Thread: Roof Racks - My Thoughts for Prospective Buyers

Well I've just installed my 3rd style/brand of rack on my current D4 and thought it maybe helpful to tell you what and why I did what I did. This is not a discussion about roof load BTW, I know I'm over.

First rack was a Rhino 3 bar setup with a basket (which I already had) hence why I went with the bars. Hideously noisy with the front bar installed. Not very flexible for storage of camping gear. Cost approx $ 1400. Also bought spare wheel carrier x 2 so add $ 280. Total $1680.

Second, replaced bars and basket with Rhino Platform system. Reused the legs and roof tracks but if buying the system from scratch it would be $1684. Needed a bunch of eye bolts because it's not practical to tie ropes anywhere so add $100. Hideously noisy, (Wind Fairing add $200, don't know if it works). Removed rack when not in use and stored in garage roof but when reinstalling the leg placement is always out a bit and made this a pain. Placing eye bolts where required requires forward planning.

With both the Rhino systems my major concern, as I recently found out with a number of videos on YouTube, the off-road load rating is nearly halved to about 50kg! Just enough for an awning, Maxtrax and a swag or two. Not much anyway.

Third rack is a Tracklander by Jaram and I couldn't be happier. No noise, 200kg load rating on or off-road. Mesh floor so very easy to tie things to, especially with ratchet straps, bolts directly to factory points (no pop rivets required as with Rhino) so easily installed, sturdy wind fairing included, sits low on the roof and quite important to me, WA made. Cost $1600.

Photos show new rack install (I still need to replace channel strip) and old rack with all the eye bolts I needed.

Suggest you consider them when buying a rack.

I ended up with a BajaRack rack by accident. Went to pick up my camping fridge freezer.
They took one look at the D3 and asked If I was looking for a roof rack. They had ordered on for a D3 owner who never picked it up.
They wanted it gone so they offered half price so I said yes.
A bit heavy. Rock solid and because it is designed specifically for the D3 and D4 it follows the step in the roof and looks like part of the vehicle rather than just a flat platform perched on top of the roof.
I like it even if initially it wasn't on my radar.

Not my vehicle.
BajaRack.jpg