Originally Posted by
seeker333
.. AFAIK, there are no aluminum racks made from tubing, only rod, despite some aluminum racks described in ad copy as tubular (nonsense).
....
Racktime AddIt rack uses Aluminum tubing. I can't speak for all of the Racktime racks but if one rack in their lineup uses tubing I would expect others do too.
Other brands, some of my Aluminum racks are solid. Thus, I expect it is a mix.
With Aluminum racks, I have seen some with very sloppy welding but some with very high quality welding. The welding is what I look at when I try to decide if I want to trust an Aluminum rack. I have carried rear panners on one tour with my Addit rack and am considering using it on my next tour.
A friend of mine has crossed the USA three times using Aluminum racks, I think his racks are Jandd. Not sure if they are rod or tubing.