Aluminium vs stainless steel roof racks: which is right for you?

It is the first question most customers ask us, and the honest answer is: it depends on how you use the vehicle. Here is how we explain it in the workshop.

Aluminium: light and corrosion-proof

Aluminium racks keep weight down, which matters when you are loading a rooftop tent, jerry cans and recovery gear. Less weight on the roof also means less strain on the vehicle's roof rating and better handling.

Aluminium does not rust, which makes it a strong choice for vehicles that live outdoors year-round.

Stainless steel: maximum toughness

Stainless steel is heavier, but it takes abuse exceptionally well. For vehicles that spend their lives on mining and construction sites, where racks get knocked, scraped and overloaded, stainless is often the sensible choice.

It also resists corrosion, so you are not trading longevity for strength.

Our advice

Tell us what the vehicle does week to week and what you plan to carry, and we will recommend the right material — and build it to suit. There is no universal right answer, only the right answer for your vehicle.