Find the Right Roof Rack for Your Vehicle
Finding the right roof rack isn't as simple as picking one that looks right. It all comes down to your vehicle's roof, how much weight it's designed to carry, and what you actually want to put on it. Choose your make, model and year above to see what fits, or keep reading for a quick rundown.
Why Trust Our Fit Advice
We've fitted roof racks to just about everything over the years. Small hatchbacks, family SUVs, dual cab utes, fully kitted-out LandCruisers heading off on serious trips... if it's got a roof, there's a good chance we've worked on it. It's the benefit of having 35+ stores fitting racks every day. So when we tell you something fits, or doesn't, it's because we've seen it ourselves.
If a roof rack kit is listed as fitting your vehicle, it fits — everything you need is included, with nothing extra to track down separately. And if you'd rather talk it through in person, drop into one of our stores. Our team can help you choose the right setup and arrange fitting on the spot.
We Can Fit It For You
Don't want to fit it yourself? Our trained installers mount your roof rack properly, torque it to spec and make sure it's safe to load — most fittings are done while you wait.
Find Your Fit
Use the fit finder above to match the exact roof rack system to your vehicle. No guesswork.
Book In-Store
Pick a time that suits, or just drop by. Most fittings are done while you wait.
Fit It & Test It
Our installers mount, torque and load-test your rack, so it leaves safe and ready to go.
What Roof Type Does Your Vehicle Have?
Every roof rack system is built around a particular roof type. Get that part wrong and nothing else really matters. A properly matched system will be secure and load-rated, while the wrong one simply won't fit as intended. Most vehicles fit into one of these common roof styles:
Raised Rails
Roof rails that sit above the roof with a gap underneath. You'll see these on plenty of SUVs and wagons, and they're generally one of the easiest setups to fit.
Flush Rails
These rails sit flush against the roof with no gap underneath. They're common on newer SUVs and passenger cars and need a vehicle-specific fitting kit rather than a universal clamp.
Fixed Points
Factory mounting points built into the roof, usually hidden under small plastic covers. You'll find them on plenty of newer 4WDs and utes. We always check the correct kit before recommending one.
Roof Tracks
A full-length track system that lets you move the mounting legs to suit different loads or accessories.
Gutters
Usually found on older 4WDs, vans and some utes. The rack mounts directly to the external gutter that runs along the edge of the roof.
Bare Roof
No rails, gutters or obvious mounting points? That's more common than people think. It doesn't mean you can't fit a roof rack, it just means you'll need the right vehicle-specific mounting kit. If you're unsure, we'll help you work it out.
How Much Weight Can Your Roof Rack Carry?
This is probably one of the questions we get asked most, and it's also one of the easiest things to get wrong. The important part is knowing there are actually two weight ratings you need to pay attention to:
Static Load Rating
This is how much weight your roof can support while the vehicle is parked. Think rooftop tents, people sleeping overnight, or loading gear before a trip. It's almost always the higher of the two ratings.
Dynamic Load Rating
This is the maximum weight your vehicle can safely carry while it's moving. Once you're driving, forces from braking, cornering and bumps all come into play, so this rating is usually much lower than the static one.
These limits come from the vehicle manufacturer, not the roof rack brand. On top of that, the roof rack itself has its own maximum load rating. The number that matters is whichever is lower. If you're not sure what your vehicle is rated for, check your owner's handbook or ask us. We can confirm the correct setup and load limits before you head off with a fully loaded roof.
Roof Bars, Legs, Platforms & Trays — What's the Difference?
A complete roof rack setup is made up of a few different parts, and each one does a different job.
Legs (or towers) are what attach the system to your vehicle. These need to match your roof type exactly, so they're the most vehicle-specific part of the whole setup.
Bars sit across the legs and are what most accessories attach to, whether that's a bike carrier, roof box or kayak holder. Shop roof bars.
Platforms & trays give you one large flat surface across the roof. Most mount using a backbone (or spine) kit that runs the length of the roof, spreading the load evenly and fitting to your vehicle's factory points without drilling. They're popular for touring builds where you're running multiple accessories like an awning, rooftop tent and recovery gear, or for tradies carrying ladders, conduit and other long loads. Shop platforms & trays.
Not everyone needs a full platform either. If you're only carrying bikes every now and then, or a roof box for holidays, a set of cross bars is often all you need. Platforms really come into their own when you've got several accessories to mount or want one solid, versatile load area.
Choosing the Right Setup for How You Actually Use Your Vehicle
Weekend Adventurer
If weekends usually involve camping or heading off-road, a platform gives you the flexibility to mount a rooftop tent, awning and other gear all at once, without swapping accessories every trip.
Tradie / Fleet
For work vehicles, a platform or tray makes carrying ladders, pipe and long materials much easier. Combined with the right tie-down points, it's a practical setup built for daily use.
Family / Daily Driver
If you mainly need extra space for holidays or weekends away, a simple set of roof bars is usually the best option. They're ideal for roof boxes, bikes and kayaks without permanently changing how the car looks or drives.
One mistake we see all the time: people choosing a roof rack based only on their vehicle. What you're planning to carry is just as important. A setup that's perfect for a couple of bikes might not be suitable for a rooftop tent, awning and recovery gear. That's why we'll always ask what you're using it for before recommending a system, not just what you drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are some of the questions we get asked every day, whether it's over the phone or in one of our stores.
What roof racks fit my car?
That depends on your vehicle's roof type, its load rating and the year or model. The easiest way to find the right match is to choose your make, model and year using the fit finder above. It'll show you the roof racks that are designed to fit your vehicle. If you'd rather chat to someone, drop into one of our 35+ stores and we'll help you get it sorted.
Do all roof racks fit all cars?
No. Roof racks aren't one-size-fits-all. They're designed around different roof types, so a system made for raised rails won't fit a bare roof or fixed mounting points without the right hardware. It's always worth checking compatibility before ordering.
How much weight can a roof rack hold?
It comes down to two things, your vehicle's roof load rating and the roof rack's own rating. Your safe carrying limit is whichever figure is lower. If you can't find the numbers in your owner's handbook, just ask us and we'll point you in the right direction.
What if my car has no roof rails?
That's completely fine. Plenty of vehicles have what's called a bare roof. In most cases there's still a roof rack solution available using a vehicle-specific fitting kit. It just needs to be matched correctly to your car, rather than using a universal setup.
Do I need professional installation, or can I fit it myself?
A lot of roof rack systems can be fitted at home with basic tools and a bit of time. If it's a straightforward install, we'll tell you. If you'd rather leave it to someone else, every Roof Racks Galore store also offers professional fitting when you purchase your roof rack.
What's the difference between roof bars, a platform and a roof tray?
Roof bars are ideal for carrying accessories like bike racks, kayak carriers and roof boxes. Platforms and trays create one large flat area, making them a better option if you're carrying multiple accessories, touring gear or trade equipment on a regular basis.
How many bikes or kayaks can I carry on a roof rack?
There's no single answer because every vehicle is different. It depends on your roof's load rating, the width of your roof bars and the carriers you're using. As a general guide, most vehicles comfortably carry two to four bikes or one to two kayaks, but we'll always recommend checking your specific setup first.
Are roof racks universal, or vehicle-specific?
Almost all modern roof rack systems are vehicle-specific. While there are some more universal-style components available, they still need to suit your vehicle's roof type. There isn't a single roof rack that safely fits every make and model.
Still not sure what's going to work best? Use the fit finder above to narrow down your options, or find your nearest store. We're always happy to help you choose the right setup and, if you want, fit it for you as well.
