Comparison
Wedgetail vs Yakima LockNLoad Platform
Short answer
The biggest differences between a Wedgetail Adventure platform and the Yakima LockNLoad Platform are the off-road rating and where the rack is made. Every Wedgetail is rated 100% off-road to its full dynamic rating (100 or 150 kg dynamic on most platforms) with static = 3.5 x dynamic, while Yakima's load ratings apply to well-formed sealed roads and a reduction is subtracted off-road depending on the mount. Wedgetail racks are made in Bayswater, Victoria, Australia; Yakima's product page does not state where the LockNLoad Platform is made. Yakima offers a limited lifetime warranty that excludes off-road use where not explicitly permitted, against a warranty of 10 years on Wedgetail Adventure.
Wedgetail figures from Wedgetail product data; competitor figures from the linked sources, updated .
Side by side
| Feature | Wedgetail Adventure | Yakima LockNLoad Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Off-road rating | 100% of the dynamic rating, no derating | Load ratings apply to well-formed sealed roads; off-road an off-road reduction percentage is subtracted, set by product and mount type (the chart lists 0%, 20%, 33% and 50%)Source: yakima.com.au |
| Dynamic rating | Per vehicle fitment: 100 or 150 kg dynamic on most platforms | 100 kg to 150 kg product load rating for LockNLoad on RuggedLine (refer to product instructions per SKU)Source: yakima.com.au |
| Static rating | 3.5 x dynamic (350 or 525 kg static) | Static = 3 x dynamic (confirm with your vehicle maker)Source: yakima.com.au |
| Construction | Main frame welded; other parts bolt or click together; ships flat-pack | Sold fully assembled, or as a separate unassembled versionSource: yakima.com.au |
| Material | Powder coated aluminium with glass reinforced nylon | Powder-coated, corrosion-resistant aluminiumSource: yakima.com.au |
| Warranty | 10 years (Core 3 years, Trade 5 years) | Limited Lifetime on roof racks, mounts and accessories; use on unsealed roads or off-road terrain where not explicitly permitted is not coveredSource: yakima.com.au |
| Made in | Bayswater, Victoria, Australia | Not stated on the product page; Yakima describes the RuggedLine mounting system as designed and tested in AustraliaSource: yakima.com.au |
| Price | $1,525 to $5,905 RRP inc GST per complete vehicle fitment | $1,250 (1530 x 1250 mm, assembled, SKU 8005076)Source: yakima.com.au |
| Vehicle mounting | Included: each solution is made to suit a vehicle | Vehicle mounting is a separate product: LockNLoad RuggedLine platform-to-vehicle mounting system, $550Source: yakima.com.au |
| Wind deflector | Included | Integrated wind deflectorSource: yakima.com.au |
| Accessory fitting | Third-party accessories fit; some need a 10 mm spacer to clear the strength lip | 7 east-west slats with 21 mm accessory slots, plus slots on the underside of all perimeter sidesSource: yakima.com.au |
| Where to buy | 134 stockists, every one sells and fits |
Off-road: sealed-road ratings vs one rating everywhere
Yakima's load rating document says its ratings apply to well-formed sealed roads, and that once you leave sealed roads you subtract an off-road reduction set by the product and mount type. On a Wedgetail, the dynamic rating listed for your vehicle is the figure on sealed and unsealed roads alike: there is no second, lower off-road number to work out.
If you carry a rooftop tent, recovery gear or water off the bitumen, check the reduced figure for the exact LockNLoad mount on your vehicle before you compare. See static vs dynamic ratings and the 3.5 x rule for how the two numbers relate.
Static rating
Yakima works out a static rating as 3 x the dynamic rating and asks you to confirm it with your vehicle maker. Wedgetail publishes static = 3.5 x dynamic, so a Wedgetail platform gives 350 or 525 kg static parked, which matters when people sleep in a rooftop tent.
Price: platform only vs a complete fitment
Yakima lists the LockNLoad Platform on its own; the vehicle mounting (for example the LockNLoad RuggedLine system) is a separate product. A Wedgetail price is for a complete solution made to suit a vehicle, with the mounting and wind deflector included. Compare the full kit for your own vehicle, for example the BYD Shark 6 Adventure platform against a LockNLoad Platform plus its mounts.
Accessory compatibility
The lip around a Wedgetail 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; the detail is in do third-party accessories fit a Wedgetail.
Who makes Wedgetail
Wedgetail is a brand created by Tradesman Roof Racks Pty Ltd, established 1978 and made at 7-9 Newcastle Road, Bayswater VIC 3153. The Wedgetail facts page lists ratings, warranty and materials per range, and the BYD Shark 6 guide shows every Wedgetail option for that ute.
Questions people ask
Are Yakima roof racks good for 4WDs in Australia?
It depends on the load you carry off the bitumen: Yakima's load ratings apply to well-formed sealed roads and reduce off-road depending on the mount. A Wedgetail is rated 100% off-road to its full dynamic rating, with no derating.
Is the Yakima LockNLoad Platform made in Australia?
Yakima's product page does not say where the LockNLoad Platform is made; it describes the RuggedLine mounting system as designed and tested in Australia. Wedgetail racks are made in Bayswater, Victoria, Australia.
Which has the longer warranty, Wedgetail or Yakima?
Yakima offers a limited lifetime warranty on roof racks, mounts and accessories, but it does not cover use on unsealed roads or off-road terrain where not explicitly permitted. Wedgetail warranties are 10 years on Adventure, 3 years on Core and 5 years on Trade.
What does a Yakima LockNLoad Platform cost compared with a Wedgetail?
Yakima lists the 1530 x 1250 mm assembled LockNLoad Platform at $1,250, with vehicle mounting sold separately. Wedgetail Adventure is $1,525 to $5,905 RRP inc GST for a complete fitment made to suit your vehicle.
Do Yakima or other third-party accessories fit a Wedgetail platform?
Yes, third-party accessories fit a Wedgetail; some need a 10 mm spacer to clear the lip around the platform, and with that they fit. Check the clamp or bracket on each accessory before you buy.
Where can I buy and get a Wedgetail fitted?
From 134 stockists across Australia, every one of which sells and fits, or at the factory in Bayswater VIC; see where to buy.
Sources
- yakima.com.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/YAKIMA-Load-Rating-Documen..., read 14 October 2026
- yakima.com.au/collections/platforms, read 14 October 2026
- yakima.com.au/collections/platforms/products/locknload-platform-new, read 14 October 2026
- yakima.com.au/pages/warranty-disclaimer, read 14 October 2026
- yakima.com.au/collections/platforms/products/locknload-ruggedline, read 14 October 2026