Roof racks...what are your thoughts?

[buzzdog Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close buzzdog]

Hi guys,
Was looking at getting a set of roof racks for my 2008 120 Prado but wasn't too sure what to get? Do I go for steel or Aluminium and if so what's a good/trusted brand to get? For additional info, I was looking at a full roof rack.
Would like to hear what other owners have chosen and the pros and cons of the addition.

Cheers

Buzz

[vj.mojo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close vj.mojo]

I'm in the same position, Steel or alloy. I leaning more towards the alloy because of the weight difference. Would also like know what others think as I am knew to the 4x4 scene.

[rptdprado Member Find all posts View Profile Close rptdprado]

If you think you will be needing to take the racks on/off quite often then maybe alloy is the way to go, but if they are going to be on most of the time then steel would be my choice. I have a Tradesman Oval Steel Rack very happy with it so far.

cheers

[Guest Close Guest]

Depends what and how heavy are the things you want to carry up top. But alloy is the way to go as the weight capacity on the roof is 100kg. You don't wwant to reduce this significantly by going with steel.

I'm a big fan of the Rhino Pioneer platform. Windcheetah is also good. I prefer the Rhino as the slats run north-south and would be less noisy compared to the Windcheetah. They are just what I think as I don't own both. I have the older style Rhino Platform Rack
http://www.rhinorack.com.au/AccSubCa...Rack_99_6.aspx

[fourbyphil Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close fourbyphil]

I have the ARB alloy roof cage and am very happy with it. Mainly use it for light weight overnight items (tent, sleeping bags, folding chairs, gazebo) . On some trips I also use it for firewood. I have also screwed the rhino shovel holder to the side vertical frame for easy access and a awning to the rear as well . It is however quite noisy, so I remove it when I need to go on a long trip and don't need the extra space. I can undo it and take it off in about 15-20 mins by myself. It adds about 1.5 ltrs per 100 to your fuel bill as well. Once you take it off you could still bolt on a couple of cross bars to the mounts if you need to carry a couple of items. I think the overall weight is 26 kg so still leaves 74 kg before you reach the rated limit.
Cheers
Phil

[jprucha Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jprucha]

Hi guys,
Was looking at getting a set of roof racks for my 2008 120 Prado but wasn't too sure what to get? Do I go for steel or Aluminium and if so what's a good/trusted brand to get? For additional info, I was looking at a full roof rack.
Would like to hear what other owners have chosen and the pros and cons of the addition.

Cheers

Buzz

Buzz,

I have gone a Rhino Rack Alloy Tray (1500 x 1010 mm) with 2 cross bars. http://www.rhinorack.com.au/AccSubCa...TRAY_35_1.aspx It is easy to take on and off as required, pretty good on the noise side of the house, and only weights 14.5 kg! The beauty of Rhino Rack products is that you can tailor the alloy tray with other add ons as required. I have a shovel holder, with the awning slotted in nicely on the other side. I also use a small luggage bag from Rhino Rack (across the back of the tray) to put those bits and pieces in, keeping them contained and protected from the elements. They may cost a bit, but its worth it if you want versatility and a product that works. I wouldn't go wider than 1010 mm on a Prado, otherwise you lose the capability to add stuff on the side, but you could go one longer (1800 mm).

Cheers,

Josh

[Ozpat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ozpat]

Buzz,

I have gone a Rhino Rack Alloy Tray (1500 x 1010 mm) with 2 cross bars. http://www.rhinorack.com.au/AccSubCa...TRAY_35_1.aspx It is easy to take on and off as required, pretty good on the noise side of the house, and only weights 14.5 kg! The beauty of Rhino Rack products is that you can tailor the alloy tray with other add ons as required. I have a shovel holder, with the awning slotted in nicely on the other side. I also use a small luggage bag from Rhino Rack (across the back of the tray) to put those bits and pieces in, keeping them contained and protected from the elements. They may cost a bit, but its worth it if you want versatility and a product that works. I wouldn't go wider than 1500 mm on a Prado, otherwise you lose the capability to add stuff on the side, but you could go one longer (1240 mm).

Cheers,

Josh

I too have this tray, mine is 1800 x 1010, sitting on three Rhino heavy duty crossbars. Perfect size for me. Funny thing is with the tray on there is little to no wind noise but take the tray off and the bars roar like a train over 80kmh. I carry a high lift jack and shovel on one side and Foxwing awning on the other. They don't come any wider than 1240mm. otherwise you'd be exceeding the car's width.

Cheers Jim

[buzzdog Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close buzzdog]

Wow!
Thanks for the responses everyone, great info with every comment! I'll be able to make my choice with a little more ease with the info and advice I've received above, cheers again.

Buzz

[ondaboat Coopers Pale Ale Find all posts View Profile Close ondaboat]

Howdy Buzzdog

I have the ARB alloy rack & agree with all that fourbyfil says. I reguarly take mine on and off have got pretty quick at it now.
Have just brought new house and one of the boxes it had to tick was 2.2m clearance or I wasn't buying so thankfully no more on n off.
You can just take them off and leave the side rails on and looks ok. The missus loaded it up on a trip back from Adelaide to Port Lincoln whilst I was away at work with over 100kg of Ikea flat pack. When I got home I saw all this stuff on the floor in the shed and asked how she got it home...on the roof. So they are definently strong.
I have a Foxwing mounted on mine with 4 maxtrax, shovel & other stuff. There are picks in my rig build (see below)

Regards Adam

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

Howdy Buzzdog

I have the ARB alloy rack & agree with all that fourbyfil says. I reguarly take mine on and off have got pretty quick at it now.
Have just brought new house and one of the boxes it had to tick was 2.2m clearance or I wasn't buying so thankfully no more on n off.
You can just take them off and leave the side rails on and looks ok. The missus loaded it up on a trip back from Adelaide to Port Lincoln whilst I was away at work with over 100kg of Ikea flat pack. When I got home I saw all this stuff on the floor in the shed and asked how she got it home...on the roof. So they are definently strong.
I have a Foxwing mounted on mine with 4 maxtrax, shovel & other stuff. There are picks in my rig build (see below)

Regards Adam

Only 2.2m? Mate, you've got to set your sights for bigger things. My new shed's 5m clearance at the doors haha.

[foxclan Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close foxclan]

Hi Buzdog
We use and recomend the Rhino gear.
Have the 1810 alloy tray mounted to the 3 Heavy duty bar set up.
The 3 bars have a carrying capacity of 100kg and have been very useful for other transport duties.
The bars can be removed simply by unscrewing a single screw on each footing, the cover plates go in place for a neat finish leaving the mount almost flush to the roof.
On tour we mount the ARB 2.5m awning on the left side, shovel holder on the right. Also have a UHF radio antena bracket mounted on the right of the front bar.
The Rhino 1810 alloy tray measures 1800mm x 1010mm internal and tips the scales @ 18 kg.
Up top we can carry an extra spare wheel, Maxtrax and lighter luggage in the Rhino medium sized rack bag.
A Narva LED work light is fitted to the rear of the tray on a Rhino light bracket.
One thing I will change in the future is to replace the eye nuts that are part of the mounting system, with Nylock nuts that do not protrude into the cargo area of the tray. These eye nuts take up valuable floor space , although they can be convenient for lashing things down. Generally I pass my straps through the tray and lash to the roof bars.
The new Rhino Pioneer alloy trays also look first class.
Which ever brand or style you decide on, in my opinion alloy is a must to reduce the Tare weight on the vehicles roof.
Good Luck
Regards Troy

[Hpycmpr Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hpycmpr]

Not sure if you have any time constraints, but your choice might come down to availability. After much consideration I ordered the ARB alloy rack. After three weeks waiting I have just been told, it MIGHT be ready by mid July, probably, maybe, most likely but we can't give you a firm date.....

[Justo77 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Justo77]

I have an ARB steel rack, does the job really well but as the others have said it is quite noisy and does add to the fuel consumption particularly as my drive to work is 100 kmh the whole way.
I am looking at changing my setup to a Rhino or Windchetah as they are lighter and appear to be much easier to remove/install as required, probably leaning towards the Rhino Pioneer at this stage mainly due to price as from memory the comparable size Rhino was about $300 cheaper than the Windchetah.
If or when I change over I will keep you let you know what I went for and my thoughts.

[gumboot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close gumboot]

Not sure if you have any time constraints, but your choice might come down to availability. After much consideration I ordered the ARB alloy rack. After three weeks waiting I have just been told, it MIGHT be ready by mid July, probably, maybe, most likely but we can't give you a firm date.....

Good luck with ARB.
I had ordered one in Feburary form my ARB dealer. It is May now, They just pushed back my install again for the 2nd time as no 120 Alloy racks available. They told me there are 174 of them on back order, and the next produciton run was making 30. I may get on in 4 weeks out of that run.....They cant even give me a firm date!
Hows that for customer experience.....

[Guest Close Guest]

Pic of my roof rack. Bars are 1350mm Aero bars and old style Rhino Platform Rack.