Tweet
Hi all, first time posting here, just bought a 2019 demo GX, chasing some advice on best flat rack to fit as no rails on the car and i have low clearance in carport, also want fit a rooftop tent, been looking the ARB Base rack, any tips appreciated
-
-
You have low clearance but want to fit a rooftop tent. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but.......
You will be better to see what your clearance is before choosing any rack. The lowest profile is usually the Rhino flat rack, but the ARB may be close. -
I have the Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform (2128mm x 1236mm) with Backbone on my 2018 Prado GX. It is good, but the slightly smaller one (19xxmm instead of 2128mm long) would have been better.
If I was buying now, I would get the ARB Base rack because 1) cross slats are better because it is easier to tie stuff down on them without having to mess around with Pioneer eye bolts etc, 2) looks a bit more solid, 3) be able to attach things on the side of the slats/rack is good for better clearance and maximising the space on top of the platform.
Comment
-
I've been looking at the ARB Base rack lately. As far as I can understand you can attach and remove guard rails which means you can convert it from a flat rack to a tradie as you like, while a Rhino-Rack comes as either flat or a tradie (I believe).Comment
-
-
Why the shorter Pioneer platform? Mainly because the smaller size is all we need and it is a little lighter (every kilo adds up), and it looks a little nicer without the front and rear overhangs w.r.t the backbone brackets.
There is a pretty small weight limit on the roof (my understanding is 100 Kg max including the rack), and Rhino Rack has an even smaller limit for "off roading". I have about 100 Kg up there with the rack, 2x MaxTrax, OzTent RV5, 2x ARB duffel bags containing bedding and clothes, and the shovel. So we just scrape in, but we're over Rhino Rack 80 Kg off road limit. Close enough :-).
I checked out the ARB base rack at the 4WD show in Adelaide on the weekend -- looks great. Very solid, all welded together construction, while Rhino Rack has bolts and plastic joins everywhere. Also, the way you attach the tie downs points is magic -- so easy to add and remove, and you can put them on the very edge of the rack so you maximise the area used on the rack. According to the ARB guy, its a few hundred dollars cheaper than the Pioneer platform too (comparing RRP to RRP). I'm sold :-).
Comment
-
I had a chat to ARB last week about it. I asked about attaching my Rhino-Rack 270 batwing to it and he said that at the moment the side rail mounting whatever isn't strong enough to hold the 20kg awning. You would need to drill holes right through the rack itself, which they were happy to do. Just thought I'd let you know, other than that I think the ARB base rack seems great. He quoted me $1950 all up, including install. An additional $83 on top of that again for a bracked needed to attach the batwing.
BASE RACK 1835 X 1155 1 $945
17921010 BASE RACK MNT KIT 1 $315
1780120 BASE RACK TRADIE SIDES 1 $315
17921020 WIND DEFLECTOR 1 $135
LABOUR INSTALL 1 $240
Still haven't decided, but I do like the detachable tradie side guards.
Comment
Comment