Prospeed Roof Rack for R1S Review

[natcc99]

Reference Links:

Firstly, I would like to give thanks for the community, especially the following links​

R1S Roof Racks Options - Compilation List​

Prospeed Racks for the R1T​

@k3g for the wind deflector gasket idea​

​

Introduction:

Prospeed Roof Rack for a R1S​

Purchased in Aug 2025; on sale for $1,350 ($100 off)​

Why did I pick Prospeed?

Prinsu appears to be the crowd favorite and I have friends who have them on their Toyotas. I have no doubt they are great, but I personally didn't like the styling.​

I picked Prospeed for following reasons​

- Cost​

- Low Profile​

- Wind Deflector angle matches the slope of the windshield​

Install Comments:

- Well packaged; no damaged during shipping​

- Hardware nicely organized in individual sealed bags​

- The mounting brackets were well machined and fits perfectly​

- No R1S instructions; instead, had to rely on R1T instructions​

- Below are R1S specific installation notes:​

- The rear most mounting points needs spacers to clear the roof​

- The side frame comes in 4 total pieces; 2 per side. Kit comes connectors to link the 2 pieces together.​

Install Issues:

- The washers around the mounting L bracket seem to small cover the slot. I purchased some larger SS washers. They are the largest ones I can find that can fit side by side.​

- The rear most mini cross bar is shorter than the other bars. I believe this is to help squeeze the rear to match the lines of the R1S' roof. However, when tightening it down, the mini cross comes in contact with the shark fin antenna. I tried moving the whole roof rack rearwards, but it was already maxed out. I solved this by adding washers to the mini cross bar to not squeeze the frame. I'm okay with this because I'm not putting any weight on the rear mini cross bar except lights.​

- The PR logo is reversed on one side; which seems odd. It doesn't bother me, but thought I share this observation​

Wind Noise and Efficiency Comments:

- Yes, there is wind noise. I can only hear it at highway speeds. I can still have a normal conversation with my family.​

- Not sure if this is a good measure, but any rain drops on the glass roof does not get blown away. The wind deflector pushes all the air up and over the roof.​

- I didn’t noticed any major impact on range​

Conclusion:

- I'm very happy with the roof rack​

- The slick design is inconspicuous; yet functional​

- I've already done a hardware store lumber pick up and looking forward to my next off road adventure​

​

Mounting Bracket ready for Install

Upgraded larger SS washers.
Note: For front and middle mounting points, no spacers needed

Rear most mount requires 2 spacers per side.

Image shows the clearance of the rear most mini cross bar and the shark fin antenna

Added washers to not squeeze the frame and prevent the mini cross bar from touching the antenna

The logo is backwards

Front wind deflector with gasket installed. Prospeed sells a gasket separately, but I followed k3g's advice.

Last but not least, my favorite design feature where the slope of the rack matches the windshield. No, I'm not planning on installing front facing lights.

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[kemxns]

This is a fantastic review, thank you!

Once of the characteristics I'm looking for is a rack that follows the roofline, which I've highlighted in a dark blue line here.

As I study your images I wonder if it's just an optical illusion that the bar actually bows outward (see the green) and then bends somewhat sharply back in (see the red)?

Im wondering if it might even be pretty easy to modify the rack to get it to curve the way I want? Carefully chop a few cross bars at appropriate lengths and then leave the side rail joint loose during install until the last minute (allowing for some angle/flex in the rail while cinching things down).... I bet that modified geometry would cause interference with the shark fin, but maybe I could get around that.

 

[Polar]

If those crossbars flex, is there any chance they’ll touch the roof glass?

 

[Polar]

No roof rack bows outward as you suggest, the Rivian roof line tapers significantly past the C pillars.
The OverlandRuffRax is one of the few racks that tapers, but it’s also the shortest as it ends before the shark fin.

 

[Dark-Fx]

If those crossbars flex, is there any chance they’ll touch the roof glass?

My biggest concern with any of these low profile racks. I'm trying to source aluminum t-track that has a minor bend in it to counteract these forces to begin with.

 

[natcc99]

This is a fantastic review, thank you!

Once of the characteristics I'm looking for is a rack that follows the roofline, which I've highlighted in a dark blue line here.

As I study your images I wonder if it's just an optical illusion that the bar actually bows outward (see the green) and then bends somewhat sharply back in (see the red)?

Im wondering if it might even be pretty easy to modify the rack to get it to curve the way I want? Carefully chop a few cross bars at appropriate lengths and then leave the side rail joint loose during install until the last minute (allowing for some angle/flex in the rail while cinching things down).... I bet that modified geometry would cause interference with the shark fin, but maybe I could get around that.

During my shopping, that was also something that I noticed. As @Polar mentioned, only Overland Ruff appears to follow the roof line. However, I didn't want to pay nearly $4k for that.

I also was thinking what you mentioned of cutting some of the rear cross bars to squeeze the side bars inwards. Prospeed somewhat does this with their rear most bar because it's shorter than the others.

The passenger side looks much better than the driver side (shown). It's straighter. For some reason, my driving side bow out and back in. Perhaps there are some more adjustments that I can do.
For the record, it's only noticeable from up high looking down.

In some cases, it's helpful that it comes outwards. It's easier to grab when I stand on the tire. Plus, it can potentially help push branches out and away from the car. I have a lot of pin stripes on the roof from driving through tight narrow trails.

 

[natcc99]

One cool Rivian trick came in handy during my installation.

I was by myself and readjusting the rack. When I unbolted it from the roof, the entire rack started to slide off the vehicle. My car was packed on my driveway which has a slope for water drainage.

I use the camping auto leveling feature and the problem was solved.

 

[Polar]

In person having had my roof rack on for well over a year now, the amount of times I’ve ever looked at the back corner of the rack going straight while my roof line flares inward is practically zero.

 

[kemxns]

I also was thinking what you mentioned of cutting some of the rear cross bars to squeeze the side bars inwards. Prospeed somewhat does this with their rear most bar because it's shorter than the others.

The passenger side looks much better than the driver side (shown). It's straighter. For some reason, my driving side bow out and back in. Perhaps there are some more adjustments that I can do.
For the record, it's only noticeable from up high looking down.

how sure are you that you've got 7 identical cross bars and an 8th shortie? I wonder if maybe there are a few lengths and they could be installed in sequence to make things more even?

 

[natcc99]

how sure are you that you've got 7 identical cross bars and an 8th shortie? I wonder if maybe there are a few lengths and they could be installed in sequence to make things more even?

Good point. Let me measure my cross bars again.

If those crossbars flex, is there any chance they’ll touch the roof glass?

My biggest concern with any of these low profile racks. I'm trying to source aluminum t-track that has a minor bend in it to counteract these forces to begin with.

There is some room between the glass and the bars. If the bars are bending enough to hit the glass, there is something wrong. I not planning on putting a tent on there. My plan is put bulky items on the roof to make space for the rear cargo.

Personally, my concern is accidentally hitting the glass with a ratchet strap. I so wish there a metal roof option. Twraps has a roof PPF option now. I might do that to give me a little protection when I'm securing my items.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Good point. Let me measure my cross bars again.





There is some room between the glass and the bars. If the bars are bending enough to hit the glass, there is something wrong. I not planning on putting a tent on there. My plan is put bulky items on the roof to make space for the rear cargo.

Personally, my concern is accidentally hitting the glass with a ratchet strap. I so wish there a metal roof option. Twraps has a roof PPF option now. I might do that to give me a little protection when I'm securing my items.

They can deflect pretty significant under dynamic loading, especially if whatever is on it happens to go up and down at the resonate frequency of the bar. You'll probably be okay, but I am overly paranoid about it.

 

[kemxns]

Personally, my concern is accidentally hitting the glass with a ratchet strap. I so wish there a metal roof option. Twraps has a roof PPF option now. I might do that to give me a little protection when I'm securing my items.

These look like Tslot rails... got a nice end-profile pic with some measurements? We could figure out if that's true and if they're metric or imperial and maybe even find the true manufacturer (I doubt it's PS). If their rails it's trivial to get some bolts to slip in there instead of going around the bar with a ratchet strap's hook. I know that might take more work but it's an idea...

I'll link to two vendors I've found in my searches for maybe making my own rack from scratch:

• https://8020.net/1020-s-black-fb.html (presumably this is the "quality" option)
• https://www.vevor.com/linear-guide-rail-c_10531 (this is the Chinesium variant... I've got lots of Vevor stuff and it's always "fine" but not the quality level of premium competitive brands. My gut feeling is that it's good for a situation like this and custom-building a rack might take<$500 in parts.

 

[natcc99]

These look like Tslot rails... got a nice end-profile pic with some measurements? ...

Here you go, see attachment.

Measurements below.
Length = 50" (all bars, except rear most which is 49")
Width = 2"
Height = 7/8"

 

[natcc99]

If their rails it's trivial to get some bolts to slip in there instead of going around the bar with a ratchet strap's hook. I know that might take more work but it's an idea...

PS offers several options including some eye hooks. Yes, I bought a bunch when I did my order to save on shipping. Thanks for the idea though.

 

[natcc99]

Im wondering if it might even be pretty easy to modify the rack to get it to curve the way I want? Carefully chop a few cross bars at appropriate lengths and then leave the side rail joint loose during install until the last minute (allowing for some angle/flex in the rail while cinching things down).... I bet that modified geometry would cause interference with the shark fin, but maybe I could get around that.

I took another look about the idea of modifying the rack to have the side bars match the curve of the roof line. If you were to do this, I image you will have to modify the L brackets because they could come at an angle to the Rivian's mounting points. The L brackets do have slots, but the end that mates up to the side rails are essentially 90degs. I can see it working, but would require some creativity.

Anyways, I agree with @Polar, I know it's there, but it hasn't bothered me. Perhaps it helps that the roof and rack are both black. It looks like an eye sore in photos, but once it's on the car, it's becomes a tool or fixture.

In case you were curious, here is the comparison with the passenger side.

Let me know if you have any more questions to help with your research.

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