iKamper is making a major push with its all-new Raconteur roof and bed rack line-up.
Currently available for 3rd Gen Toyota Tacoma (2005+) and 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner (2010-2024), the Raconteur modular eco-system of roof and bed rack accessories will include rear window accessory panels, wind deflector light bars, awning brackets and more, which iKamper aims to release in the near future.
With its latest Raconteur racks, iKamper promises a strong foundation for gear-heavy overlanders. Engineered with a focus on strength and utility, this low-profile roof rack provides a robust and versatile foundation seamlessly integrating with iKamper’s roof top tents (RTTs) and a variety of after-market accessories.
They designed to fit perfectly along the lines of the vehicle, maintaining a low profile that enhances the vehicle’s look without adding unnecessary bulk or height.
Design & Modularity
The Raconteur Roof Rack features a durable steel frame paired with T-channeled aluminum cross bars, combining the best of both materials. This design ensures a solid yet lightweight structure capable of withstanding dynamic loads of up to 1,000 lbs and static loads of 400 lbs. This means whether you’re cruising down the highway or parked at a scenic overlook, the Raconteur can handle the demands of your adventure gear.
Stainless steel hardware and a textured powder coat finish not only enhance the rack’s aesthetic appeal but also offer superior corrosion resistance. This thoughtful construction ensures that the roof rack will look great and function flawlessly over many years of rugged use.
The modular design of the Raconteur rack allows for extensive customization. The T-channeled aluminum cross bars facilitate easy attachment of various accessories, from additional cargo boxes and bike racks to solar panels and awnings. This flexibility means you can tailor your 4Runner to suit any adventure, whether it’s a weekend camping trip or a month-long overland expedition.
RTT Compatibility and Mounting
One of the standout features of the Raconteur Roof Rack is its compatibility with all iKamper roof top tents, including the BDV model, which requires “Lift Up” brackets. The custom brackets make mounting an RTT straightforward, offering a secure and stable setup for your sleeping quarters.
Unboxing & First Impressions
We recently received an early-release sample Raconteur roof rack from iKamper to install on a friend’s 2016 Toyota 4Runner. We unboxed the rack and found that the parts looked very well-made out of sturdy materials. We really like that it comes with stainless steel hardware. The parts were well-protected and wrapped up very securely.
A Few Hiccups
We’ll first point out that we received an early sample of the Raconteur so it’s hard to say if the few hiccups we ran into run across the board or were limited to our sample roof rack. There were three issues with our rack, the first of which was a couple of missing pieces.
After unboxing the rack, we took inventory of the parts and realized that two brackets were missing. This put an immediate halt to our install so we rescheduled with the owner of the 4Runner to continue this installation another day. In the meantime we needed to to get the missing parts shipped to us.
When we run into issues such as this during our product reviews, we take it as a chance opportunity to test out a comany’s customer service. We attempted to find a contact phone number for iKamper’s customer service but there wasn’t one listed on their website.
The company does say there’s a live chat feature available but we never saw a way to access it, even after trying multiple times over a few days. The only way to get in touch is through an e-mail address and contact form on the website. We reached out both ways and waited.
After not hearing back a day later, the owner of the 4Runner reached out a couple more times via e-mail over the course of three days but did not receive an answer from iKamper. We then contacted our media contact and he was able to get the missing parts sent to us quickly. We hope this was a one-off lapse with iKamper’s customer service department. [UPDATE 6/18/24: We spoke to iKamper directly about our customer service concerns and they informed us that they have since made adjustments to ensure improved customer service coverage.]
After the missing brackets arrived, we brought the 4Runner back in and commenced installation. That’s when we ran into a couple of more issues. One of the parts didn’t have its holes drilled all the way through, leaving thin discs of metal that needed to be popped out. This wasn’t a big deal, but we thought it’s worth pointing out.
The other was a damaged part, which looked as if it was dented from the factory. The part came nicely wrapped up in a box with zero damage, but when unwrapped, it was clearly bent. Not wanting to futher delay the installation, we installed it anyway. We’re chalking up these errors to us receiving an early sample of the rack.
Installation
With everything finally in place, we began the install by reviewing the instruction booklet and removing the stock 4Runner roof rack. The instruction booklet is fully illustrated, which helps a lot.
iKamper points out that the Raconteur is intuitive to install and features a no-drill mounting system that makes installation a breeze. This is great for those who prefer not to make permanent modifications to their vehicle, which we’d say is pretty much everyone.
Installation went smoothly and only required a few hand tools. As with most roof racks, there’s a considerable use of hardware so we used a powered driver to make things go a bit faster but the tool isn’t necessary.
Following the instructions, we assembled most of the rack on the floor of the garage first. We also mounted the base of the rack, which mounts directly into the threaded holes that the factory 4Runner roof rails used so drilling was not necessary. The way the rack is designed, no silicone was required either, making the installtion straightforward and mess free.
With two people, we then moved the rack onto the roof of the 4Runner to mount to the mounts we installed earlier. We used a couple of step ladders to help us gain the height needed to work unimpeded. After the rack was secured to the roof, the last few pieces were bolted into place.
There wasn’t much adjustment needed, the rack sat in place as it should, even clearing the rear aerial antenna on the back of the 4Runner’s roof by millimeters.
The rack features a number of cross bars that can be configured in several different positions. This allows for specialized layouts to fit your requirements such as when mounting storage boxes, kayaks, recovery boards and more. The rack is designed to seamlessly accommodate an iKamper roof top tent, which we think is a fantastic feature. We hope to have an opportunity to test that out in the near future.
On The Daily
The owner of the 4Runner, who uses his truck as a daily driver, reports that he did not notice any appreciable wind noise, even after driving around with the rack mounted to the roof for a month. There wasn’t any noise when driving off-road trails either. No rattling, creaking or squeaking. That’s great news.
He loves the look and as an avid snowboarder and mountain biker, he greatly appreciates the added cargo hauling ability that the rack provides. He did point out however that while the rack is light in weight, weiging only 76 pounds, his fuel milage did go down around 1 to 1.5 miles per gallon.
We’d say that this is probably the case with all roof racks, not only the Raconteur and is probably a function of aerodynamics on top of the added weight. A good thing is that he does not feel that the added weight of the bare roof rack changed the on-road driving dynamics of the 4Runner at all.
Final Thoughts
The iKamper Raconteur Roof Rack stands out as a viable choice for overlanders seeking durability, functionality, versatility and good looks. Its combination of a steel frame and T-channeled aluminum cross bars provides an excellent balance of strength and weight, while the corrosion-resistant finish and stainless steel hardware ensure longevity. With seamless RTT integration and an easy, no-drill installation process, the Raconteur Roof Rack is a must-consider for any serious adventurer looking to maximize their vehcile’s utility and style.
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