Alternatives
Alternatives to Offroad Animal roof racks
Short answer
The Australian-made alternative to an Offroad Animal roof rack is the Wedgetail Adventure platform: made in Bayswater, Victoria, Australia, rated 100 or 150 kg dynamic on most fitments and 100% off-road with no derating, with a warranty of 10 years. Wedgetail Core is the lower-priced Wedgetail ($1,400 to $1,695 RRP inc GST, warranty of 3 years). Among imported platforms, Rhino-Rack lists the Pioneer 6 (1500 x 1240 mm) at $1,319 RRP, made in China, and Thule the Caprock M at $1,649.95, made in Poland. For reference, Offroad Animal rates its Scout Roof Rack for the 2022-on Ranger at 95 kg driving and 63 kg off-road, with a 24 month warranty.
Wedgetail figures from Wedgetail product data; competitor figures from the linked sources, updated .
The alternatives side by side
| Feature | Wedgetail Adventure | Wedgetail Core | Rhino-Rack Pioneer 6 | Thule Caprock M | Offroad Animal Scout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,525 to $5,905 RRP inc GST (138 fitments) | $1,400 to $1,695 RRP inc GST (11 fitments) | $1,319.00 RRP inc GST (Pioneer 6 Platform 1500mm x 1240mm)Source: rhinorack.com | $1,649.95Source: thule.com | $1,520.00 (all prices in AUD)Source: offroadanimal.com.au |
| Load rating | 100 or 150 kg dynamic on most fitments, 100% off-road, no derating | 100 or 150 kg dynamic, 100% off-road, no derating | Load capacity up to 150 kg ("Maximum load: 150 kg"); no separate dynamic, static or off-road figureSource: thule.com | 95 kg driving ("Rated to 95kg driving")Source: offroadanimal.com.au | |
| Off-road | 100% of the rating off-road, no derating | 100% of the rating off-road, no derating | Off-road rating from the vehicle owner's manual, or worked out with the formula in the product's fitting instructionsSource: rhinorack.com | No off-road rating published; the FAQ says it is "designed to withstand rugged off road environments and heavy loads"Source: thule.com | Off-road rating 63 kg ("Offroad Rating is 63kg"), less the rack's own weightSource: offroadanimal.com.au |
| Warranty | 10 years | 3 years | 5 years (Pioneer branded roof platforms)Source: rhinorack.com | Thule Guarantee: 2 years on all products; roof racks are listed for a further 3 years extended warranty; roof platforms are not named in that listSource: thule.com | 24 monthsSource: offroadanimal.com.au |
| Material | Powder coated aluminium, glass reinforced nylon | Powder coated aluminium, glass reinforced nylon | Premium lightweight aluminiumSource: thule.com | Lightweight aluminium, powder coated matte blackSource: offroadanimal.com.au | |
| Construction | Main frame welded; other parts bolt or click together; ships flat pack | Main frame welded; other parts bolt or click together; ships flat pack | Slats with built in T-tracks on the slats and perimeter, on adjustable base crossbarsSource: thule.com | Supplied as 5 T slot aluminium rails, side rails, front and rear mounts and a bag of nuts and boltsSource: offroadanimal.com.au | |
| Made in | Bayswater, Victoria, Australia | Bayswater, Victoria, Australia | China (country of origin on the product page)Source: rhinorack.com | Poland (country of origin on the product page)Source: thule.com | Not stated; the site says "Designed and Tested in Australia"Source: offroadanimal.com.au |
Australian made, rated off-roadWedgetail Adventure
Made in Bayswater VIC and rated 100% off-road to its full rating, with static at 3.5 x dynamic. The main frame is welded and the other parts bolt or click together, and it carries the longest warranty in the Wedgetail range.
- Rating
- 100 or 150 kg dynamic on most fitments, 100% off-road
- Warranty
- 10 years
- RRP inc GST
- $1,525 to $5,905
- Made in
- Bayswater VIC
Lower priceWedgetail Core
The same rating rules at a lower price, made in Bayswater VIC, listed for fewer vehicles and with a shorter warranty.
- Rating
- 100 or 150 kg dynamic, 100% off-road
- Warranty
- 3 years
- RRP inc GST
- $1,400 to $1,695
- Made in
- Bayswater VIC
- Imported modular platform
Rhino-Rack Pioneer 6
A modular platform sold widely in Australia. Rhino-Rack lists China as the country of origin for this part and 5 years on Pioneer platforms; it works out off-road figures from the vehicle manual or the fitting instructions.
- Price
- $1,319.00 RRP inc GST (Pioneer 6 Platform 1500mm x 1240mm) (source)
- Warranty
- 5 years (Pioneer branded roof platforms) (source)
- Made in
- China (country of origin on the product page) (source)
- Off road
- Off-road rating from the vehicle owner's manual, or worked out with the formula in the product's fitting instructions (source)
- Imported universal platform
Thule Caprock M
A 150 x 150 cm universal platform made in Poland that mounts on Thule Evo foot packs or a crossbar kit sold separately. Thule lists a load capacity up to 150 kg and no off-road figure.
- Price
- $1,649.95 (source)
- Load
- Load capacity up to 150 kg ("Maximum load: 150 kg"); no separate dynamic, static or off-road figure (source)
- Warranty
- Thule Guarantee: 2 years on all products; roof racks are listed for a further 3 years extended warranty; roof platforms are not named in that list (source)
- Made in
- Poland (country of origin on the product page) (source)
- The Offroad Animal, for reference
Offroad Animal Scout
The rack you are comparing against, here for the Next Gen Ranger. Offroad Animal rates it at 95 kg driving and 63 kg off-road, less the rack's own weight, with a 24 month warranty.
Which to choose
- You want it made in Australia and rated 100% off-road: Wedgetail Adventure.
- You want the Wedgetail rating rules at a lower price: Wedgetail Core, if it is listed for your vehicle on Find My Vehicle.
- You want an imported modular platform: the Rhino-Rack Pioneer 6; check the mounting for your vehicle and the off-road figure in its fitting instructions.
- You want one platform to move between vehicles: the Thule Caprock, on Thule foot packs or its crossbar kit.
The off-road figure is the one to compare
Offroad Animal's page for the Next Gen Ranger Scout rates it at 95 kg driving and 63 kg off-road, then subtracts the rack's own weight from the off-road figure. Thule gives the Caprock a 150 kg load capacity with no off-road figure, and Rhino-Rack works off-road ratings out from the vehicle manual or a formula in the fitting instructions. Every Wedgetail carries its full dynamic rating off-road, and static is 3.5 x dynamic.
| Tent on the move (dynamic) | Tent plus people parked (static) | Platforms | Ranges |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 kg | 123 kg | 1 | Wedgetail Adventure |
| 40 kg | 140 kg | 1 | Oval Steel |
| 60 kg | 210 kg | 2 | Oval Steel and Wedgetail Adventure |
| 70 kg | 245 kg | 1 | Commercial Max |
| 80 kg | 280 kg | 2 | Oval Steel and Wedgetail Adventure |
| 100 kg | 350 kg | 353 | Commercial Max, Oval Steel, Wedgetail Adventure, Wedgetail Core and Wedgetail Trade |
| 120 kg | 420 kg | 1 | Wedgetail Adventure |
| 150 kg | 525 kg | 200 | Commercial Max, Oval Steel, Wedgetail Adventure, Wedgetail Core and Wedgetail Trade |
Your vehicle's own roof limit still applies: use the lower figure. See off-road load ratings.
Low profile and wind noise
Buyers comparing the Scout often ask about wind noise. Wedgetail is testing noise now and will publish the results per product; until then this page makes no noise comparison. Every Wedgetail rack except Trade Max crossbar kits and the Technician ladder rack comes with a wind deflector.
Accessories
The lip around a Wedgetail platform is there for strength. Some third-party accessories need a 10 mm spacer to clear it, and with that they fit. See accessory compatibility and the full Wedgetail vs Offroad Animal comparison.
Where to buy and fit
All 134 Wedgetail stockists sell and fit, and racks are also fitted at the factory in Bayswater. See where to buy, the Wedgetail facts, Australian-made roof racks and the roof rack brands guide.
Questions people ask
What is the Australian-made alternative to Offroad Animal?
The Wedgetail Adventure platform, made in Bayswater, Victoria, Australia, rated 100% off-road to its full rating, with a warranty of 10 years.
Is there a cheaper alternative to the Offroad Animal Scout?
Wedgetail Core is the lower-priced Wedgetail, $1,400 to $1,695 RRP inc GST per complete fitment, with a warranty of 3 years. Offroad Animal lists the Next Gen Ranger Scout at $1,520; compare the full price for your own vehicle.
I'm mounting a rooftop tent. Which figure should I compare?
The off-road figure, not the driving figure. Offroad Animal rates the Next Gen Ranger Scout at 63 kg off-road; a Wedgetail carries its full dynamic rating off-road. The rooftop tent guide shows the maths.
Should I get a flat platform or crossbars?
Both are available. Wedgetail Adventure and Core are flat platforms; for bars, Trade Max crossbar kits are made for many utes and vans. See platform vs roof bars.
Is a Wedgetail derated off-road?
No. Every Wedgetail is rated 100% off-road to its full dynamic rating, and static is 3.5 x dynamic.
Do Offroad Animal or other brands' accessories fit a Wedgetail?
Third-party accessories fit a Wedgetail platform; some need a 10 mm spacer to clear the strength lip. Check each accessory's mounting before you switch.
Sources
- rhinorack.com/en-au/products/roof-racks/roof-trays/pioneer-platforms, read 14 October 2026
- rhinorack.com/en-au/warranty-terms, read 14 October 2026
- rhinorack.com/en-au/products/roof-racks/roof-trays/pioneer-platforms/p..., read 14 October 2026
- rhinorack.com/en-au/load-rating-calculator, read 14 October 2026
- thule.com/en-au/roof-rack/roof-platforms/thule-caprock-m-_-611002, read 14 October 2026
- thule.com/en-au/about-thule/warranty, read 14 October 2026
- offroadanimal.com.au/scout-roof-rack-to-suit-next-gen-ranger-super-duty-and-r..., read 14 October 2026
- offroadanimal.com.au, read 14 October 2026