Are you looking for Toyota RAV4 roof racks for carrying all your favorite outdoor sports equipment? The factory-installed roof racks may be great for smaller equipment. But, if you are an adventure enthusiast who loves to go, say kayaking every week, there are several different options that you can consider for this upgrade.
To equip you all the needed knowledge, I’m reviewing a few roof racks that are compatible with your RAV4. And yeah, I’m not forgetting, the installation cost. So, without a further ado, let’s get started!
Roof Type
Before purchasing a roof rack, you will first have to check the type of roof rack your RAV4 has. This is factory-installed and comes in two types:
- Flush rails
- Raised rails
Understanding which roof rack your RAV4 has is important to discern which upgrade you should purchase. For example, if you have raised rails on your Woodland Edition trim, you need to opt for raised rails as an upgrade.
Rack Type
Another thing to consider when buying a roof rack for your 2025 RAV4 is the type of roof rack.
To start, you’ll need a crossbar. Crossbars are rarely used alone to carry things, but they should be used to mount racks particularly designed for what you want to carry.
Consider what kind of gear you want to carry. If you want to carry a kayak, you may need different equipment than if you want to carry a ski. Find out what components you’ll need before you buy a rack. You may need first to have an idea of what to carry. This may include a luggage carrier, skis, surfboard, kayak rack, roof basket, and so on.
Brands for Toyota RAV4 Roof Racks
There are a couple of popular brand options in the market for purchasing quality roof racks. I am mentioning these below:
- Thule: Thule is a popular brand known for its durable and innovative designs.
- Yakima: The Yakima roof racks are high quality and versatile. They can also fit all Toyota vehicles and can be purchased from Toyota dealerships due to their partnership.
- Rhino-Rack: Rhino Rack offers budget-friendly and reliable options for quality roof racks as well.
When purchasing roof racks from these companies, make sure you purchase those products that have a high customer rating and are compatible with your RAV4.
If these brands seem too new to you, you can opt for OEM Toyota cross bars and roof racks for 2025 RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, and Plug-In Hybrid. This way you can be sure of the quality and secure fitting.
Tips for Choosing the Best Roof Racks
Now that you are aware of all of the popular brands that make compatible roof racks, let’s see how you can decide which to purchase. Here are a few details to keep in mind before making the purchase:
- Strength of materials: Opt for materials that are either aluminum or steel as these metals are strong and durable.
- Weather resistance: Make sure the racks are weather resistant and versatile as these are outside of the car and more exposed to the weather.
- Compatibility: Ensure the racks are designed to fit vehicles with preinstalled roof rails or crossbars and can specifically fit the RAV4.
- Weight capacity: The roof racks you choose should be able to hold the amount of weight that you expect to load on them.
Benefits of Roof Racks
There are a few benefits of upgrading your roof racks, as this accessory can be quite helpful for increasing your RAV4’s loading capacity. Here are the perks of this upgrade:
- Increased cargo space: The items that you would otherwise put in the cargo area can be adjusted on the top of the vehicle, leaving more space for luggage inside.
- Convenience for outdoor adventure: The roof racks are great for carrying around many different sporting equipment, making them a great plus for outdoor pleasure seekers.
- Improved space for passengers: With bulky items secured on the roof, the passengers inside can enjoy more room by pulling the rear seats down.
Weight limit
Your roof can only carry a particular amount of weight. This is affected by both the RAV4’s maximum roof load capacity and the load capacity of the roof rack itself.
Make sure the roof and crossbars can support the weight you want to carry.
This roof rack is useful because it can support more than a traditional RAV4 roof rack (up to 176 pounds). This is due to the additional mounting points added along the side rails. This helps distribute the weight slightly more evenly across the roof increasing its maximum capacity.
For more information on the topic on our blog, RAV4’s roof rack weight limit and safety.
Installation
If you plan on installing your roof rack yourself, you’ll want something easy to install. Some are removable; however, others may be considered semi-permanent. Read reviews to see if you can install it yourself.
If you wish to install them yourself, make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions well and keep a wrench or screwdriver with you. Also, double-check the fittings with a possible test drive to ensure a secure fitting.
Alternatively, if you are not sure about how to install these, you may take them to a mechanic to help you out.
Fuel efficiency
Roof racks create drag for your vehicle and therefore affect fuel economy. This is something to consider when choosing a roof rack for your 2025 RAV4. Additionally, some are more noisy than others.
Fortunately, most 2025 RAV4 roof racks are designed with aerodynamics in mind. However, you may benefit from adding a windshield to further improve aerodynamics.
Warranties
After purchasing a new roof rack, you want to know if it comes with a warranty. All reputable brands offer warranties, but there may be exceptions. Be sure to read the description before choosing the brand you want.
Disadvantages of Roof Racks
Roof racks can slightly increase fuel consumption This is because they increase the wind resistance of a vehicle. This means there is more air to cut through and therefore more fuel needed to bring the force to do so.
Safety
Safety is always a top priority, especially when transporting items on your roof. Items that are not properly secured can pose a danger to others on the road. This means that the safety of others is your responsibility. Be mindful of this while loading items on your roof.
FAQs
Can we install roof racks on the Toyota RAV4?
Yes, you can install a roof rack on the models with roof rails like the XLE, XLE Premium, and higher models that make it easy to add a roof rack.
For the base models that don't come with roof rails, like the RAV4 LE, you first need to install aftermarket roof rails; after that, you can add a roof rack.
What is the weight capacity of all the Toyota RAV4 roof rails?
The weight-carrying capacity of the Toyota RAV4 roof rails is different for different models. Models for 2001 to 2005 have a capacity of 75 pounds (34 kg), while 2006 to 2012 have 102.7 pounds (46.2 kg). 2013 to 2018 models can hold 101.9 pounds (46.2 kg), whereas 2019 to 2025 can carry up to 176.4 pounds (80 kg).
What are the benefits of a roof rack?
A roof rack provides an additional storage space that allows you to carry many items, including suitcases, ladders, firewood, camping gear, etc. By doing so, you can free up the internal storage of your vehicle, making the driver more comfortable and organized.
Does the roof rack block the sunroof?
If the roof rack is a large size or is installed too close to the sunroof, then it might block your view or interfere with the sunroof from fully opening. However, the brands mentioned in the article account for this and therefore make sure that the racks don’t cover the sunroof.
What is the difference between roof bars and roof racks?
Roof bars are crossbars that move along the roof of your car and are used to hold things, including
bikes, snowboards, or cargo boxes. Conversely, the roof rack comes with both roof bars and extra frames that offer more security to carry larger items.
Sources
You may check the following sources to find more information on roof racks:
Conclusion
Upgrading the Toyota RAV4 roof racks is a good idea for enhancing the overall storage capacity of your vehicle. The benefits of this upgrade are plenty, ranging from being able to carry your bicycle to having enough legroom for rear passengers.
While purchasing the equipment, be mindful of the quality of the material, compatibility, versatility, and durability. You may find good products on Thule, Yakima, Rhino-rack, and, of course, Toyota itself.
You may opt to install these yourself or go to a certified mechanic to help you out. Either way, you choose, I hope the upgrade is great for you. Happy upgrading!