Alternatives to the ARB BASE Rack

Short answer

The Australian-made alternative to the ARB BASE 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, priced per vehicle fitment in the table below. Wedgetail Core is the lower-priced Wedgetail ($1,400 to $1,695, warranty of 3 years), and the Rhino-Rack Pioneer 6 (1500 x 1240 mm) is $1,319 RRP, made in China, with a 5 year warranty on Pioneer platforms. For reference, ARB lists the BASE Rack 1255 x 1285 mm at $952 RRP with a 125 kg payload and a 3 year warranty. Third-party accessories fit a Wedgetail, some with a 10 mm spacer.

Wedgetail figures from Wedgetail product data; competitor figures from the linked sources, updated 15 October 2026.

The alternatives side by side

1. 
   Australian made

   Wedgetail 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

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2. 
   Lower price

   Wedgetail 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

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3. Imported 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 covers Pioneer platforms for 5 years; 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)

   Made in

   China (country of origin on the product page) (source)

   Warranty

   5 years (Pioneer branded roof platforms) (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)

4. The ARB, for reference

   ARB BASE Rack

   The rack you are comparing against. ARB lists a fully welded extruded aluminium rack with a dovetail accessory fitting, a 125 kg payload and a 3 year warranty for this size.

   Price

   $952.00 RRP (source)

   Load

   125 kg payload; each cross beam rated to 25 kg (on-road or off-road not stated) (source)

   Warranty

   3 years (source)

   Material

   Extruded aluminium, black powder coat (source)

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 already run ARB dovetail accessories: the BASE Rack keeps them; on any other platform, check each accessory before you switch.

Welded rack or welded frame

ARB says the BASE Rack is fully welded, with no bolts, structural screws or rivets. A Wedgetail platform has a welded main frame, and the other parts bolt or click together, so it ships flat pack and goes together at home or at a stockist. Both are aluminium: ARB lists extruded aluminium with a black powder coat, and Wedgetail Adventure and Core are powder coated aluminium with glass reinforced nylon.

Accessories: dovetail or channel

ARB lists a dovetail fitting for BASE Rack accessories. Third-party accessories fit a Wedgetail platform: the lip around the edge is there for strength, so some need a 10 mm spacer to clear it, and with that they fit. See accessory compatibility and the full Wedgetail vs ARB comparison.

Check the ratings

ARB lists a 125 kg payload for the 1255 x 1285 mm BASE Rack and 25 kg per cross beam, without saying whether that is on-road or off-road. Every Wedgetail is rated 100% off-road to its full dynamic rating (100 or 150 kg dynamic on most platforms), and static is 3.5 x dynamic. Your vehicle's roof limit applies too: use the lower figure. See static vs dynamic ratings.

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.

Questions people ask

What is the Australian-made alternative to the ARB BASE Rack?

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 BASE Rack?

Wedgetail Core is the lower-priced Wedgetail, $1,400 to $1,695 RRP inc GST per complete fitment, with a warranty of 3 years. ARB lists the 1255 x 1285 mm BASE Rack at $952 RRP; compare the full fitted price for your vehicle.

Will my ARB accessories fit a Wedgetail?

Check each one first. ARB lists a dovetail fitting for BASE Rack accessories; third-party accessories fit a Wedgetail platform, some with a 10 mm spacer to clear the strength lip.

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.

What warranty does the ARB BASE Rack have?

3 years, according to ARB's product page for the 1255 x 1285 mm BASE Rack (part 1770070). Wedgetail Adventure carries 10 years and Wedgetail Core 3 years.

Sources

1. rhinorack.com/en-au/products/roof-racks/roof-trays/pioneer-platforms, read 14 October 2026
2. rhinorack.com/en-au/products/roof-racks/roof-trays/pioneer-platforms/p..., read 14 October 2026
3. rhinorack.com/en-au/warranty-terms, read 14 October 2026
4. rhinorack.com/en-au/load-rating-calculator, read 14 October 2026
5. arb.com.au/product/1770070-arb-base-rack-1255-x-1285mm, read 14 October 2026