Front Runner vs Rhino-Rack: Which Roof Rack Is Best for Your 70 Series? (2026)
A platform roof rack is one of the biggest visual and practical upgrades you can make to a 70 Series, and two names come up again and again: Front Runner and Rhino-Rack. Both are quality brands with loyal followings, so this isn't about good versus bad. It's about matching the right rack to how you load and use your truck. You can see the options that fit your 70 Series in our 70 Series roof rack range if you'd rather just start browsing. Below we compare where each brand came from, how their platforms differ, and which suits your build.
1. Two Strong Platform Rack Brands
Front Runner and Rhino-Rack are both proven platform-rack makers with deep off-road pedigree, so whichever you choose you're getting a quality, well-supported rack designed for hard touring. The differences below are about design philosophy, weight, mounting and the accessory ecosystem, not about whether one will do the job. Both will carry your gear, awning and roof-top tent for years. It's worth knowing where each brand comes from, because it shapes how the racks are built and supported.
2. Rhino-Rack: Australian-Founded, Pioneer Platform
Rhino-Rack was founded in 1992 by Rich Cropley, with its first racks sold in Haberfield, New South Wales. The company describes its gear as "born and proven in Australia," and by 1998 it was selling to adventurers in over 60 countries. It designed and launched its now-iconic Pioneer platform range in 2010, and the Pioneer went on to win a Gold Award at the 2020 Good Design Awards. In 2021 Rhino-Rack was acquired by the US-based Clarus Corporation, though it retains its Australian design roots and a large local presence.
For the 70 Series, the standout is the Pioneer platform combined with Rhino-Rack's Backbone system. Backbone anchors the platform to the vehicle's structural mounting points to carry heavier loads more securely, which is a real advantage for owners running a roof-top tent or a fully loaded touring setup. Add a big Australian dealer and spare-parts network, and Rhino-Rack is an easy brand to live with here.
3. Front Runner: South African-Made Slimline II
Front Runner Outfitters was founded in 1999 in Johannesburg, South Africa, by a group of friends with backgrounds in design, technology and off-road travel, after finding existing gear couldn't survive their trips. Its flagship is the Slimline II roof rack, an all-aluminium slatted tray that Front Runner says is manufactured in South Africa from corrosion-free aluminium, with all-aluminium or stainless mounting hardware. Front Runner is now part of the Dometic group.
The Slimline II is known for being light, low-profile and highly modular. Front Runner states the tray is available in a large number of sizes and supports a big catalogue of bolt-on accessories, so you can build the rack around exactly what you carry. For a 70 Series owner who wants a clean, flat, minimalist platform and a deep accessory ecosystem, the Slimline II is a strong pick.
4. Front Runner vs Rhino-Rack: Side by Side
Here's the quick head-to-head for a 70 Series. Neither is "wrong," it's about what matters most to you.
| Front Runner | Rhino-Rack | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1999, Johannesburg, South Africa | 1992, Sydney, Australia |
| Owned by | Dometic group | Clarus Corporation (since 2021) |
| Flagship platform | Slimline II slatted tray | Pioneer platform (+ Backbone system) |
| Material | All-aluminium, made in South Africa | Aluminium platform, Australian-designed |
| Strength focus | Light, rigid aluminium tray | Backbone anchors to vehicle for heavy loads |
| Look | Flat, low-profile slat tray | Low-profile platform, mesh or solid floor |
| Accessories | Large modular bolt-on ecosystem | Large range plus local support |
| Australian support | Imported, widely distributed | Large local dealer & spares network |
| Best for | Lightweight, modular, minimalist builds | Heavy touring, RTT loads, local backup |
5. Design and Build
The core difference is in the platform design. Front Runner's Slimline II is a slatted aluminium tray with integrated channels running through it, so accessories bolt directly into the slats wherever you need them. It's light, rigid and very clean-looking, and the modularity is a big part of its appeal. Rhino-Rack's Pioneer is a low-profile platform available with mesh or solid floors, engineered as a system with its own mounting hardware and, on many vehicles, the Backbone reinforcement that ties the rack into the vehicle's structure. Both are well-made; Front Runner leans into lightweight modularity, while Rhino-Rack leans into an integrated, heavily-supported system.
6. Strength and Load Carrying
Both platforms will carry a serious touring load, but they get there differently. Front Runner's all-aluminium construction keeps the Slimline II light while staying rigid, which owners value for fuel economy and easier handling up high. Rhino-Rack's Backbone system is the differentiator for heavy work: by anchoring the Pioneer platform to the vehicle's mounting points rather than relying on the roof skin alone, it's designed to handle heavier static loads such as a roof-top tent with occupants. If maximum load security for an RTT or a fully-loaded rack is the priority on your 70 Series, the Backbone option is worth a close look; if you want the lightest tidy platform, the Slimline II shines.
7. Accessories and Ecosystem
This is a strength for both. Front Runner is built around modularity, with the Slimline II supporting a large catalogue of bolt-on accessories, from tables and brackets to tent and awning mounts, that fix straight into the tray's slats. Rhino-Rack also offers a broad accessory range across awnings, roof-top tents, recovery-gear mounts and more, backed by a large Australian dealer network that makes sourcing parts and brackets easy. Whichever way you go, you'll be able to build the rack out over time; Front Runner's edge is the slick slat-mounting system, Rhino-Rack's is the local availability.
8. Fitment on the 70 Series
Both brands make vehicle-specific mounting solutions for the 70 Series, so the platform sits at the right height and anchors correctly for your body style, whether that's a 76 Wagon, a 78 Troop Carrier, or a 79 cab. The mounting approach differs (gutter mounts, foot rails or the Backbone system depending on brand and vehicle), so the most important step is confirming the correct mount kit for your exact model and roof type before ordering. If you're unsure which platform size and mount suits your truck and your load, that's exactly what we can help match.
9. Which Roof Rack Should You Choose?
For owners chasing the lightest, cleanest, most modular platform, Front Runner's Slimline II is hard to beat: the flat slat-tray look is popular for a reason, it's light up high, and the accessory system is slick. It suits minimalist touring builds and anyone who loves the flexibility of bolting gear straight into the tray.
For owners who value Australian design heritage, strong local support, and maximum load security, Rhino-Rack is the natural pick. The Pioneer platform is a proven, award-winning design, and the Backbone system gives real peace of mind under a heavy roof-top tent or a big touring load, backed by an easy-to-reach local dealer network.
And if you're torn? A lot of it comes down to the look you want and how you load the roof. There's no wrong answer here, so choose the platform whose design, weight and support best match your 70 Series and the way you travel.
10. The Verdict
Both Front Runner and Rhino-Rack build excellent platform racks that will serve a 70 Series well for years. Front Runner brings a light, modular, South African-made aluminium slat tray with a slick accessory system; Rhino-Rack brings Australian design heritage, a proven award-winning Pioneer platform, the Backbone strength option and strong local support. Match the rack to how you load your truck and the look you're after, get the right mount for your model, and either way you'll have a platform ready for the long haul.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Front Runner or Rhino-Rack better for a 70 Series?
Neither is better outright. Front Runner's Slimline II is a light, modular, all-aluminium slat tray that suits minimalist builds. Rhino-Rack's Pioneer platform offers Australian design heritage, strong local support and the Backbone system for heavier loads. Choose based on the look you want, how much you carry, and whether local backup matters to you.
Where are Front Runner and Rhino-Rack made?
Front Runner says its Slimline II tray is manufactured in South Africa from corrosion-free aluminium; the company was founded in Johannesburg in 1999 and is now part of Dometic. Rhino-Rack was founded in Sydney in 1992 and describes its gear as born and proven in Australia; it was acquired by the US-based Clarus Corporation in 2021.
What is the Rhino-Rack Backbone system?
Backbone is Rhino-Rack's mounting system that anchors the Pioneer platform to the vehicle's structural mounting points rather than relying on the roof skin alone. It's designed to carry heavier static loads more securely, which makes it popular for roof-top tents and fully-loaded touring setups.
Which is lighter?
Front Runner's Slimline II is known for its light, all-aluminium construction, which owners value for handling and fuel economy. Rhino-Rack's Pioneer is also a low-profile platform; actual weight depends on the platform size and whether the Backbone system is fitted. Compare the specific sizes for your 70 Series.
Do both fit the 76 Wagon and 78 Troop Carrier?
Yes. Both brands make vehicle-specific mounts for 70 Series variants including the 76 Wagon, 78 Troop Carrier and 79 cab. Always confirm the correct platform size and mounting kit for your exact model and roof type before ordering.
Can I fit a roof-top tent to either?
Yes, both platforms support roof-top tents and awnings. For heavy static loads like an RTT with occupants, Rhino-Rack's Backbone option is designed to add mounting strength. Whichever you choose, check the platform's rated capacity and your vehicle's roof load limit.
