The photos in this article are possibly the first photos on the internet of the Rhino-Rack Pioneer Alloy Platform Rack System fitted to a Toyota Prado 120 series. I could not find any photos on the internet of the roof rack fitted to a Toyota Prado at the time I was making my purchase decision.
The system is made up of the Pioneer Platform (part number 42102) and leg set RLCP03.
I had the roof rack supplied and fitted by Roof Racks Galore at Rocklea in Brisbane. Apparently, at the time I ordered the roof rack, there were none available in Australia. The first shipment of them had sold out quickly, so my roof rack was in a container on a ship heading to Australia. It was only a matter of days before the roof rack had been unloaded, passed through customs and sent to Brisbane. I had the roof rack fitted only the day before our next camping trip!
So far I am very happy with the Rhino-Rack Pioneer Alloy Platform Rack System. The roof rack sits low on my Toyota Prado and keeps the overall vehicle height well below 2 m, enabling the car to fit in most shopping centre car parks which seem to mostly have clearance of around 2.05 m to 2.10 m. The low height also allows me some room for a small suspension lift and fitting slightly larger tyres on my Toyota Prado, while still staying under the magic 2 m.
Rhino-Rack Pioneer Alloy Platform Rack System fitted to Toyota Prado
Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform Alloy Rack System from above
Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform Alloy Rack System underneath drivers’ side front corner (yes, that is rain on the car)
Below rear drivers’ side view of the Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform Alloy Rack System
Channel to fit accessories to the Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform Alloy Rack System
Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform Alloy Rack System from the front
The day after the Pioneer Platform Rack was fitted, we headed off on a camping trip to Pottsville North Holiday Park in northern New South Wales. I loaded the roof rack with a Black Wolf Turbo Plus 300 tent, two Burke & Wills Ironbark swags and a couple of camping chairs. The fully loaded weight on the roof, including the 25 kg Rhino-Rack Pioneer Alloy Platform Rack System, was around 75 kg. I used several cam-buckle tie downs to secure the load. Nothing moved during my 130 km trip, which included a couple of sections of highway at 110 km/h.
Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform Alloy Rack System loaded with camping gear
For my purposes, the Rhino-Rack Pioneer Alloy Platform Rack System is perfect.
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Rex,
great read. nice pictures.
have forwarded the link to our marketing dept.
thanks again
Hi, nice articel and pics. I’m interested in this rack as well. Wondering if you noticed any wind noise and any change in fuel economy? Cheers.
Joe
I have only had the roof rack on the car for a week, so have not had a chance to assess fuel economy.
Around town, I have not noticed any increase in wind noise from the unloaded roof rack. At 100 km/h, there is a small amount of wind noise from the platform rack, but it is still quieter than the small amount of noise from my Cooper Tires ATRs. I will post an update when I have had a chance to drive further at highway speeds with no load on the roof racks.
Rex.
Hi, Just had same fitted to my 120series Prado that has a 2″ lift already fitted. The overall height of vehicle with after fitment of pioneer rack is 199cm. A whole 1cm under the magical 2m mark. Haven’t taken it under a 2m clearance bar in a car park yet.
Thanks Conor. I am planning to give my Prado a 2″ lift as well, so I am pleased to know that it is still under the magic 2 metres.
Awesome! Looks really tidy! Did you have the factory rails removed?! And what is the dynamic roof weight limitation? Good stuff!
Hi Ingo
I am very happy with the Rhino-Rack Pioneer Alloy Platform Rack System fitted to my Toyota Prado. It looks neat and has a low profile.
My Prado did not have factory rails fitted. However, the Rhino-Rack mounts on the factory mounting points, so if you have factory rails, they will have to be removed.
The Rhino-Rack platform rack is rated to 100 kg. My Toyota Prado handbook says that the roof load should not exceed 80 kg, with or without the factory rails. I have seen some posts on the internet suggesting that if you remove the factory rails, the total rated load is 100 kg for the Prado 120 series.
The Rhino-Rack platform rack weighs 25 kg. I play it safe and only load my Prado to 80 kg on the roof. That means I carry 55 kg up there. It is easy to exceed that when I carry a 33 kg BlackWolf tent up top!
I have travelled at 110 km/h for extended periods with the rack fully loaded without any problems.
Rex.