New gear: Dometic Front Runner Slimline 3 Roof Rack lands

Front Runner’s familiar Slimline roof rack has had a major overhaul, with Dometic launching the new Slimline 3 as the first product in its new Dometic Front Runner Series.

Designed and tested between Sweden and South Africa, the new Dometic Front Runner Slimline 3 builds on the well-known Slimline II with a lower profile, redesigned slats, easier load configuration and some clever additions for wiring and securing gear.

For 4WDers, the biggest change is how easy it should be to configure the rack around the gear you’re actually carrying. You can see some of these great new features in the quick video below:

A roof rack you can reconfigure

Rather than locking owners into one layout, individual Slimline 3 slats can be added, removed or shifted without pulling the entire rack apart.

The spacing between the slats can also be adjusted, giving you more freedom to configure the platform for different loads.

Each redesigned slat features dual T-slots with multiple insertion points, opening up plenty of options for positioning accessories. Dometic says the new slat architecture also improves strength and stiffness without unnecessarily adding weight.

It’s a useful idea for anyone whose roof load changes depending on the trip. One weekend you might be carrying recovery gear and storage tubs, while the next could call for an awning, rooftop tent or a kayak.

Lower profile, less bulk

The Slimline 3 sits 20% lower than the outgoing Slimline II, with the platform measuring just 40mm high.

Dometic says the lower profile helps reduce wind resistance, wind noise and fuel consumption, while also giving the rack a cleaner appearance once fitted.

There’s no raised perimeter lip around the platform either. Instead, you get a completely flat loading surface, which should make sliding larger items onto and off the rack easier.

Wiring has finally been tidied up

Anyone who has added lights or other powered accessories to a roof rack will appreciate another of the Slimline 3’s upgrades: integrated wire routing.

Dedicated concealed channels run within the perimeter profiles, while the corners incorporate pass-throughs and breakout tabs for electrical cables.

The result should be a much cleaner installation for camp lights, light bars and other powered accessories, without cables having to be awkwardly routed around the outside of the rack.

Built-in tie-down points

Dometic has also incorporated standardised tie-down points into all four corners of the Slimline 3. They’re designed to work with Front Runner Stratchits and other lightweight securing straps, giving you convenient attachment points without having to add separate tie-down hardware.

As you’d expect from a rack aimed at touring and off-road use, corrosion resistance has also been given plenty of attention. The Slimline 3 combines heat-treated aluminium with high-strength 3CR12 stainless-steel components, stainless-steel fasteners and a weather-resistant black powder-coated finish.

Easier to remove when you don’t need it

Another interesting addition is Dometic’s new easy-release mounting system. The proprietary system is designed to make the rack easier to remove and reinstall without disturbing the vehicle’s critical roof seal. That’s pretty useful for owners who don’t want to leave a full platform rack fitted year-round.

Dometic says the simplified design also makes maintenance easier.

What accessories fit the Slimline 3?

The good news for existing Front Runner users is that Dometic says the Slimline 3 remains compatible with its existing range of top-mount rack accessories.

There will also be a growing range of accessories designed specifically for the Slimline 3.

Dometic is positioning the rack as the starting point for its broader Front Runner Series, which will eventually bring roof racks, storage, camping equipment and accessories together as one integrated range.

What vehicles will the Slimline 3 fit?

At launch, Dometic has announced Slimline 3 compatibility for:

• Suzuki Jimny 3 Door
• Ford Ranger Double Cab
• Ford Ranger Super Duty
• INEOS Grenadier
• Toyota LandCruiser Prado 250
• Toyota 4Runner 6th Gen
• Toyota HiLux Double Cab
• Isuzu D-MAX Double Cab
• Mazda BT-50 Double Cab
• Lexus GX 550
• Volkswagen Amarok
• Ford Bronco 4 Door Hard Top

Dometic says additional Front Runner Series products are on the way, so we’d expect the range of compatible vehicles and accessories to continue expanding.

When can you get one?

The Dometic Front Runner Slimline 3 is available to pre-order from 20 August 2026, with the first units scheduled to ship from October.

Rather than being offered as a single universal rack, Slimline 3 trays are available in different dimensions and are paired with the appropriate mounting system for the vehicle.

For 4WDers already familiar with the Slimline II, the Slimline 3 looks less like a cosmetic refresh and more like a substantial rethink of Front Runner’s established platform rack. The lower profile is welcome, but it’s the adjustable slats, integrated wiring and easier accessory mounting that will make the biggest difference when setting up your rig.

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