Technical answer
Roof tray or roof platform: what is the difference?
Short answer
A roof tray and a roof platform are the same thing: roof tray is the common Australian name for a flat rack that spans the roof, which Wedgetail calls a platform, as distinct from a cage or basket with raised sides and from a set of roof bars. Wedgetail Adventure, Core and Trade are all platforms, and most Wedgetail platforms are rated 100 or 150 kg dynamic per fitment, which is 350 or 525 kg static parked. Every one holds its full rating 100% off-road, and all are made in Bayswater, Victoria, Australia.
Facts from Wedgetail product data, updated .
- Roof tray
- Same thing as a roof platform
- Wedgetail name
- Platform (Adventure, Core, Trade)
- Most platforms
- 100 or 150 kg dynamic
- Off-road
- 100% of the rating, no derating
Tray, platform, cage, basket and bars compared
| Type | Also called | What it is | Best for | Wedgetail option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roof platform | Roof tray, flat rack, flat deck | A flat frame that spans the roof, with the load area level across its width | Touring gear, awning, recovery boards, rooftop tent, trade loads with accessories | Wedgetail Adventure, Wedgetail Core, Wedgetail Trade, plus Commercial Max and Oval Steel steel platforms |
| Cage or basket | Tradie cage, roof basket | A frame with raised side rails around the load area | Loose or bulky gear held in by the sides | Not a Wedgetail Adventure, Core or Trade design: those are flat platforms |
| Roof bars | Crossbars, load bars | Two or more bars across the roof, no deck | Long, light items such as a ladder or timber | Trade Max crossbar kits |
Why the names overlap
Brands label the same product differently. Rhino-Rack, for example, lists its Pioneer Platforms and its Steel Mesh Baskets under one Roof Trays heading on its Australian site, and Rola sells a platform called the Titan Tray. Wedgetail calls its flat racks platforms, including the Wedgetail Trade flat deck platform made for some vans. When you compare a roof tray with a roof platform, compare the specifications, not the name.
What to check, whatever it is called
- Dynamic and static rating: dynamic is what it carries driving, static what it holds parked; on every Wedgetail static is 3.5 x dynamic. See static vs dynamic load rating.
- Off-road rating: some brands publish a lower figure for unsealed roads. Every Wedgetail is 100% off-road rated to its full rating.
- Vehicle roof limit: the vehicle maker's limit applies as well as the rack rating. Use the lower figure.
- Size: Wedgetail lists one platform size per vehicle fitment. See what size platform you need.
- Accessories: the lip around a Wedgetail platform is there for strength; a 10 mm spacer lets third-party accessories fit.
- Wind deflector: included on every Wedgetail rack except Trade Max crossbar kits and the Technician ladder rack.
| Dynamic rating | Static rating (3.5 x) | Off-road | Solutions | Ranges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 kg | 105 kg | Yes, full rating | 1 | Trade Max |
| 35 kg | 123 kg | Yes, full rating | 5 | Trade Max and Wedgetail Adventure |
| 40 kg | 140 kg | Yes, full rating | 1 | Oval Steel |
| 50 kg | 175 kg | Yes, full rating | 11 | Trade Max |
| 60 kg | 210 kg | Yes, full rating | 2 | Oval Steel and Wedgetail Adventure |
| 70 kg | 245 kg | Yes, full rating | 5 | Commercial Max and Trade Max |
| 80 kg | 280 kg | Yes, full rating | 4 | Oval Steel, Trade Max and Wedgetail Adventure |
| 100 kg | 350 kg | Yes, full rating | 398 | Commercial Max, Oval Steel, Trade Max, Wedgetail Adventure, Wedgetail Core and Wedgetail Trade |
| 120 kg | 420 kg | Yes, full rating | 1 | Wedgetail Adventure |
| 150 kg | 525 kg | Yes, full rating | 205 | Commercial Max, Oval Steel, Trade Max, Wedgetail Adventure, Wedgetail Core and Wedgetail Trade |
| No published rating | 3 | Oval Steel and Wedgetail Adventure |
Platform or roof bars
A platform spreads the load and takes accessories anywhere across the deck; roof bars cost less and suit long, light loads. Platform rack vs roof bars goes through the choice, and the roof rack buying guide covers every step from mount points to fitting.
4WD roof trays
For a 4WD, the Wedgetail roof trays are the Wedgetail Adventure and Wedgetail Core platforms. Adventure is priced $1,525 to $5,905 RRP inc GST with a warranty of 10 years; Core is priced $1,400 to $1,695 with a warranty of 3 years. Wedgetail Adventure vs Wedgetail Core compares them, and the Pajero Sport guide lists that model's platforms.
Questions people ask
Is a roof tray the same as a roof platform?
Yes. Roof tray is the common Australian name for a flat roof platform; Wedgetail calls it a platform. A cage or basket has raised sides, and roof bars have no deck.
What is the difference between a roof tray and a roof cage or basket?
Sides. A tray or platform is flat across its width; a cage or basket has raised side rails that hold loose gear in. Wedgetail Adventure, Core and Trade are flat platforms.
Is a roof tray better than roof bars?
For mixed gear and accessories, yes; for long, light loads, bars cost less. A tray spreads the load and takes an awning, recovery boards or a rooftop tent. See platform rack vs roof bars.
How much weight can a roof tray carry?
Most Wedgetail platforms are rated 100 or 150 kg dynamic per fitment, which is 350 or 525 kg static parked, and every one holds its rating 100% off-road. The vehicle maker's roof limit also applies; use the lower figure.
Can a roof tray take a rooftop tent?
Yes. Platforms are the rooftop tent base: the tent goes against the dynamic rating on the move, and the tent plus the people in it against the static rating, which is 3.5 x dynamic.
Is there a roof tray for a Pajero Sport?
Yes. The 2015 on Pajero Sport wagon has a Wedgetail Adventure platform and an Oval Steel platform. See the Pajero Sport guide.
Do other brands' accessories fit a Wedgetail roof tray?
Yes, with a 10 mm spacer. The lip around the platform is there for strength, and the spacer clears it so third-party accessories fit.