A Buyer’s Guide to Roof Racks for Toyota Prado SUVs

The new Toyota Prado is enjoying stellar sales figures to take the leading spot among big SUVs, continuing the popularity of the outgoing model as a downsized, yet still capable version of the bigger Landcruiser. Owners praise its excellent off-road ability, grunty powertrains, balanced handling and ride comfort, tons of room in a three-row seating configuration, and the huge fuel tank for those long-distance trips to the bush.

The interior has also seen a complete makeover, with plusher materials, a neater and modernised dash layout and all the safety and convenience features you’ll ever want. And it’s not missing any aftermarket options of the older car, with additions like alloy and steel nudge and bull bars, towing kits or a sturdy roof rack Prado to boost protection and functionality. These add-ons are readily available as dealer options or can be sourced from dozens of aftermarket retailers.

Why Roof Racks?

With 900 litres of boot space with the third-row seats down, the Prado has one of the biggest boots on the market. But try to fit longer or bulkier gear, and you’ll be encroaching on valuable passenger space. Think cumbersome sporting gear like surfboards and kayaks or camping and off-roading essentials that are frankly too dirty or too dangerous to pack in the cabin.

With the long roof line, the Prado has enough space for a well-pointed and durable roof rack to extend the usability of your SUV. This also frees up clutter in the cabin and gets all items neatly organised. The benefits are extra overall storage, improved comfort and legroom, and a cleaner interior free of dust or scratches. Moreover, safety gets a boost with better weight distribution and improved visibility to the back.

Types of Roof Racks for Your Prado

• Platform roof racks – these have a large flat surface for hauling versatility. The extra space and high loading capacity mean platforms are equally capable of handling larger sports gear or camping equipment such as a full solar setup or pitching a full-sized rooftop tent. They also swallow spare tyres, jerry cans, and off-roading essentials like hi-lift jacks with room to spare.
• Baskets – choose baskets when carrying smaller items. These have raised side rails for extra protection against items falling off, while also relying on the same sturdy mesh metal bases seen in platforms. They’re especially popular with off-roaders and campers, with the rails doubling as a base for awnings.
• Rails – these are the least expensive option, suited for surf and snowboards, skis, bikes and other sporting gear. They can also handle luggage roof boxes in varying lengths and capacities if you rely on the Prado’s third row for extra seating.

Choosing the Right Rack for Your Needs

Consider how and where you’ll be using the roof rack Prado, the items you’ll be loading, overall build quality and materials and how easy the racks are to get on. This means racks are rated for weight, come in compatible sizes and pass safety and quality standards.

Load Capacity

Roof load capacities in the new and previous models of the Prado are limited to 100 kilos. This takes into account the weight of the rack and any loaded items. Here your choice of rack materials is also important. While all Prado roof racks are rated to carry more weight, ensure to go by Toyota’s official vehicle roof rating to prevent damage or mishaps.

Sizes

In terms of sizes, the Prado can easily handle roof racks over two metres long, so loading and transporting longer items is both easy and safe. Widths are limited to that of the roof channels, averaging 125 cm or enough space to fit a pair of bigger off-roading tyres, solar panels or a bigger roof-top tent.

Materials

Materials are the main factor that ensures durability, strength and overall looks. Choose aluminium for the lower weight, inherent rust resistance, and easy maintenance and cleaning. Full-sized aluminium Toyota Prado roof racks average under 30 kilos, leaving owners ample room for heavier gear.

And the fact they handle water and inclement weather means they’ll last in frequent trips to the beach or daily rounds in humid climates. Opt for steel racks if strength is your main concern, especially when using the Prado off-road. Look for coated steel and zinc-plated mounting hardware to prevent chipping, staining and rust buildup.

Easy Installation

Lastly, choose rack builders and models that promise simple installation or are easy to remove when they’re not needed. Most aftermarket variants fit directly to the factory rain gutter channels and are supplied with coated steel brackets and rubber inserts. These resist rust and damage, limit vibrations on rough roads and protect the paint. Installation is a relatively straightforward DIY job with kits packaged with supplied installation tools and instruction manuals. You can also do with a quick visit to a professional installer to ensure a cleaner fit and finish.