Rhino Rack or Frontrunner (GX460) (1 Viewer)

[Tex68w]

I am trying to decide between these two racks. This is tough because they are very similar in design and features, the biggest difference is the height and the design of their side rail systems. I feel like the Frontrunner sits up too high off of the roof line, I understand they did this to accommodate their undermount accessories like the table (I'd likely never buy) but aesthetically speaking it's not as pleasing as the Rhino in my opinion. I do like their side rails better than those on the Rhino Rack because you can still access the underside of the rack where the Rhino Rack doesn't allow for this. The Rhino Rack sits lower to the roof line and should be more streamlined aerodynamically but I hate how the side rails look with all of the little holes.

I have heard that the front to back running cross bars of the Rhino Rack are more aerodynamic and quieter than the more traditional side to side trails of the Frontrunner. The Frontrunner has the outboard channel for quickly mounting accessories like awnings and lights more easily which is nice. There's about a $100 difference between the two so that isn't much of a factor. Those of you with one of these two racks please chime in with your likes and dislikes, I'd like to pull the trigger on one here soon. Thanks!

 

[TX GX460]

I think you hit the high points. I purchased the rhino rack because of its low profile with the pioneer platform. Note that there are alternative roof mounting solutions (feet) from rhino rack for the 150/460 that sit a little higher but allow side access under the rack. Either of these racks will be noisy without a wind fairing at speed, but the Rhino Rack is likely better for aerodynamics and noise generally because it has a much smaller cross section. I personally like the aesthetics of the rhino rack over the front runner, but that is just my subjective opinion. The two racks both have a lot of good attachment options and are versatile for creating additional custom ones, so that issue is probably a wash.

I have really liked the Rhino Rack. It is pretty easy to take off and put back on when I want to wash and wax the roof (maybe twice a year). I disconnect the bolts, put 2x4s across the supports under the rack, then slide the rack off on the 2x4s. It is heavy but not unmanageable for me alone. I have an older fox wing awning that is easy and quick to add/delete when I want to use it. And I have yet to find something I want to connect to the rack that I have not been able to attach securely with the various straps and tie downs I have for it.

 

[r2m]

I am trying to decide between these two racks. This is tough because they are very similar in design and features, the biggest difference is the height and the design of their side rail systems. I feel like the Frontrunner sits up too high off of the roof line, I understand they did this to accommodate their undermount accessories like the table (I'd likely never buy) but aesthetically speaking it's not as pleasing as the Rhino in my opinion. I do like their side rails better than those on the Rhino Rack because you can still access the underside of the rack where the Rhino Rack doesn't allow for this. The Rhino Rack sits lower to the roof line and should be more streamlined aerodynamically but I hate how the side rails look with all of the little holes.

I have heard that the front to back running cross bars of the Rhino Rack are more aerodynamic and quieter than the more traditional side to side trails of the Frontrunner. The Frontrunner has the outboard channel for quickly mounting accessories like awnings and lights more easily which is nice. There's about a $100 difference between the two so that isn't much of a factor. Those of you with one of these two racks please chime in with your likes and dislikes, I'd like to pull the trigger on one here soon. Thanks!

Have you considered the Gamiviti rack? Tim can build it per your specs. One of your specs was that it needed to be low profile. I too alos wanted a low profile rack so I could still get into parking garages, car washes, etc. Also for me, I really like the safari look of the Gamiviti racks, which the Frontrunner and Rhino don't have. But that may be the reason you like them!
So far, I'm really please with my rack!

 

[TX GX460]

Gamiviti is a good option. I am going to order one for my wife's LC 200 for the reasons stated above. But he specifically asked about Rhino Rack vs. Front Runner, so I assume he did his homework about other options in the 460 market, including Gamiviti, SSO, Victory and Prinsu. Each of them include an integrated wind fairing and are low profile, but have fewer available attachment accessories.

 

[Tex68w]

Have you considered the Gamiviti rack? Tim can build it per your specs. One of your specs was that it needed to be low profile. I too alos wanted a low profile rack so I could still get into parking garages, car washes, etc. Also for me, I really like the safari look of the Gamiviti racks, which the Frontrunner and Rhino don't have. But that may be the reason you like them!
So far, I'm really please with my rack!

I had Gobi racks on my FJ Cruisers in the past, the Gamiviti is very similar. I don't care for the steel which rusts or the expanded metal, it's not as good as a channeled platform for securing things. I like the old safari look as well but I personally don't think it looks right on the 460.

I had a Prinsu on the 4Runner we just sold and while I think it's is the most aesthetically pleasing rack out there I didn't like how much the cross bars flexed under load and the hardware corroded in a matter of months and there's a lot of hardware. Mine was an older model and it didn't have the recesses cut into the cross bar channels in order to quickly and easily add hardware for mounting things, I had to unbolt the crossbars and slide in the hardware each time I wanted to add or remove something. They now provide the crossbars with those cuts so that is one less complaint. Victory, LFD, SSO and others like it are identical to the Prinsu.

 

[r2m]

Bravo! On your depth of research for you rack!
I applaud you taking the time to do thorough research.
I can get kind of anal about my research when looking to purchase something that is:

• Costly, try to find best bang for the buck.
• Reliability, must last a long time.
• Provide various levels of features compared to other products and/or that I desire.
• If necessary, that I need to get my wife on board with the purchase (like when I purchased my GX).
• Will fit my intended needs.

 

[Tex68w]

Bravo! On your depth of research for you rack!
I applaud you taking the time to do thorough research.
I can get kind of anal about my research when looking to purchase something that is:

• Costly, try to find best bang for the buck.
• Reliability, must last a long time.
• Provide various levels of features compared to other products and/or that I desire.
• If necessary, that I need to get my wife on board with the purchase (like when I purchased my GX).
• Will fit my intended needs.

Thanks, I tend to go one step too far which might be exhaustive to some but I prefer to buy once, cry once and have no regrets. It really just comes down to the Rhino or the FrontRunner and what people think about each in a direct comparison.

 

[cruisinparaguay]

Thanks, I tend to go one step too far which might be exhaustive to some but I prefer to buy once, cry once and have no regrets. It really just comes down to the Rhino or the FrontRunner and what people think about each in a direct comparison.

Hi Tex68w, you probably have gotten yourself a roof rack by now. If not and maybe interesting for others, I want to share my opinion on the Uprack roof rack, which is in my opinion exactly the same like the Frontrunner Roofrack and I also fitted some Frontrunner accesoires on the Uprack roof rack.

I actually bolted the Uprack directly into the aluminium (were covered in plastic coming from the factory) roof rails of a family wagon. We stood on there with 2 adults and several Zarges boxes fully loaded and transported other heavy stuff. It never bend. Went up to 200km/h / 125mp/h with it on the Autobahn for 3 years with no problem. It was always out in the rain, snow, sun with no problems at all, did not faint in color, etc. very sturdy aluminium rack. Best quality, from Italy.

Also I was able to mount stuff like the Zarges boxes for example with T-Bolts in the channels which are in every rail of the Uprack. Also the eye bolts come in very handy to mount stuff.

If I would ever buy a roof rack again I am quite sure I'd go with an Uprack (which in my opinion is exactly same build like the Frontrunner). The Prinsu is a better design for the 80 but read a lot about bad quality on here, also seems very thin to me and I would not want to risk breaking a roof rack and damaging my car or cars/motorcycles/persons behind me in traffic. I also love the design of the ARB roof rack, but does not seem so practically, as you cannot take out rails in order to open up and climb out of your sunroof, etc, not so customizable like the Uprack.

Did you get yourself a roof rack? If yes, would you mind sharing a couple of photos?

Cheers!

 

[BobinBend]

I am looking at those two racks as well... For me, I already have some Yakima Jaylo Kayak racks that are meant to attach to crossbars. I "think" I might be able to use those with the crossbars on the frontrunner slimline while the Rhino rack bars run front to back and would not work. If I still had my old 470 I would probably use the Rago Fab crossbars with my factory rails. I am interested to see what you go with (and pictures of course).

 

[Tex68w]

I am looking at those two racks as well... For me, I already have some Yakima Jaylo Kayak racks that are meant to attach to crossbars. I "think" I might be able to use those with the crossbars on the frontrunner slimline while the Rhino rack bars run front to back and would not work. If I still had my old 470 I would probably use the Rago Fab crossbars with my factory rails. I am interested to see what you go with (and pictures of course).

I actually prefer the look of the Rhino Rack because it sits lower to the roof with he Backbone system. I do not like that their bars run front to rear, very odd. I wish Rago made the modular crossbars for the 460, I don't see why they can't when they did it for the 470 and 5th Gens.

 

[BobinBend]

Another question to those considering these two racks... How do folks account for the sunroof? Is there a gap between crossbars where the sunroof is (on the frontrunner) or a removeable insert like the Gobi available for the Rhino?

 

[Tex68w]

There aren't any movable bars on the rack, you can buy the shorter rack if you want your sunroof exposed.

 

[cruisinparaguay]

Hi BobinLaconner,

the Uprack (should be the same like the Frontrunner) does have removeable inserts for the sunroof.

Cheers!

 

[nw_fj62]

Just to keep the rack conversation interesting....

The Yakima Lock N'Load rack is looking promising... I'm testing their N size (84x54) and fits the GX well for dimension. There is a full modular set of accessories.

Yakima is working on a set of towers for the US market. Right now I'm running the Yakima Australia 3 hard point mount system (awesome!). If looking at that site, translate to Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 (3 bar). In this configuration 3 inches from roof to bottom of rack.

As I shift into spring, I fit on their Maxtrax holder and one set of top grip (paddle holder) for shovel. And yes, ski racks from a season that ended abruptly...

I'll configure in the next month to add the RTT, and some other accessories.

 

[Lenny33]

The Yakima does look like a pretty promising platform! Are you putting this on a 470 or 460 and how do you think you will mount?

 

[nw_fj62]

Lenny - the Yakima system is mounted on a 2013 GX 460.

With the Aussie 3pt fixed mount system, you remove the Lexus flush rail entirely and mount the towers directly into the three hard points per side. This picture gives a rough sense:

 

[Lenny33]

Lenny - the Yakima system is mounted on a 2013 GX 460.

With the Aussie 3pt fixed mount system, you remove the Lexus flush rail entirely and mount the towers directly into the three hard points per side. This picture gives a rough sense:

View attachment 2254997

that is what I was thinking/hoping you would say.... might be what I eventually do as well. Have you done any research into what the weight handling capacity will be using this setup?

 

[Tex68w]

Lenny - the Yakima system is mounted on a 2013 GX 460.

With the Aussie 3pt fixed mount system, you remove the Lexus flush rail entirely and mount the towers directly into the three hard points per side. This picture gives a rough sense:

View attachment 2254997

So is this available in the US market for purchase at this time?

 

[Lenny33]

Must be - it’s on Amazon right now!

 

[Tex68w]

I still find myself drawn to the Rhino Rack with the backbone system simply from an aesthetics stand point. I like how it sits lower to the roof line. I am not sure how detrimental the support bars running front to rear would actually be for securing my loads, but other than some Pelican cases and possibly a Rotopax for water I am not sure what all I would actually put up there. In theory, having the bars runs front to rear would provide a better slip stream than your traditional crossbars and the rounded leading edge would help with aerodynamics slightly as well as sound, which is probably why owners don't report as much noise with the Pioneer Platform. The Eezi-Awn K9 racks are designed the same way as well.