Comparison
Front Runner Slimline II vs ARB BASE Rack
Short answer
The ARB BASE Rack is a one-piece welded platform with a published 125 kg payload and a dovetail accessory system on a 3 year warranty, while the Front Runner Slimline II is a customer-assembled T-slot tray with a wind deflector included, a 5 year warranty and no load figure on its tray page. Platform only, the 1255 x 1285 mm BASE Rack (1770070) is $952 and 14.3 kg, and the 1345 x 1358 mm Slimline II tray (RRSTG07) is $1,330 and 22.31 kg installed. Front Runner says the tray is made in South Africa; ARB's page does not say where the BASE Rack is made. The Australian-made option is Wedgetail Adventure: made in Bayswater VIC, rated 100 or 150 kg dynamic on most fitments and 100% off-road with no derating, with a warranty of 10 years.
Wedgetail figures from Wedgetail product data; competitor figures from the linked sources, updated .
Side by side, platform only
| Feature | Front Runner Slimline II tray | ARB BASE Rack | Wedgetail Adventure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,330.00 (tray only; does not include a mounting system)Source: dometic.com | $952.00 (platform, product code 1770070)Source: arb.com.au | $1,310 to $5,905 RRP inc GST (139 fitments) |
| Size | 1345 mm wide x 1358 mm longSource: dometic.com | 1255 x 1285 mmSource: arb.com.au | Made to suit each vehicle; size listed on each fitment's product page |
| Vehicle mounting | Does not include a mounting system; fits an existing Front Runner roof rack mounting systemSource: dometic.com | Sold as a single item; mounting kits are available for fitment to all ARB Ascent, Classic and Classic Plus canopiesSource: arb.com.au | Complete solution with a mounting kit made to suit each vehicle |
| Load rating | 125 kg payload; each cross beam rated to 25 kgSource: arb.com.au | 100 or 150 kg dynamic on most fitments, 100% off-road, no derating | |
| Off-road rating | No numeric rating on the tray page; Dometic says it was designed and built specifically for off-road useSource: dometic.com | Designed and engineered for off-road use; rated and tested in line with the roof load limit of each individual vehicleSource: arb.com.au | 100% of the dynamic rating, no derating |
| Weight | 22.31 kg approximate installed weightSource: dometic.com | 14.3 kg netSource: arb.com.au | Listed on each fitment's product page |
| Accessory system | T-slot slats and slotted side railsSource: dometic.com | Dovetail extrusion around the full perimeter and along both edges of each internal beam; accessories clamp onSource: arb.com.au | Wedgetail Adventure accessories; third-party accessories fit, some with a 10 mm spacer to clear the strength lip |
| Profile height | No height figure published; described as low profileSource: dometic.com | No height figure published; sold as a low-profile platform on low-profile blade mountsSource: arb.com.au | Installed height not published yet; measure the fitted rack |
| Construction | Slats secured with locking nuts into a double-walled aluminium extrusion channel in the side profiles; assembled by the customerSource: dometic.com | One-piece, fully welded (robot welded; no bolts, structural screws or rivets)Source: arb.com.au | Main frame welded; other parts bolt or click together; ships flat pack |
| Material | Black epoxy powder-coated T6 aluminiumSource: dometic.com | Extruded aluminium, black powder coatSource: arb.com.au | Powder coated aluminium, glass reinforced nylon |
| Wind deflector | Wind deflector included (one pair, WDST006, 1345 mm)Source: dometic.com | Included | |
| Warranty | 5 years ("All Dometic Front Runner Series racks are backed by a 5-year warranty")Source: dometic.com | 3 yearsSource: arb.com.au | 10 years (5 years on 1) |
| Made in | South Africa ("manufactured in South Africa entirely using corrosion free aluminum")Source: dometic.com | Bayswater, Victoria, Australia |
Welded or assembled
ARB describes the BASE Rack as one-piece and robot welded, with no bolts, structural screws or rivets. Front Runner's Slimline II tray is assembled by the customer: the slats are secured with locking nuts into a double-walled extrusion channel in the side profiles. A Wedgetail sits between the two: the main frame is welded and the other parts bolt or click together, so it ships flat pack.
Load rating
ARB lists a 125 kg payload for the 1255 x 1285 mm BASE Rack and rates each cross beam to 25 kg; it says its racks are rated and tested in line with the roof load limit of each vehicle. Front Runner gives no numeric rating on the Slimline II tray page and says it was designed and built specifically for off-road use. Whichever you choose, the vehicle maker's roof limit still applies.
Every Wedgetail is rated 100% off-road to its full dynamic rating, and static is 3.5 x dynamic. Wedgetail Adventure platforms are rated 100 or 150 kg dynamic on most fitments; the exact figure is listed for each vehicle. Off-road load ratings explained.
| 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 |
Accessory systems
- ARB BASE Rack: a dovetail extrusion runs around the full perimeter and along both edges of each internal beam, so accessories clamp on.
- Front Runner Slimline II: T-slot slats and slotted side rails; the tray comes with a 1345 mm wind deflector.
- Wedgetail Adventure: the lip around the platform is there for strength. Some third-party accessories need a 10 mm spacer to clear it, and with that they fit. There is no Wedgetail spacer kit; see do third-party accessories fit a Wedgetail.
Price, weight and mounting
ARB lists the BASE Rack at $952 and 14.3 kg net, sold as a single item, with mounting kits for ARB Ascent, Classic and Classic Plus canopies. Front Runner lists the Slimline II tray at $1,330 and 22.31 kg approximate installed weight, and says it does not include a mounting system. A Wedgetail price is for a complete solution made to suit the vehicle: Wedgetail Adventure is $1,525 to $5,905 RRP inc GST across the range, and Wedgetail also fits ARB canopies (canopies Wedgetail fits).
Warranty and origin
Front Runner states a 5-year warranty on all Dometic Front Runner Series racks and says the Slimline II tray is manufactured in South Africa. ARB gives 3 years on the BASE Rack and its page does not say where it is made. Wedgetail Adventure carries 10 years and is made in Bayswater VIC.
Who each one suits
- ARB BASE Rack: buyers who want a welded platform with a published payload and clamp-on dovetail accessories, especially on an ARB canopy.
- Front Runner Slimline II: buyers who want a T-slot tray with slotted side rails and a wind deflector in the box, on a Front Runner mounting system.
- Wedgetail Adventure: buyers who want a rack made in Australia, sold as a complete solution for the vehicle, with one rating that holds on and off road.
Where the Australian-made option fits
Wedgetail Adventure is made in Bayswater, Victoria, Australia. The main frame is welded and the other parts bolt or click together, so it ships flat pack, and every one of the 134 Wedgetail stockists sells and fits it. For each brand head to head see Wedgetail vs ARB and Wedgetail vs Front Runner.
Questions people ask
Is the ARB BASE Rack or Front Runner Slimline II better?
Neither is better on every count. The BASE Rack is welded, lighter and publishes a 125 kg payload; the Slimline II tray has a longer 5 year warranty and a wind deflector included. Choose on the mount for your vehicle or canopy and the accessories you use.
What is the load rating of each?
ARB lists a 125 kg payload for the 1255 x 1285 mm BASE Rack, with each cross beam rated to 25 kg. Front Runner gives no numeric rating on the Slimline II tray page.
Is the Front Runner Slimline II welded?
No. The customer assembles it: the slats lock into a double-walled extrusion channel in the side profiles with locking nuts. The ARB BASE Rack is one-piece and robot welded.
Which is lighter?
The BASE Rack: ARB lists the 1255 x 1285 mm rack at 14.3 kg net, and Front Runner lists the 1345 x 1358 mm Slimline II tray at 22.31 kg approximate installed weight.
Which has the longer warranty?
Front Runner, with 5 years on all Front Runner Series racks against ARB's 3 years on the BASE Rack. Wedgetail Adventure carries 10 years.
Is either one made in Australia?
Front Runner says the Slimline II tray is manufactured in South Africa, and ARB's BASE Rack page does not say where it is made. Wedgetail racks are made in Bayswater, Victoria, Australia.
Will my ARB or Front Runner accessories fit a Wedgetail?
Yes. Third-party accessories fit a Wedgetail platform; some need a 10 mm spacer to clear the strength lip, and with that they fit. There is no Wedgetail spacer kit.
Sources
- dometic.com/en-au/product/slimline-ii-tray-1345-w-x-1358-l, read 14 October 2026
- dometic.com/en-au/product/toyota-land-cruiser-double-cab-bakkie-pick..., read 14 October 2026
- arb.com.au/product/1770070-arb-base-rack-1255-x-1285mm, read 14 October 2026