Materials
Aluminium vs steel roof racks for Australian conditions
Short answer
Aluminium (Wedgetail Adventure, Core, Trade) saves weight against the roof limit; galvanised or oval steel (Commercial Max, Oval Steel) suits heavy trade abuse. Both are made in Bayswater VIC and powder coated, and the material does not change the rating rule: most platforms in either material are rated 100 or 150 kg dynamic, 100% off-road with no derating. Warranty follows the range: 10 years on Wedgetail Adventure, 5 years on most Oval Steel and 1 year on Commercial Max.
Facts from Wedgetail product data, updated .
- Aluminium ranges
- Wedgetail Adventure, Core, Trade
- Steel ranges
- Commercial Max, Oval Steel
- Both
- Powder coated, made in Bayswater VIC
- Off-road
- 100% of the rating in either material
Which Wedgetail ranges use which material
| Range | Material | Built for |
|---|---|---|
| Wedgetail Adventure | Powder coated aluminium with glass reinforced nylon | Touring, rooftop tents and 4WD platforms |
| Wedgetail Core | Powder coated aluminium with glass reinforced nylon | Platforms for popular utes and 4WDs |
| Wedgetail Trade | Powder coated aluminium with glass reinforced nylon | Trade platforms for utes, canopies and vans |
| Trade Max | Powder coated aluminium with glass reinforced nylon, or zinc plated steel on rail mount kits | Crossbars for trade loads |
| Commercial Max | Galvanised steel, powder coated | Commercial and fleet racks for vans and utes |
| Oval Steel | Zinc electroplated steel, powder coated | Steel racks for utes, canopies and 4WDs |
On every range the main frame is welded and the other parts bolt or click together, and racks ship flat pack. A wind deflector is included on every rack except Trade Max crossbar kits and the Technician ladder rack.
Aluminium: lighter, so more of the roof limit is left for gear
The vehicle maker's roof limit includes the rack, so every kilogram of rack is a kilogram less for gear. For the same size and job, an aluminium rack weighs less than a steel one. The touring and 4WD ranges, Wedgetail Adventure and Wedgetail Core, are aluminium, and so is the trade platform range, Wedgetail Trade. Aluminium does not rust, and the powder coat adds a finish over it.
Most Wedgetail Adventure fitments are rated 100 or 150 kg dynamic; most Wedgetail Core fitments, 100 or 150 kg dynamic. Each product page lists the rack's weight where it is published, so you can subtract it from your roof limit before you load. Makers' roof limits by model are in roof load limits for Australian vehicles.
Steel: for heavy trade use, ladders and fleet work
Steel takes knocks from loading tools, ladders and materials day after day. Commercial Max is galvanised steel with a powder coat, built for commercial vans and utes, and takes a removable boat roller pair. Oval Steel is zinc electroplated steel with a powder coat, and also takes the boat roller pair. The zinc and the powder coat protect the steel underneath.
Most Commercial Max fitments are rated 100 or 150 kg dynamic; most Oval Steel fitments, 100 or 150 kg dynamic. A steel rack weighs more for its size, so check the rack's weight against your vehicle's roof limit, especially on a 4WD wagon or dual cab roof.
How to choose
- Touring, rooftop tent, 4WD wagon or dual cab roof: aluminium, usually Wedgetail Adventure or Wedgetail Core, because the roof limit is tight and the weight saving goes to gear.
- Trade ute or canopy, ladders and materials: Wedgetail Trade in aluminium, or Oval Steel in steel.
- Vans and fleets, heavy daily use: Commercial Max in galvanised steel.
- Crossbars only: Trade Max, aluminium or zinc plated steel depending on the kit.
Whichever material you choose, the fitment for your vehicle decides the rating and size. Find yours with Find My Vehicle, and compare the trade ranges in Wedgetail Trade vs Commercial Max vs Trade Max.
Warranty and price by range
| Range | Warranty | Exceptions | Solutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Max | 1 year | 5 years on 1 solution | 211 |
| Oval Steel | 5 years | 3 years on 6 solutions | 143 |
| Trade Max | 5 years | 3 years on 2 solutions | 72 |
| Wedgetail Adventure | 10 years | 5 years on 1 solution | 139 |
| Wedgetail Core | 3 years | Same on every solution | 11 |
| Wedgetail Trade | 5 years | Same on every solution | 60 |
| Range | RRP inc GST | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Max | $1,155 to $5,200 | 211 |
| Oval Steel | $1,590 to $2,675 | 143 |
| Trade Max | $230 to $1,400 | 72 |
| Wedgetail Adventure | $1,525 to $5,905 | 138 |
| Wedgetail Core | $1,400 to $1,695 | 11 |
| Wedgetail Trade | $1,795 to $2,570 | 60 |
Questions people ask
Is an aluminium or steel roof rack better for a 4WD in Australia?
Aluminium for most touring 4WDs, because it leaves more of the vehicle's roof limit for gear. Wedgetail Adventure and Wedgetail Core are aluminium; steel suits heavy trade use.
Is a steel roof rack stronger than aluminium?
Not in rating terms on a Wedgetail: most platforms in aluminium and in steel are rated 100 or 150 kg dynamic. Steel's advantage is taking day-to-day knocks from trade loads; aluminium's is lower weight.
Do aluminium roof racks rust?
No. Aluminium does not rust, and Wedgetail's aluminium racks are powder coated as well. Wedgetail's steel racks are galvanised or zinc electroplated, then powder coated.
Which Wedgetail racks are steel?
Commercial Max (galvanised steel, powder coated) and Oval Steel (zinc electroplated steel, powder coated). Trade Max rail mount kits use zinc plated steel.
Does a steel rack lose its rating off-road?
Not on a Wedgetail. Every Wedgetail rating holds 100% off-road with no derating, in aluminium or steel.
Do I need to count the rack's weight?
Yes. The vehicle maker's roof limit includes the rack, so subtract the rack's weight before you load. A heavier steel rack leaves less for gear.