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WORKSHOP FILE · Jeep & Modifications
The platform for pioneers
01 / Roof rack by Rhino Rack
Robust, durable — ideal for adventurers
More freedom above the roof — the Rhino Rack Pioneer platform with Backbone system for the Jeep Wrangler
Anyone heading out on an adventure in a Jeep Wrangler knows the problem: there is never enough space. Rooftop tent, awning, fuel cans, recovery tools or sports equipment — sooner or later, the boot and back seat are full. This is where the Rhino Rack Pioneer platform comes into its own. Combined with the Backbone system, it turns the Wrangler into a capable load carrier without concerns about stability or safety.
Robust construction that inspires confidence
From the first touch, it is clear that the Pioneer platform is built for hard use. Its powder-coated aluminium is light yet extremely resistant to corrosion, scratches and the demands of real off-road life. Scorching sun, salty sea air or muddy forest tracks — the platform takes it all in its stride.
The Backbone system reinforces the Jeep Wrangler’s body structure at key points. Instead of relying on basic roof bars with limited capacity, it distributes the forces through sturdy internal frames across the entire body. The result is a substantial increase in roof load capacity.
Dynamic roof load: from 45 kg to 120 kg
Static roof load: up to 360 kg
The Wrangler becomes more than an off-roader: it is a mobile base for a rooftop tent, equipment and much more.
Installation — straightforward thanks to thoughtful engineering
Anyone expecting a system like this to be complicated to install will be pleasantly surprised. Rhino Rack supplies precise fitting instructions that capable DIY mechanics can follow without difficulty.
Precisely made components fit seamlessly onto the Wrangler’s existing mounting points.
The Backbone system connects to the body inside the vehicle — completely solid, with no improvisation.
The platform itself is then fitted on top like a building block.
With a little time and the right tools, the system can be installed in an afternoon. You are then left with a setup built to last for years.
Uses — from everyday life to expeditions
The Pioneer platform is as versatile as the adventures you want to have in your Wrangler:
Overlanding: rooftop tent, awning and storage for boxes and cans — everything has its place.
Outdoor sports: bicycles, kayaks or surfboards can be securely attached.
Rescue and recovery equipment: traction boards, shovels, an axe or a Hi-Lift jack are mounted within easy reach.
Everyday use: the platform also helps with larger loads, from the Christmas tree to a new gutter.
Rhino Rack’s extensive accessory range is especially interesting. Brackets, adapters or quick-release fasteners allow almost any equipment to be secured with a click. The platform becomes a personalised modular system that you can adapt at any time.
02 / FIELD NOTE
RCL vs RCH — choosing the mounting feet
The platform is mounted on RCL or RCH feet. Both versions have a locking system that reduces wind noise and improves security. Important: the feet are not interchangeable, so plan carefully in advance.
RCH feet: 52 mm high
RCL feet: 37 mm high
Practical additions: Stow It system & Swivel Lock channel nuts
Alongside the platform, Rhino Rack offers a range of small solutions that make everyday use of the Pioneer even more convenient. Two deserve particular attention:
The Stow It system — equipment within reach with one click
If you regularly travel with a shovel, axe or even a paddle, you know the problem: where can you put bulky tools without taking up interior space or creating rattles?
Rhino Rack’s Stow It system provides the answer. Its universal brackets attach to the rails of the Pioneer platform. Shovels, spades, paddles or even a broom can be secured with a single movement.
What makes it special:
Tool-free handling: simply click into place and secure.
Secure grip: everything stays firmly in place, even on rough tracks.
Versatility: it carries almost anything, from camping to recovery equipment.
This is a huge advantage when overlanding: tools are easy to reach when you really need them, for example when the Wrangler gets stuck in sand or mud.
Swivel Lock channel nuts — small parts, big impact
Swivel Lock channel nuts are another detail that shows Rhino Rack’s thoughtful engineering. These small, rotating nuts fit the Pioneer platform’s T-slots and make accessory installation very easy.
Easy installation: their rotating design lets you insert them from above without clearing the whole platform.
Flexibility: accessories can be moved or added at any time — perfect when the platform serves different purposes.
Stability: despite their compact size, they hold securely, even under heavy loads.
These unassuming helpers let you reconfigure the platform time and again without frustration or fiddly work.
Why the Pioneer platform suits the Wrangler
Few vehicles embody freedom and adventure like the Jeep Wrangler. But real freedom also means travelling independently and self-sufficiently. With the Rhino Rack Pioneer platform, the Wrangler gains new capabilities:
More storage for longer journeys
Greater safety through stable load support
More flexibility through modular accessories
A weekend in the forest, a road trip to Scandinavia or a desert expedition — the platform provides the foundation for every adventure.
03 / Nice to know about
Rhino Rack
Rhino-Rack was founded in Australia in 1992, a country known for extreme conditions. Its products are shaped by practical experience and tested in real-world conditions, from desert, rain and heat to snow. Most development and manufacturing take place in-house, ensuring consistently high quality. Rhino-Rack also works towards more sustainable production processes and supports nature conservation projects. Particularly notable is its exceptionally extensive range of roof-platform accessories, enabling maximum modularity, from lighting systems to spare fuel-can holders. As an OEM partner to several vehicle manufacturers, Rhino-Rack meets both the needs of adventurers and overlanders and the quality standards of the automotive industry.
04 / FIELD NOTE
Verdict — an investment in the freedom to explore
The Rhino Rack Pioneer platform with Backbone system is much more than a roof rack. It is a robust, thoughtfully designed solution for anyone who truly wants to explore in a Wrangler — beyond paved roads, for days or weeks, with equipment that otherwise simply would not fit.
Robust materials, high load capacities and a vast accessory range make it a game changer for overlanding and off-road travel. If you want to live the Jeep lifestyle rather than simply drive one, this is the ideal addition.
Once fitted, you will never want to travel without it.