shell is intended for the camper shell, the other is intended for the Tacoma.

[@MT_Buckets]

You think you'll be able to fit two kayaks side by side? How wide is your kayak?

[@TripSmith]

+delro00 Not lying flat generally.... But in can get 3 up there with straps

[@Papa__Squatch]

Trip I was resourcing this rack and came across another of your great videos. It's been over a year since you installed the rack, how's it holding up?

[@TripSmith]

Like a champ. It just makes things so easy, I love it. It's holding up perfectly though, no complaints.

[@jvm708]

Do they make the attachments for a Thule or Yakima box?

[@TripSmith]

I'm not sure.... But you can attach just about anything to them. I'd ask them.

[@navarredr]

Great video! What model is your ARE camper shell?

[@TripSmith]

Thanks! Pretty sure it is the Z Series.... I bought it used for a heck of price. They are super nice!

[@cup_and_cone]

I'd be curious how much a rack like that affects MPG (without kayak mounted, just the rack). Would love to have a rack strong enough to walk on.

[@TripSmith]

Yea, I'd be curious as well but I'm not to worried. The truck itself doesn't get awesome mileage and I didn't buy it for the gas mileage. So I'm not concerned on how it affected it but I don't think it would effect it to much. I can't hear any wind noise going down the road so I'm thinking it slips through fairly easily.

[@jakebarlow100]

thechosendude ive seen a general max of around 3mpg on the ones ive looked at and often lower, but loading it with stuff thats got bad wind resistence (how its loaded can be a lot to do with it) can often add that much or more again

[@TripSmith]

+thechosendude Being able to stand on it is an extra bonus for sure. Makes things so easy to strap down

[@MakinHicks]

Sweet rack man. Been hauling kayaks a long time. Never seen straps quite like those. How are they working out? You confident in them?

[@TripSmith]

Thanks Jared! I haven't seen straps like them either. I was hesitant honestly at first but the I got to thinking about the physics of them and the kayak. I realized that there really is no way of the kayak coming off the racks so I'm not worried at all. I was the more confident than I've ever been driving with them.

[@rrvallance]

Thanks for the video, good job. Do you haver any photos or video of your rack system with the kayaks on the truck.

[@TripSmith]

+Blues at the Bohm Thanks Blues! What would you like to see? I'll make you one ;)

[@kgbreviews35]

Any issues with leaks?

[@TripSmith]

Not a 1! Where it mounts on the tacoma are factory mounts so they shouldn't leak.

[@samhines3582]

i-love-your-truck

[@TripSmith]

Haha, thanks Sam, I love her to!

[@wilsontran1943]

How much you buy roof rack slimline

[@TripSmith]

Can't recall, look on their website ;)

[@ThePranayamaMan]

Super helpful. Thanks

[@TripSmith]

Glad you enjoyed it Asher!

[@oliverdurkin-cinematograph2693]

Thanks for sharing. Great!

[@TripSmith]

You're welcome Oliver!

[@brettw3544]

do you know if the rack will mount on the factory rails on my ARE cap?

[@TripSmith]

Yes sir it will!

[@iaminbetweendays]

Thanks.

[@TripSmith]

You're welcome!

[@foggyfpv82]

Great video, and nice rack! One small criticism....where the hell is the wide shot to show what it looks like after the install!?! ;) I guess I'll have to search your other videos for the wide shot.

[@TripSmith]

+Foggy FPV Ha! Good question... I guess I should have included that huh? My bad

[@erickincaid9779]

"Tighten down these nuts!"

[@TripSmith]

+Eric Kincaid haha!

[@joapps8135]

how do u like the rack after a year of use? how about the kayak holder?

[@TripSmith]

LOVE the rack! Don't use the kayak holders any more. I just strap the kayak down on the rack with no padding.... Although I have thought about adding a bit of padding but haven't done it. not seeing any damage to the rack or kayaks yet so.... It's working! I really like having it though.... Much easier than a trailer and I still have the back of the truck for gear.

[@dougwhitlow5240]

@@TripSmith Great video...curious though why don't you use the kayak holders anymore, and what do you use now instead?

[@-_AjB_-]

What happened to your woodworking videos?

[@TripSmith]

Well, they aren't near as fun as kayak camping and related videos ;) Plus there are lots of big woodworkers out there and not many kayak campers. I enjoy it a lot more.

[@johnnyb395]

I know what you mean Trip, I used to be an avid woodwoorker until I got a kayak; 6 years ago. My tablesaw hasn't been used much since.

[@tylerlivingston7631]

Never been this early

[@TripSmith]

Shpee Whoa! that's a record!

[@needyeasyrapsgetto2333]

Too bad I don't have a truck yet😭😭😂

[@needyeasyrapsgetto2333]

good video

[@TripSmith]

Thanks Fresh! Keep grinding, you'll get there.

[@WarriorBuddhist]

second

[@TripSmith]

Haha! Well done!

[@paulmata5056]

Caveman installation WTF?!

[@TripSmith]

Um, sure?