Best for
Best steel roof rack in Australia
Short answer
Commercial Max (galvanised steel, powder coated) and Oval Steel (zinc electroplated steel, powder coated) are the Wedgetail steel options, made in Bayswater VIC; ratings are quoted per solution where published. Every rating is 100% off-road with no derating, and static is 3.5 x dynamic. Commercial Max is listed mostly for work vans and Oval Steel mostly for 4WDs, utes and listed canopies; Oval Steel carries the longer warranty of the two on most solutions, and each pick below shows the current rating, warranty and price.
Specs from Wedgetail product data, updated .
- Steel ranges
- Commercial Max and Oval Steel
- Made in
- Bayswater, Victoria
- Off-road
- 100% of the rating, no derating
- Static rating
- 3.5 x the dynamic rating
The shortlist
| Pick | Why | Rating (dynamic) | RRP inc GST | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Max | Galvanised steel open end rack, mostly for work vans | 100 or 150 kg on most fitments, 100% off-road | $1,155 to $5,200 | 78 models |
| Oval Steel | Zinc electroplated steel rack for 4WDs, utes and canopies | 100 or 150 kg on most fitments, 100% off-road | $1,590 to $2,675 | 51 models |
| Wedgetail Trade | Aluminium trade platform with the same off-road rating rule | 100 or 150 kg, 100% off-road | $1,795 to $2,570 | 23 models |
Work vans and tradeCommercial Max
Galvanised steel, powder coated, with a welded main frame. Listed mostly for work vans, plus some utes and service bodies. It takes a removable boat roller pair.
- Rating
- 100 or 150 kg dynamic (350 or 525 kg static) on most fitments, 100% off-road
- Warranty
- 1 year (5 years on 1)
- RRP inc GST
- $1,155 to $5,200
- Vehicles
- 78 models, 211 solutions
4WD, ute and canopyOval Steel
Zinc electroplated steel, powder coated. Listed for the roof of 4WDs and utes and for some canopies, with a longer warranty than Commercial Max on most solutions. It also takes a removable boat roller pair.
- Rating
- 100 or 150 kg dynamic (350 or 525 kg static) on most fitments, 100% off-road
- Warranty
- 5 years (3 years on 6)
- RRP inc GST
- $1,590 to $2,675
- Vehicles
- 51 models, 143 solutions
If steel is not essentialWedgetail Trade
Powder coated aluminium with glass reinforced nylon rather than steel, listed mostly for vans and a few dual cab utes. Same rule: 100% off-road to its full rating. It takes the ladder lock kit and conduit carriers.
- Rating
- 100 or 150 kg dynamic (350 or 525 kg static), 100% off-road
- Warranty
- 5 years
- RRP inc GST
- $1,795 to $2,570
- Vehicles
- 23 models, 60 solutions
Commercial Max or Oval Steel
- Work van, ladders and sheet goods: Commercial Max. Galvanised steel, powder coated, listed mostly for work vans and also for service bodies.
- 4WD or ute, on the roof or a canopy: Oval Steel. Zinc electroplated steel, powder coated.
- A tinnie on the roof: both take a removable boat roller pair. There is no Wedgetail kayak carrier.
- A longer warranty matters most: Oval Steel on most solutions, or an aluminium Wedgetail range.
Ratings are per solution
Each Commercial Max and Oval Steel solution carries one dynamic rating, quoted on its product page and shown on the pick cards above. A few odd fitments are rated lower than most, and a few Oval Steel canopy racks show "No published rating". Every rating is 100% off-road with no derating, and static is 3.5 x dynamic. Your vehicle's roof limit applies too: use the lower figure. See static vs dynamic ratings.
Steel or aluminium
Steel racks here are Commercial Max and Oval Steel. The Wedgetail Adventure, Core and Trade ranges are powder coated aluminium with glass reinforced nylon and carry longer warranties than Commercial Max. All of them have a welded main frame, ship flat pack and come with a wind deflector. See aluminium vs steel roof racks.
Steel rack on a canopy
Oval Steel has canopy fitments for some vehicles as well as roof fitments. Wedgetail fits canopies from ARB, EGR (Gen 2), Maxliner (Venture), RSI (Evo), Utemaster (Centurion) and Ascent; if your canopy is not on that list, Wedgetail does not fit it. Search your vehicle on Find My Vehicle to see which range is listed for your canopy, and see which canopies Wedgetail fits.
Oval Series Alloy
Oval Series Alloy is discontinued. Oval Steel is the current Oval range.
Questions people ask
What steel roof racks does Wedgetail make?
Two ranges: Commercial Max (galvanised steel, powder coated) and Oval Steel (zinc electroplated steel, powder coated), both made in Bayswater, Victoria.
What warranty do the steel racks have?
Oval Steel carries the longer warranty on most solutions, and Commercial Max the shorter one on almost every solution. Each product page, and each pick above, shows the warranty for that solution.
What is the load rating on a steel rack?
One dynamic rating per solution, shown on its product page, 100% off-road with no derating. Static is 3.5 x dynamic, and your vehicle's roof limit also applies.
Can I fit a steel roof rack on my canopy?
Yes, for some vehicles: Oval Steel has canopy fitments, on canopies Wedgetail fits (ARB, EGR Gen 2, Maxliner Venture, RSI Evo, Utemaster Centurion and Ascent). Canopies not on that list are not fitted, so search your vehicle to see what is listed.
Is the Tradesman oval alloy rack still available?
No. Oval Series Alloy is discontinued; Oval Steel is the current Oval range.
Do the steel racks carry a boat?
Yes. Commercial Max and Oval Steel take a removable boat roller pair. There is no Wedgetail kayak carrier.