Prinsu vs. Prinsu Pro Roof Rack

It has been more than 10 years since Prinsu launched their first roof rack. Since that time, thousands of customers have put that original rack design to the test logging millions of miles across dozens of countries in some of the toughest environments. The Prinsu rack held up and impressed and continues to impress. But just because something is great doesn’t mean you can’t make it better, especially with the real-world experience that Prinsu has. Enter the Prinsu Pro roof rack – Prinsu’s all-new roof rack that features redesigned side plates, stronger crossbars, and much more. Not sure what rack you should go with? With the standard Prinsu Rack still being in production and a viable option for many, you may be having a tough time deciding. In today’s post we will dive into the differences, features, and more of the Prinsu rack and Prinsu Pro rack.

Prinsu Roof Rack

The Prinsu roof rack is a true time-tested creation that still to this day should be a consideration to those looking for a quality, thoroughly tested, and timeless roof rack that can be a more affordable option for many. In addition, Prinsu’s lineup is expansive. Prinsu offers standard racks for dozens of vehicles ranging from the Toyota Tacoma to the Mercedes Sprinter Van, so chances are there is a rack made for your vehicle.

Prinsu roof racks are all-aluminum modular racks constructed from aluminum that sit low-profile and allow you to mount a slew of accessories. The overall design of a Prinsu rack blends two laser cut aluminum side plates with 2x1 inch crossbars that bolt directly to the side plates. A wind deflector is also bolted to a crossbar at the front of the rack. This unique design has stood the test of time and continues to be a great option.

Looking to mount a roof top tent or gear such as MAXTRAX or RotoPaX and don’t want to break the bank while doing so? The Prinsu rack might be your best bet as it is priced lower than Prinsu’s Pro model but is still ultra-capable.

Prinsu Pro Roof Rack

Prinsu didn’t need to release a completely new roof rack, but we are happy they did. The Prinsu Pro roof rack is the culmination of years of testing and real-world data to develop one of the most aesthetically pleasing roof racks while also building in features that make the rack ultra strong.

The overall design is relatively unchanged in that the Prinsu Pro features two aluminum side plates, multiple crossbars, and a wind deflector. However, there are some huge differences that we touch on below. These differences increase the overall weight capacity so for those who are looking to mount or carry larger items the Prinsu Pro might be the way to go.

Initially the Prinsu Pro will only be available for the Tacoma, 4Runner, Tundra, Frontier, GX460, and RAV4. However, we are almost certain that Prinsu is hard at work developing the Prinsu Pro for many more vehicles, but ultimately time will tell.

Difference Between the Prinsu and Prinsu Pro Rack

Above we explained that the two racks are very similar in that they both feature an aluminum side rails, crossbars, and a wind deflector. But let’s pull off the sheet here and really see what is going on between the two.

It is important to stress that the original Prinsu rack is still a great rack and will be a great rack for years to come. Think of the Prinsu Pro as the updated version that is essentially heavier duty with some added features. With that comes a larger price tag so it is important to really weigh the benefits with the cost of the two racks.

Okay enough fluff. Let’s be honest, we are super impressed with the Prinsu Pro Rack and for a couple extra hundred dollars you can have the latest and greatest out there. Why is the Prinsu Pro better, you might ask? Let’s start with the updated side rails, redesigned crossbars, bolt-on mounting feet, and the stainless-steel hardware.

• Updated Side Rails: The new side rails on the Prinsu Pro are probably the first thing you will notice. Not only do they have a slightly different shape as compared to the non-Pro racks but they feature a two-piece design which not only ensures they are stronger, but it also gives the rack a nice visual dimension. Our favorite feature of the new side rails though must be the 90-degree bend at the top of the rail. This might not sound like much, but it increases the side rail strength tremendously and includes pre-drilled slots allowing you to now add accessories to the side rail, which was not possible with the prior iteration.
• Redesigned Crossbars: There is nothing wrong with Prinsu’s 2x1 aluminum crossbars, but why not make them better if you can. That is exactly what Prinsu has done and their newly redesigned crossbars are now 44% stronger. Now you can mount more to your rack without worrying about flexing or breaking bolts. Another new feature is two additional drop-points in the center of the rack. This allows you to mount accessories from the middle of the rack opposed to the side of the rack. This can be helpful if you are trying to navigate other accessories that are already mounted.
• Bolt-On Mounting Feet: This might not sound like a huge deal but let us tell you it is. Not only do bolt-on mounting feet make the installation of the rack easier but it also is a stronger design and distributes the load better than feet that are bent into the side rail. This plays into the Pro model being better for heavier loads and having an increased weight rating.
• Stainless Steel hardware: Customers have been pushing for stainless steel for years and Prinsu has finally delivered on that. The Prinsu Pro rack comes with corrosion resistant black stainless-steel hardware that has been tested in the toughest environments. The days of rusted bolts are a thing of the past.

If you are looking for the most feature packed Prinsu roof rack, then the Prinsu Pro is probably your best bet. On the flip side if you are looking for a more than capable rack at a lower price point than we would suggest one of the standard Prinsu racks. As we explained above, the price is not the only difference. The Prinsu Pro is not available for all vehicles (yet) so you may be forced to decide that way. In addition, if you are planning on carrying heavier loads and need the strongest roof rack, then the Pro is your best bet.