Use case
Roof rack for carrying surfboards on a ute or 4WD
Short answer
No dedicated surf carrier: boards strap straight to a Wedgetail platform or Trade Max bars using tie-down eyelets and cam straps. Surfboards are carried on the racks themselves; add your own board pads, then strap through the eyelets on a platform or around the bars. Every Wedgetail rack keeps its full rating off-road, so a sandy beach track does not lower the figure.
Specs from Wedgetail product data, updated .
- Surf carrier
- None: boards strap to the rack
- Tie-down
- Tie-down eyelets plus cam buckle straps
- Off-road
- 100% of the rating, no derating
- Third-party surf racks
- Fit a platform with a 10 mm spacer
The shortlist
| Pick | Why | Rating (dynamic) | RRP inc GST | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wedgetail Adventure platform | Platform with tie-down eyelets for boards and other gear | 100 or 150 kg on most fitments, 100% off-road | $1,525 to $5,905 | 58 models |
| Trade Max bars | Crossbars for a ute when boards are the main load | 50, 70 or 100 kg, 100% off-road | $305 to $1,175 | 10 models |
| Wedgetail Core platform | Lower priced platform, fewer vehicles | 100 or 150 kg, 100% off-road | $1,400 to $1,695 | 10 models |
| Wedgetail Trade platform | Van platform with its own eyelet kit | 100 or 150 kg, 100% off-road | $1,925 to $2,570 | 20 models |
Top pickWedgetail Adventure platform
A platform for utes, 4WD wagons and canopies. Boards lie on pads on the deck and strap through the tie-down eyelets, and the same platform carries recovery gear, an awning or a rooftop tent when the boards are off.
- Rating
- 100 or 150 kg dynamic (350 or 525 kg static) on most fitments, 100% off-road
- Warranty
- 10 years
- RRP inc GST
- $1,525 to $5,905
- Vehicles
- 58 models, 138 solutions
- Add
- Tiedown Eyelets Pack Of 4 $60
- Add
- Cambuckle Strap 4 Pack 1.2m Long $30
Ute, bars onlyTrade Max bars
Crossbar systems at a lower price than a platform. Boards sit on padded bars and strap around them. Trade Max crossbar kits do not include a wind deflector.
- Rating
- 50, 70 or 100 kg dynamic (175, 245 or 350 kg static), 100% off-road
- Warranty
- 5 years
- RRP inc GST
- $305 to $1,175
- Vehicles
- 10 models, 15 solutions
- Add
- Cambuckle Strap 4 Pack 1.2m Long $30
Lower price platformWedgetail Core platform
The lower priced Wedgetail platform, listed for fewer vehicles. Same rating rules as Wedgetail Adventure: 100% off-road and static 3.5 times dynamic.
- Rating
- 100 or 150 kg dynamic (350 or 525 kg static), 100% off-road
- Warranty
- 3 years
- RRP inc GST
- $1,400 to $1,695
- Vehicles
- 10 models, 11 solutions
- Add
- Cambuckle Strap 4 Pack 1.2m Long $30
If you drive a vanWedgetail Trade platform
The trade platform for vans. Boards strap through the Wedgetail Trade eyelet kit, and the deck can take boards alongside other loads.
- Rating
- 100 or 150 kg dynamic (350 or 525 kg static), 100% off-road
- Warranty
- 5 years
- RRP inc GST
- $1,925 to $2,570
- Vehicles
- 20 models, 57 solutions
- Add
- Eyelet Kit (4 Pieces) $55
- Add
- Cambuckle Strap 4 Pack 1.2m Long $30
Which setup for your vehicle
| Vehicle | Wedgetail rack | How the boards attach | Add |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dual cab ute, cab roof | Wedgetail Adventure or Wedgetail Core platform | Board pads on the deck, cam straps through tie-down eyelets | Tie-down eyelets, cam buckle straps |
| Ute with a canopy | Wedgetail Adventure canopy platform (ARB, EGR Gen 2, Maxliner Venture, RSI Evo, Utemaster Centurion or Ascent canopies) | Board pads on the deck, cam straps through tie-down eyelets | Tie-down eyelets, cam buckle straps |
| Work ute | Trade Max bars | Pads on the bars, cam straps around the bars | Cam buckle straps |
| 4WD wagon | Wedgetail Adventure platform | Board pads on the deck, cam straps through tie-down eyelets | Tie-down eyelets, cam buckle straps |
| Van | Wedgetail Trade platform | Board pads on the deck, cam straps through the eyelets | Eyelet kit, cam buckle straps |
How to strap boards to the rack
- Fit board pads to the deck or the bars. Wedgetail does not sell surf pads, so use third-party pads or wraps.
- Lay the boards deck down, fins up, with the biggest board on the bottom.
- Run a cam buckle strap over the boards at each end of the stack and through the eyelets (platform) or around the bar (bars). Pull it firm by hand; a ratchet strap can crush a board.
- Twist each strap once along its free length and tuck the tail away to cut flapping; see how to stop wind noise.
- Check the straps after the first few kilometres and again after any sandy track.
Third-party surf racks on a Wedgetail platform
The lip around a Wedgetail platform is there for strength. Some third-party accessories, surf racks among them, are harder to fit because of it; a 10 mm spacer clears the lip, and with that they fit. Wedgetail does not supply the spacer. See third-party accessories and the 10 mm spacer.
Cab roof, canopy or bars
- Cab roof platform: suits a short stack of boards and keeps the tray free.
- Canopy platform: puts the boards over the tray; Wedgetail fits ARB, EGR Gen 2, Maxliner Venture, RSI Evo, Utemaster Centurion and Ascent canopies. A canopy not on the list is not fitted; see which canopies Wedgetail fits.
- Trade Max bars: the bars only, for when boards are the main load. No wind deflector with Trade Max crossbar kits; every other Wedgetail rack includes one.
- Your vehicle's roof limit applies as well as the rack rating. Use the lower figure.
Questions people ask
Does Wedgetail make a surfboard carrier?
No. Surfboards are carried on the racks themselves: lay them on board pads on a platform or Trade Max bars and strap them down with cam buckle straps.
Platform or bars for surfboards?
Either works. Bars suit a ute that mostly carries boards; a platform suits boards plus camping or recovery gear, and takes tie-down eyelets for the straps.
Which straps should I use?
Cam buckle straps, pulled firm by hand. Wedgetail sells a cam buckle strap 4 pack and longer tie-down straps; avoid ratchet straps on boards.
Can I fit a third-party surf rack?
Yes, on a Wedgetail platform with a 10 mm spacer to clear the strength lip; with that, third-party accessories fit. Wedgetail does not supply the spacer; see third-party accessories.
Can I carry boards on a canopy?
Yes, if Wedgetail lists a platform for your canopy: ARB, EGR Gen 2, Maxliner Venture, RSI Evo, Utemaster Centurion or Ascent. A canopy not on the list is not fitted.
Is there a kayak carrier too?
No. There is no Wedgetail kayak carrier. Commercial Max and Oval Steel take a removable boat roller pair; see carrying a tinnie or kayak.