Front Runner

Expedition-grade roof racks and overlanding accessories. Slimline II is an industry standard.

premium TierSouth AfricaEst. 1997

Products11

Categories4

WarrantyLifetime on roof racks

About Front Runner

Front Runner Outfitters is the South African overlanding brand that made modular aluminum roof platforms the standard for serious expedition rigs. Founded in 1997 in Johannesburg, the company cut its teeth building racks for the African safari and expedition market before expanding to the U.S. and Europe.

The Slimline II platform is the flagship product — a bolt-together aluminum tray with hundreds of mount points for rooftop tents, awnings, shovels, jerry cans, and recovery gear. Other brands make similar systems now, but Front Runner invented the category.

They're not cheap. A Slimline II for a 4Runner starts around $1,200 before accessories. But if you're actually going to Baja, the Dempster, or the Pan-American, this is the platform other overlanders won't talk trash about.

Did you know?

Front Runner's Slimline II roof platforms were originally designed for Land Rover Defenders used by African game wardens, which is why the slots on the tray still match the exact spacing used by anti-poaching patrol gear.

Top Front Runner racks compared

	Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack (Half Size)	Front Runner Expander Camping Chair	Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack (Tall)	Front Runner Wolf Pack Pro Storage Box	Front Runner Cargo Box 60L
Weight Capacity	660.0	300.0	660.0	100.0	110.0
Weight	33.0	7.7	44.0	10.0	13.2
Material	Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum
Mounting	Roof Direct	Roof Direct	Roof Direct	Roof Direct	Roof Direct
Installation	Moderate	Tool Free	Moderate	Tool Free	Tool Free
Noise Rating	Noticeable	Noticeable	Noticeable	Noticeable	Moderate
Security	None	None	None	None	None
Value Score	91	98	89	96	96
Ease of Use	94	94	94	94	94
Build Quality	91	91	91	91	91
Foldable	No	No	No	No	No
Score	97/100	97/100	97/100	97/100	97/100

Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack (Half Size)

97/100

Weight Capacity: 660.0
Weight: 33.0
Material: Aluminum
Mounting: Roof Direct
Installation: Moderate
Noise Rating: Noticeable
Security: None
Value Score: 91
Ease of Use: 94
Build Quality: 91
Foldable: No

Front Runner Expander Camping Chair

97/100

Weight Capacity: 300.0
Weight: 7.7
Material: Aluminum
Mounting: Roof Direct
Installation: Tool Free
Noise Rating: Noticeable
Security: None
Value Score: 98
Ease of Use: 94
Build Quality: 91
Foldable: No

Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack (Tall)

97/100

Weight Capacity: 660.0
Weight: 44.0
Material: Aluminum
Mounting: Roof Direct
Installation: Moderate
Noise Rating: Noticeable
Security: None
Value Score: 89
Ease of Use: 94
Build Quality: 91
Foldable: No

Front Runner Wolf Pack Pro Storage Box

97/100

Weight Capacity: 100.0
Weight: 10.0
Material: Aluminum
Mounting: Roof Direct
Installation: Tool Free
Noise Rating: Noticeable
Security: None
Value Score: 96
Ease of Use: 94
Build Quality: 91
Foldable: No

Front Runner Cargo Box 60L

97/100

Weight Capacity: 110.0
Weight: 13.2
Material: Aluminum
Mounting: Roof Direct
Installation: Tool Free
Noise Rating: Moderate
Security: None
Value Score: 96
Ease of Use: 94
Build Quality: 91
Foldable: No

All Front Runner Products(11)

97/100

Front Runner

Front Runner Kayak/Canoe/SUP Carrier

Kayak & Canoesaddle_mount

~$237MSRP

97/100

Front Runner

Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack (Half Size)

Cargo Carrierscargo_basket

~$2,380MSRP

97/100

Front Runner

Front Runner Expander Camping Chair

Cargo Carrierscargo_basket

~$125MSRP

97/100

Front Runner

Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack (Tall)

Cargo Carrierscargo_basket

~$2,380MSRP

97/100

Front Runner

Front Runner Wolf Pack Pro Storage Box

Cargo Carrierscargo_basket

~$98MSRP

97/100

Front Runner

Front Runner Cargo Box 60L

Cargo Carriersroof_box

~$279MSRP

97/100

Front Runner

Front Runner Ski/Snowboard Carrier

Ski & Snowboardroof_mount_ski

~$210MSRP

97/100

Front Runner

Front Runner Rack Mount Bike Carrier

Bike Racksroof_mount_bike

~$265MSRP

97/100

Front Runner

Front Runner Pro Stainless Steel Prep Table

Cargo Carrierscargo_basket

~$349MSRP

93/100

Front Runner

Front Runner Slimline II Full

Cargo Carrierscargo_basket

~$1,400MSRP

91/100

Front Runner

Front Runner Slimline II 3/4

Cargo Carrierscargo_basket

~$1,190MSRP

Prices may vary. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Frequently Asked Questions About Front Runner

The Slimline II weighs 40–65 lbs depending on size — that's 2–3x heavier than a Thule or Yakima aero bar setup. It will affect fuel economy by 1–3 mpg. This is a permanent-mount rack for vehicles that always carry gear, not a put-on/take-off commuter rack. If you're daily driving and don't always carry gear, consider lighter alternatives.

Front Runner Slimline II racks (~$1,120–2,100) are full aluminum fabrications designed to carry rooftop tents, multiple jerry cans, hi-lift jacks, and expedition gear simultaneously. They're tested for African safari conditions — corrugated roads, extreme heat, and heavy loads. The T-slot system accepts 50+ purpose-built accessories. You're buying a vehicle infrastructure platform, not just a rack.

If you're asking, probably not. Front Runner is for dedicated overlanders who mount a rooftop tent, carry recovery gear, and want a modular platform they'll build on for years. If you just need to carry kayaks, bikes, or cargo boxes a few times a year, Rhino-Rack Pioneer or Yakima platforms deliver 80% of the capability at 40% of the price.

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