Roof Racks

[one_iota]

As far as I'm aware there are three choices available for Defender Roof Racks in Australia:

Land Rover's Expedition Rack

Frontrunner's Slimline II

and most recently

Rhino-Rack Pioneer

The LR offering is slick

The FR offering seems a bit agricultural

The RR offering offers a lot of accessory options.

Please discuss[tonguewink]

(So far I'm heading down the RR path)

Or is a custom build a better choice:

https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/295475538_6119712984725063_5657273881501331715_n.j pg'stp=dst-jpg_p180x540&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=l5cPNf-Y5LIAX9Qkgnb&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&oh=00_AT9PYn5AGC_IE5ButV9x9aiSYjHOTS2h4NxF5kTjCCVd sA&oe=62EBE53F

[zilch]

It’s great there are now options, our only route was the LR expedition rack 20 months ago. I can say however
the LR rack is very good, it is a Thule platform really, and can take Thule and Rhino rack fittings to a degree.

[Eric SDV6SE]

Saw that the other day, I have the RR on my D4 and love it. Will be looking closely at thr same for when the L663 arrives.

[one_iota]

Load capacity is a factor.

The maximum dynamic load carrying capacity of the Defender 110 roof is 163 kg.

As I understand it the LR expedition rack has a maximum load carrying capacity of 130 kg and the weight of the rack is 32 kg so the combined weight is 162 kg so just within the roof's capacity.

The Rhino-Rack Pioneer System (RR) fixed to the Defenders roof rails has a maximum load carrying capacity of 86 kg and the weight of the rack system is 34kg: total combined weight of 120 kg. This capacity is applicable to both on and off-road conditions as defined by Rhino-Rack.

So for my purposes with a 22 kg awning attached the RR system leaves me 64kg. I'll be carrying max 36 litres of water so say 40 kg and so there is 24 kg left to play with....not much if spare fuel is also carried.

The LR rack is looking better from that perspective.

The Front Runner rack is silent on this issue as far as I can ascertain.

[one_iota]

So some nuance based on this excellent analysis from our old mate Robert Pepper:

Roofrack loads and weights - how much can I carry on my roofrack? - YouTube (https://youtu.be/mLTJ6SpdUx4)

If I factor in a division of the factory LR rack capacity of 130 kg by 1.5 for off-road conditions its carrying capacity is....wait for it.......86kg: The same as the RR system!

I've been in touch with Front Runner asking for its numbers and I was sent a link to a video showing carboys of water loaded on a D3/4...thanks for the engineering [bigrolf].

Of course, the usual disclaimers apply: You are responsible for doing your own research and calculations not me!

[Jase_T]

The LR Roof rack is bloody noisy, keep that in mind.

[one_iota]

The LR Roof rack is bloody noisy, keep that in mind.

It's a product of a quiet Defender! (the old one is just bloody noisy!)

The Rhino-Rack has a wind deflector as an accessory...I guess that might lessen the noise generated by it.

[zilch]

It's a product of a quiet Defender! (the old one is just bloody noisy!)

The Rhino-Rack has a wind deflector as an accessory...I guess that might lessen the noise generated by it.

with our LR OEM rack the wind noise is usually ok until we get cross winds, especially at motorway speeds,
just turn the music up a notch to drown it out

[Beasdefender]

LR seem conservative in their weight ratings, I think. I have done over 10,000km on my defender with the genuine LR roof rack fitted. I loaded my rack (32kg) with (give or take) spare wheel and tyre (35kg), 20L of diesel (24kg) but that's another whole story, tent (35Kg), max tracks (15kg) and a box of recovery gear (20Kg).

So I think I was at 160kg or thereabouts, fully loaded. More than a few times, I was on the roof (80kg), via the very sturdy and excellent LR ladder, so that's 240kg (static) and 160Kg (dynamic) on the roof.

When I say "dyanmic" at 160kg is really was - we did thousands of kms - including Tanami Track, Gibb River Rd and numerous side trips on corrugations which varied between noticeable and horrendous and NOTHING MOVED. My gear was well strapped - Rhino straps and the remarkable KANU lock down straps - but NOTHING MOVED, not even a mm.

Mark me down as a major fan of the LR roof rack....

[discojools]

I have a short Slim Line FR rack for sale if anybody is interested. It's on AULRO for sale page. Brand new. Wasn't quite big enough for me so bought RR backbones and fitted my old RR Pioneer platform to the Defender. OMG so much noisier than when it was on my D4. I put this down to the fact that it sit much lower on the Defender and I am sure all those holes in the back bone must contribute to the noise. I have since got the RR fairing its just about bearable now. Might try blanking off the holes.

[Jase_T]

It's a product of a quiet Defender! (the old one is just bloody noisy!)

The Rhino-Rack has a wind deflector as an accessory...I guess that might lessen the noise generated by it.

haha yes, trust me I'll take the the roof rack noise any day for a quiet defender. In saying that, I had a rhino rack on my prado with a deflector kit and that was super quite.

Just looking for a deflector that will fit the LR rack

[one_iota]

Roof rack noise hack = the pool noodle - YouTube (https://youtu.be/Z32x8Jh8CrI) ?

[Jase_T]

Roof rack noise hack = the pool noodle - YouTube (https://youtu.be/Z32x8Jh8CrI) ?

I've never been so excited to go buy some pool noodles at Kmart tonight [bigrolf]

[Grappler]

The LR Roof rack is bloody noisy, keep that in mind.
I just bought a pair of Front Runner load bars
The Front Runner Bars are very noisy too
Over 80KPH and it sounds like driving through a howling blizzard
Ive tried with and without the supplied deflector. It must be the rectangular shape of the bars or the gappy mountings
These make my L663 almost as noisy as my my "proper Defender" fitted with Rhino tradie racks!

Also had a problem with the rail mount. One of the 8 threaded studs was not pressed into the sliding plate properly and slipped when trying to tighten the nyloc nut. Was then difficult to back off
Front Runner replaced the mount promptly but I ended up putting a small plug weld on each stud

[scarry]

Roof bars are often noisy,unless there is something on them such as a RTT.

On the Falcon vans we had years ago,we used to slide pipe insulation over the bars,which would cut the noise down to almost nothing.
We always used the thickest walled insulation we could get,but was still practical, so we could use the roof bars for carrying ladders,pipe,etc.

The last two vehicles we have had,i take the bars off when not using them,they have a quick release set up so come off very easily.
They were Rhino HD bars

[Eric SDV6SE]

I just bought a pair of Front Runner load bars
The Front Runner Bars are very noisy too
Over 80KPH and it sounds like driving through a howling blizzard
Ive tried with and without the supplied deflector. It must be the rectangular shape of the bars or the gappy mountings
These make my L663 almost as noisy as my my "proper Defender" fitted with Rhino tradie racks!

Also had a problem with the rail mount. One of the 8 threaded studs was not pressed into the sliding plate properly and slipped when trying to tighten the nyloc nut. Was then difficult to back off
Front Runner replaced the mount promptly but I ended up putting a small plug weld on each stud From memory, the FR have the carry slats running across the vehicle, RR has them running along the length of the car. This affects their running noise no end. On my D4 the RR was not as noisy as the AT tyres it was wearing. Will see what rack I put on my Defender... a slimline front air dam or spoiler a la ProSpeed design should work well...

[Grappler]

Inspired by the pool noodle solution, I found a YT hack to reduce noise on roof bars

By spiralling rope around the bar, the noise is 90% defeated

The picture shows the hack on the FR roof bars on my L663

I will replace the rope with 6mm black shock cord for a neater look.

The green tape filling the gaps in the brackets did nothing to reduce noise and will be removed

[sharmy]

I have just listed an alloy full length serious roof rack on market place. It looks a bit commercial, but would make the new defender look a bit tougher[bighmmm]

[sharmy]

Price reduction if anyone interested--- market place
John

[Eric SDV6SE]

This looks very good.

Rhino Rack with Backbone at 1900aud but only 86kg capacity seems a bit expensive in comparison.

New Land Rover Defender Expedition Roof Rack VPLER0181 (https://www.landybitz.com.au/new-land-rover-defender-expedition-roof-rack-vpler)

[one_iota]

New Land Rover Defender Expedition Roof Rack VPLER0181 (https://www.landybitz.com.au/new-land-rover-defender-expedition-roof-rack-vpler)

The JLR dealer supplied and fitted this genuine rack to mine for $2475 less than a month ago. They were all doing a discount deal. So after you've paid for your Defender ask them.

183543

So far I've attached the Darche Kozi 270 awning some tie down eyes and the carriers for my Vaast water tanks. Not as readily done compared with Rhino or Front Runner but do-able if you are handy.

[PJJ]

So, all you guys that have fitted various Racks, How bad is the wind noise at around the 100k mark. Are different Racks less noisier than others, eg Rhino or Land Rovers own example.
I had an ARB Rack on a D1 years ago, but would take it off when back home. It was too noisy.
I am toying with the idea of Fitting an Awning on the side of my 2022 Defender, but do you need a complete Rack or can you use another way of mounting it to the roof rail? I wonder if that would generate wind noise as well?

cheers Phil

[one_iota]

So, all you guys that have fitted various Racks, How bad is the wind noise at around the 100k mark. Are different Racks less noisier than others, eg Rhino or Land Rovers own example.
I had an ARB Rack on a D1 years ago, but would take it off when back home. It was too noisy.
I am toying with the idea of Fitting an Awning on the side of my 2022 Defender, but do you need a complete Rack or can you use another way of mounting it to the roof rail? I wonder if that would generate wind noise as well?

cheers Phil

I come from driving a "classic" Defender with its brick dunny aerodynamics with roof rails and awnings, rattly puma diesel engine and AT tyres so anything is an improvement!

With the new one, I noticed a little more noise with the LR rack at over 80kph...but I could still have a quiet conversation with the passenger! The awning hasn't added any more noise that I can tell.

I just fitted Maxxis proper all-terrain tyres and I can't hear the roof rack anymore [bigrolf]....but I can still converse with my passenger without shouting and listen to ABC digital Jazz with the volume up a bit.

With regards to fixing three points is best and if it's a 270 awning the rear most mount has to be close to the hinges. So it depends on the awning. I'm not sure if three rails can be fitted to the new Defender.

[Eric SDV6SE]

Imho the Front Runner is noisiest, followed by Rhino, then the LR, although the Rhino can also be fitted with a front deflector making it comparable to the LR rack. In my mind the tracks running front to back (RR) or side to side (FR and LR) makes the biggest difference re noise.

I'm leaning to the LR rack as it has the "best bang for buck" i.e. load capacity out of all available options to date.. Noise is a secondary consideration for me, just turn the radio up louder and all is well.

[discojools]

I have found that my RR back bone and the Pioneer rack from my D4 is less noisy when loaded. But unloaded is unbearable even with the deflector. So I have to take the whole thing off when nothing on a trip. Very very difficult, no fun at all. Not looking forward to fitting for high country trip coming up.

[RobA]

OK a helpful thread that needs to be updated to match what's available on the market today and as at the end of 2024.

For our build I am considering the following and would appreciate feedback from those who have them fitted thanks:

LRA OE rack.
Off Road Animal Scout Rack
Trail Max
Add feedback on any others to help with my deliberations would be appreciated too


Finding capacity specs seems to be a challenge

Rob

[Tombie]

Im still a huge fan of Prospeed Aero ;)

[RobA]

Im still a huge fan of Prospeed Aero ;)

Thanks certainly looks interesting enough

Rob

[Narangga]

Thanks certainly looks interesting enough

Rob
It depends on what you are after. We have had no issues with the 3/4 Front Runner on the D3 (although some report wind noise with the deflector but we've had none).

https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/en/au/vehicles/land-rover-defender-2020

Options...

[RobA]

It depends on what you are after. We have had no issues with the 3/4 Front Runner on the D3 (although some report wind noise with the deflector but we've had none).

https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/en/au/vehicles/land-rover-defender-2020

Options...

Looking for either one to leave on and is compatible with the OE ladder hence a strong interest in wind noise or, something like a simple flat platform that sits is quickly and easily removed for the 80% of time its not needed. We've used both types on previous cars but never found one yet that is truly silent.

Rob

[Eric SDV6SE]

Ordered ProSpeed Aero, fits and looks great. Noise is there but not intrusive, and i didn't buy it for the lack of noise

192119
192120

[one_iota]

Looking for either one to leave on and is compatible with the OE ladder hence a strong interest in wind noise or, something like a simple flat platform that sits is quickly and easily removed for the 80% of time its not needed. We've used both types on previous cars but never found one yet that is truly silent.

Rob

Regarding the ladder, I have a 2.6m telescoping ladder that is accommodated inside the rear. It doesn't take up much room and has hooks that fit over the side rail of the roof rack. Also no aerodynamic issues [thumbsupbig]