2011 StarCraft 816 Pop-Up Camper Rack for Bikes-Cargo Luggage - roof rack crossbars for bikes-luggage on 2011 StarCraft 816 tent trailer

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Posted: 7/19/2011

Question: I'm told that my 2011 StarCraft 816 tent trailer /pop-up camper has roof tracks already mounted on the rooftop, ready to accept a Yakima roof rack system. I want to attach a roof rack crossbars set up to the tracks so I can then mount bike racks and a cargo carrier to the crossbars.

Answer: You are correct that you already have roof tracks on your camper roof that are ready to accept a Yakima general-purpose base rack system. You will simply need to mount the Yakima Control Towers roof rack system (choose the LP1 #1 Landing Pads and the 86” cross bars) to the roof tracks. This is a super easy install (easy to follow instructions included). You can also conveniently position the Yakima Control Towers roof rack system anywhere along the roof tracks.

With the base rack system installed, you can then connect any roof bike carriers to the cross bars. Virtually all bike racks are universal mounting, allowing you to choose the model that you like best, independent of whether it is the same manufacturer as the base rack system. In general, you have two basic roof mount bike rack categories to choose from: 1) upright mount bike racks, where you leave the bike wheels on and load the entire bike onto the rack / 2) fork mount bike racks, where you take the front wheel off and mount the bike fork to the bike rack fork mount block & quick-release skewer. You will have plenty of room on the extra long cross bars to attach many bike racks and cargo carriers etc. To use cross bar space most efficiently, simply alternate orienting the first bike rack facing front, the next one facing back, next one facing front and so on...

For a pop-up camper, generally the upright style bike racks are best because you don’t have to worry about aerodynamics or extra wind drag with the entire bicycle on top because generally the camper sits low enough behind the vehicle when in transit, eliminating increased wind drag as an issue. Therefore you can take advantage of how easy it is to load upright style bike racks (no need to first take any wheels off or anything).

Finally, you can then also connect any cargo-luggage carriers to the cross bars. Virtually all cargo carriers are universal mounting, allowing you to choose the model that you like best, independent of whether it is the same manufacturer as the base rack system. In general, you have three basic roof mount cargo carrier categories to choose from: 1) cargo boxes, hardshell plastic protects and keeps gear dry; locks included / 2) roof baskets, versatile uses for carrying all kinds of items, accessories available for securing gear and protecting from rain etc. / 3) cargo bags, easy to install and remove, protective from rain and other elements etc.