Toyota is killing it in the Australian car market. There’s nothing that can compete with Toyota in the large SUV sector, with the Landcruiser reigning supreme, nor if you want a ute, where the Hilux is wiping the floor with the competition. Between the two there is the Prado, a downsized Landcruiser that doesn’t compromise on its bigger brother’s off-roading capabilities or interior space. A bonus, considering it’s almost half the price. The cash you save can help in accessorising your rig any way you like.
Upgrade Your Prado with Accessories
Toyota offers OEM accessories in a range of categories. If you’re getting your Prado straight from the showroom, haggle a few extras before the handshake.
Since it’s the prime example of a family car (with 7 seats in higher trims) and for bigger families, you’ll want all the available space you can get. Here, OEM racks are a sound choice, that is if dealers are willing to throw them in for free. If not, there’s a huge range of aftermarket roof racks primed especially for the Prado. Some are also made right here, so you know you’re getting quality as well as value.
Roof racks are a starting point when going off-road. Suspension upgrades, some basic protective and recovery gear, beefed up filters and snorkels, and a few extras like oil catch cans and diff breathers go a long way in tough terrain. When on sealed roads, look for side steps for easier entry and exit, or towing mirrors when towing a caravan or trailer. These and dozens of other items are available for your Prado from a 4WD accessories online store
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Why Roof Racks?
There’ll always be that something that won’t fit in the boot. You’ve got 600+ litres of space in the boot, but try fitting in a bike or surfboard. And any camping trip with the whole family will leave you feeling a bit bitter because of all the things you had to leave behind. Getting a decent set of roof racks for Toyota Prado will remedy any lack of space, meaning all the important stuff comes with.
All the added realty, considering the long roofline, has its own benefits. You free up clutter inside, so there are no big and bulky items playing around in the back seats, and passengers can get a breather. This also helps in keeping the interior spotless, so you won’t be collecting dust or stains from things like jerry cans, gas bottles or camping gear.
Lastly, there’s safety to think about. Fitting stuff along the roof is way safer. Larger objects tied down on the roof help to evenly distribute weight. In addition, a packed cabin, even if you manage to fit everything inside, won’t be of much use when you can’t see anything at the back.
Types of Racks
There are three types of roof racks that you’ll see the most – standard platform racks, roof baskets and the popular tradesman racks. Each will be better suited at carrying certain types of loads. The longer roofline of the Prado helps here, and the racks are substantially longer than those for utes.
Choose platforms if you often carry longer items like bikes, kayaks and surfboards. Baskets have raised side, front and rear rails, so are good for smaller items like tools, various camping gear, luggage or an extra spare. This is aided by several cross bars along the length, and the mesh flooring to secure the load.
Finally, you might want to consider tradesmen roof racks for Toyota Prado if you need space for a mix of cargo in different shapes and sizes. These have raised bars along the whole length, but the lack of front or rear bars allows for carrying especially long stuff.
You’ll find differences in how racks mount to the roofline. Tradesmen racks often sit lower and to do so might require drilling into the roof. Baskets and platforms are often supplied with mounting brackets and fitted along rain channel gutters. Another mounting option is to first fit roof rails in the factory mounting points, connect these to a set of cross bars, then attach the roof rack. This setup sits somewhat higher.
Choosing a Roof Rack for Your Toyota Prado
How much space you need is determined by the length of the rack, as widths generally are 120 to 125 cm. You can go as far as 220 cm, so there’s definitely a lot of space. Longer racks are reinforced with several internal cross bars to handle the weight. Racks in this size can handle up to 200 kilos, but first, check the recommended roof capacity of your Prado before throwing anything on.
To ensure that the racks will last in carrying all your gear, as well as in bad weather or on poor roads, they need to be made of tough yet lightweight materials. Older models were made of steel, but these have been replaced by aluminium racks that don’t lose out on strength, and yet come in at almost half the weight. This lets you carry more gear. Look for racks that are powder coated if you want them to last, and zinc plated mounting brackets to avoid rust.
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