Roof Rack | Storage | Awning

Overview

There are a million and one ways to go about kitting your roof out.
I wanted something versatile that was quick to setup for general transporting of goods, day trips and longer camping trips.

There are a million and one ways to go about kitting your roof out. I wanted something versatile that was quick to setup for general transporting of goods, day trips and longer camping trips.
There is plenty of choice out there for Roof Top Tents (RTT) , and I was seriously close to purchasing one, but looking into weights and centre of gravity (when off road) got me to reconsider.
Rhino Rack and Toyota make it quite difficult to find the load ratings, but this is the general consensus form scouring the net:

• The roof load limit is 100kg
• Rhino Rack rate 75kg for offroad, and 100kg for bitumen roads.
• Weights include the weight or the roof rack and any brackets etc
• Be careful of weights as insurance may not cover you if you are overweight.

Granted, you could only add a RTT when you need it and remove after, but at 70kg+ it’s a lot of dicking around.
With Safety in mind, I worked out a base weight, so before travelling I could quickly ascertain how much extra I could add.

Base weights:

• Backbone = 7.9kg
• Pioneer Platform = 22.8kg
• Light Bar & Brackets = 3.45kg
• Awning & brackets = 11.75kg
• Ensuite tent = 7kg
• Maxtrax + mounting & pins = 8.9kg
• Shovel holder brackets = 1.35kg
• Solar panel (fixed) = 9.6kg

Total Weight: 72.75kg

Roof Rack

Why the Chosen setup? I really like the low-profile nature of the backbone / platform system. It’s a real pain in the bum when on the odd occasion needing to park in the city and being 100ml over to fit in 90% of the car parks. I am also impressed with ease of use of attaching the aftermarket accessories (Max trax holders / shovel holder). Throwing the kids bikes on the roof can be tied down easily in a minute. Very happy with the product as a whole.
The Pioneer cals '4 plank' for the internal planks, all together there are 6 'bars' to tie town.

Check out the manufacturer specs for the backbone

Storage

I was going for a sub 10 minute setup on the cheap. Between Bunnings and 4WD Supa Centre, the box and bag cost a little over $300.

The kings bag is great it can be placed over the solar panel. Carefully putting chairs etc in the bag has not damaged the panel in 4+ years.
One of the best things about this has been fitting the max trax mounts to the lid, this allows to keep a bunch of gear when the 6th seat is being used.

Awning

This is one instance where ‘cheap’ has held up reasonably well. As long as the guy ropes are pegged down in reasonable wind, you wont have an issue. No issue with this for 5 + years

Shower Tent

This is bloody brilliant. Handy tip, if your somewhere in public with mate who like to drink a bit.. set this up with an empty Gerry can with a funnel in it… brilliant.

Recovery Gear

Went with this as I wanted to mount the Maxtrax ‘east-west’ with easy access to the rear of the pioneer platform. This allows quick access whilst standing on the back of the car.

The shovel / Axe holder , is a Rhino Rack accessory for the Pioneer platform. Pretty sure this model is discontinued, but it’ been great as you have a lot on mounting flexibility.. In my case to be able to mount the shovel above the ensuite tent.

Parts / Supplier / Price