Ute Racks Australia

If you're carrying ladders, kayaks, fishing rods, paddleboards or timber lengths above the tub line, a tub rack is the answer — it sits above the bedside rails and gives you clearance over your canopy or tonneau. If you're running a roof-top tent, awning, light bar or recovery boards above the cab for touring, you want a roof rack platform. Many serious tourers run both.

Roof rack platforms mount on the cab roof, so they have zero interaction with your tub-mounted tonneau cover or roller shutter. You can carry a roof-top tent above the cab and still have full-access secure storage in the tub below — the ideal touring setup.

Rhino-Rack Pioneer Tradie platforms typically sit $1,400–$2,200, Yakima LockNLoad runs $1,100–$1,750, ARB BASE Rack lands $1,750–$2,400, and Wedgetail one-piece roof racks push $1,800–$2,500+. UniUte uses the same hot-dipped galvanised steel, anodised aluminium and stainless hardware specs at notably lower prices — because we import direct and skip the dealer markup. Specs are matched; the difference is the badge.

A tub rack is a full-width frame spanning the bedside rails — usually four uprights and one or two crossbars. A ladder rack accessory is a single bolt-on bar (or set) designed specifically to carry long loads like extension ladders, conduit or timber. Most tradies use a full tub rack with ladder-rack-style cross bars on top. Browse the combined range at tub & ladder racks.

No. We import direct from the same factories that supply major Australian rack brands, then skip the dealer-network markup. Materials are spec-matched: 2mm hot-dipped galvanised steel or 6063-T6 anodised aluminium, 430 stainless fasteners, rubber-isolated mounts. The price difference is distribution, not metallurgy.

Both. Every rack ships with step-by-step instructions, all required hardware and a torque spec sheet, so a competent DIYer can fit one in a couple of hours. If you'd rather have it done, book a same-day fitting at our Moorabbin workshop. Most fittings take 60–90 minutes.

Yes — our tub racks and roof racks are engineered for Hilux N70/N80/N90, Ranger PX/PX2/PX3/NextGen and Raptor, BT-50, D-Max RG, Triton MQ/MR/MV, Amarok 2H/NF, Navara D40/D23/D27 and BYD Shark. Vehicle-specific mounting plates and universal-fit options are both stocked.

Tub racks are rated 100–150kg static load (parked) — plenty for two adult-size kayaks, a roof-top tent or 4 metres of timber. Roof rack platforms are rated 75kg dynamic on-road and 150–300kg static (camping), which matches every major roof-top tent on the market. Always check your vehicle's roof load rating in the owner's manual — that's usually the limiting factor, not the rack.

Yes. UniUte platforms are pre-drilled for 30+ accessory mounts — Rhino-Rack Batwing, ARB Touring awning, MAXTRAX recovery boards, light bars, jerry can holders, shovel mounts, fishing rod holders and Hi-Lift jacks all bolt straight on. We can recommend specific mounting brackets — get in touch via our contact page.

The BYD Shark uses a sports-bar-style tub design. We stock vehicle-specific tub rack and roof rack solutions for the Shark, plus matching canopies and tonneau covers. Hardware is included; no drilling into the factory body required.

Hot-dipped galvanising plus powder coating gives you 5+ years of rust-free service in coastal Australian conditions. After beach or muddy trips, rinse the rack with fresh water and check fastener torque every 6 months. Touch up any stone chips with the matching paint pen. Anodised aluminium racks need only a soapy water wipe — no rust risk at all.

Fibreglass canopies are low-maintenance — wash with regular car shampoo and apply a quality polish or wax 2–3 times a year to protect the gel coat from UV. Avoid abrasive sponges or harsh solvents that can dull the finish. Treated correctly, the paint-matched finish on a fibreglass canopy holds up the full life of the ute.