Comparison
Rhino-Rack Pioneer vs Front Runner Slimline II
Short answer
Neither wins on every count: on a LandCruiser 79 dual cab the Rhino-Rack Pioneer 6 costs $1,329 for the platform plus $679 for its gutter-clamp Backbone (RRP inc GST), while the Front Runner Slimline II is a complete $1,889 kit on six gutter legs with a T-slot tray. Neither maker lists a load rating on these kit pages, and Rhino-Rack works out a separate off-road rating from each product's fitting instructions. 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 on a LandCruiser 79 dual cab
| Feature | Rhino-Rack Pioneer 6 + Backbone | Front Runner Slimline II kit | Wedgetail Adventure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,329.00 platform (62101F) plus $679.00 Backbone (RTLB4), RRP inc GST eachSource: rhinorack.com | $1,889.00 (complete kit: tray, 6 gutter mount legs, wind deflector)Source: dometic.com | $1,310 to $5,905 RRP inc GST (139 fitments) |
| Dynamic load rating | 100 or 150 kg dynamic on most fitments, 100% off-road, no derating | ||
| Off-road rating | Separate off-road rating, calculated with the formula in each product's fitting instructionsSource: rhinorack.com | 100% of the dynamic rating, no derating | |
| Static rating | 3.5 x dynamic (100 or 150 kg dynamic becomes 350 or 525 kg static on most platforms) | ||
| Weight | 18.6 kg (platform only, 62101F)Source: rhinorack.com | 28 kg approximate installed weight (complete kit)Source: dometic.com | Listed on each fitment's product page |
| Height | 45 mm platform height (legs or Backbone extra)Source: rhinorack.com | 50 mm tray plus 155 mm legsSource: dometic.com | Installed height not published yet; measure the fitted rack |
| Mounting | Backbone clamps to the factory guttersSource: rhinorack.com | Six gutter mount legs (3 pairs of LASS103); no drillingSource: dometic.com | Mounting kit made to suit each vehicle |
| Accessory system | East/West mounting channels, no channel apertures, integrated wiring within all extrusionsSource: rhinorack.com | T-slots on the tray slats and edge profiles take standard 8 mm bolts; more than 55 rack accessories and mountsSource: dometic.com | Wedgetail Adventure accessories; third-party accessories fit, some with a 10 mm spacer to clear the strength lip |
| Construction | Platform supplied unassembled (flat pack), 5 planksSource: rhinorack.com | Modular Slimline II tray on 6 gutter mount legs; no drillingSource: dometic.com | Main frame welded; other parts bolt or click together; ships flat pack |
| Material | Platform: alloy components with a scuff-resistant coatingSource: rhinorack.com | Black epoxy powder-coated T6 aluminium and high strength steelSource: dometic.com | Powder coated aluminium, glass reinforced nylon |
| Wind deflector | Detachable wind fairing inserts in the leading edgeSource: rhinorack.com | Wind deflector included in the kit (named in the kit description)Source: dometic.com | Included |
| Warranty | 5 years on Pioneer platformsSource: rhinorack.com | 5 years ("All Dometic Front Runner Series racks are backed by a 5-year warranty")Source: dometic.com | 10 years (5 years on 1) |
| Made in | China (country of origin listed for the platform, 62101F)Source: rhinorack.com | South Africa (Dometic: "The Slimline II tray is manufactured in South Africa", stated on its Slimline II tray page)Source: dometic.com | Bayswater, Victoria, Australia |
Price: compare the whole kit
Rhino-Rack prices the Pioneer 6 platform and the 79 Series Backbone as two parts, $1,329 and $679 RRP inc GST. Front Runner sells the Slimline II for the 79 dual cab as one kit at $1,889 with the legs and wind deflector included. A Wedgetail price is for a complete solution made to suit the vehicle: the Toyota Landcruiser 79 Dual Cab Wedgetail Adventure Platform page shows its rating, size and price. Across the range, Wedgetail Adventure is $1,525 to $5,905 RRP inc GST.
Load and off-road ratings
Neither the Rhino-Rack kit page nor the Front Runner kit page lists a load rating for the LandCruiser 79 dual cab. Rhino-Rack defines a separate off-road rating and tells buyers to work it out with the formula in the product's fitting instructions, so check that figure for anything carried off the bitumen. Whichever rack you choose, the vehicle maker's roof limit still applies.
Every Wedgetail is rated 100% off-road to its full dynamic rating. Wedgetail Adventure platforms are rated 100 or 150 kg dynamic on most fitments, and the static rating for a parked rooftop tent with people in it 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 |
Accessories and mounting
- Rhino-Rack Pioneer 6: East/West mounting channels, no channel apertures, and wiring can run inside the extrusions. On the 79 dual cab it sits on a stainless steel Backbone that clamps to the factory gutters.
- Front Runner Slimline II: T-slots on the tops and bottoms of the slats and edge profiles take standard 8 mm bolts, and Front Runner lists more than 55 rack accessories and mounts. The 79 dual cab kit stands on six gutter mount legs with no drilling.
- Wedgetail Adventure: a mounting kit made for each vehicle. 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.
Weight and height
Rhino-Rack lists the 1500 x 1380 mm Pioneer 6 platform at 18.6 kg and the 79 Series Backbone at 7.3 kg as separate parts; the platform is 45 mm high before the Backbone. Front Runner lists the complete 79 dual cab kit at about 28 kg installed, with a 50 mm tray on 155 mm legs. Rack weight counts against the vehicle's roof limit, so subtract it before you load.
Where the Australian-made option fits
If you want the rack made in Australia with one rating that holds on and off road, Wedgetail Adventure is the third option. 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 a head to head with each brand see Wedgetail vs Rhino-Rack and Wedgetail vs Front Runner.
Questions people ask
Is Front Runner or Rhino-Rack better for a 4WD in Australia?
Neither is better on every count. On a LandCruiser 79 dual cab the Front Runner Slimline II is a complete $1,889 kit with a T-slot tray, while the Rhino-Rack Pioneer 6 and Backbone are $1,329 plus $679 and add East/West channels and internal wiring. Choose on mounting, accessories and the ratings for your vehicle.
Where are the Rhino-Rack Pioneer and Front Runner Slimline II made?
Rhino-Rack lists China as the country of origin for the Pioneer 6 platform, and Dometic states the Slimline II tray is manufactured in South Africa. Wedgetail racks are made in Bayswater, Victoria, Australia.
Which is lighter on a LandCruiser 79 dual cab?
Front Runner lists its complete 79 dual cab kit at about 28 kg installed. Rhino-Rack lists the parts separately: 18.6 kg for the 1500 x 1380 mm Pioneer 6 platform and 7.3 kg for the 79 Series Backbone.
Can I run a rooftop tent on either one?
Check the static and off-road rating for your exact kit and vehicle first: neither maker lists them on these 79 dual cab kit pages. On a Wedgetail platform the static rating is 3.5 x dynamic (350 or 525 kg static on most platforms) and the dynamic rating holds off-road.
Do they fit a LandCruiser 79 without drilling?
Yes. Front Runner's 79 dual cab kit mounts on six gutter mount legs with no drilling, and Rhino-Rack's 79 Series Backbone clamps to the factory gutters.
Which has the longer warranty?
They match at 5 years: Rhino-Rack gives 5 years on Pioneer platforms and Front Runner states a 5-year warranty on its racks. Wedgetail Adventure carries 10 years.
Will my Rhino-Rack 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.
Sources
- rhinorack.com/en-au/product/JC-01885, read 14 October 2026
- rhinorack.com/en-au/load-rating-calculator, read 14 October 2026
- rhinorack.com/en-au/warranty-terms, read 14 October 2026
- rhinorack.com/en-au/product/62101F, read 14 October 2026
- rhinorack.com/en-au/blog/2020/09/30/toyota-landcruiser-79-series-backbone, read 14 October 2026
- rhinorack.com/en-au/product/RTLB4, read 14 October 2026
- dometic.com/en-au/product/toyota-land-cruiser-double-cab-bakkie-pick..., read 14 October 2026
- dometic.com/en-za/product/slimline-ii-tray-1345-w-x-1358-l, read 14 October 2026