ON THE HILUX

FRONT RUNNER KIT

Slimline II Roof Rack (R7150)

The fitment of a roof rack was a big plus on this adventure, allowing us to mount a rooftop tent on the Hilux and a variety of gear on the Fortuner – including a table, awning, potjie holder, jerry cans, and a spade. There are many more options. Most often wood was carried on top of the roof rack, keeping it out of the vehicle interior, along with other bulky, usually dirty items like our groundsheets.

The clever modular engineering of these racks means they are assembled from stock parts to fit many vehicles. This allows for some flex in line with that of the vehicle in rough terrain. This is unlike solid welded units which can shear after repeated cross-axles, or, even more expensively, transmit shearing forces to the vehicle on to which it is bolted.

Front Runner racks are both sturdy and lightweight, being made from T6 aluminium with a black epoxy powder-coated finish. The Hilux unit fitted, which is 1165mm wide by 1358mm long, weighs only 23kg all in. The kit comprises a perimeter frame and