what's rackin'? the official ors racks direct blog --- july / august 2008

J.P. of Harrisonburg, Virginia emailed us a good shot of his Toyota Tacoma pickup truck bike rack for his 2 inch trailer hitch. He is using the premium Thule 916 T2 hitch bike rack. This is Thule Racks top-of-the-line folding platform bike tray style hitch rack. With all the bells and whistles you could wish for, you might just find yourself in better shape fitness-wise because you'll be spending less time fooling around loading and unloading your bikes and more time spent actually riding. Rock on J.P.!

» view Toyota Tacoma bike rack install page
» view all Toyota Rack installs
» view Thule 916 T2 hitch bike rack page

vehicle year / make / model: 2006 Toyota Tacoma extended cab

Question: I am seeking a solution to transport a very long OC-2 outrigger canoe in the truckbed of my 2006 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. I'm worried that just a truck rack in the truck bed won't be a safe enough foundation for the long OC-2. Can I use something on the Tacoma cab roof as well to make it more stable?

Answer: Yes you can absolutely combine a rack support system on the cab roof for further stability when carrying the long OC-2 outrigger canoe. For the truckbed we highly recommend the The Thule 421 Xsporter truck rack system. You'll also need to use the Thule XK1 adapter kit with the 421 Xsporter on the 2006 Toyota Tacoma. Then for the Toyota Tacoma cab roof install the Thule 400XT Aero half-pack system. The Thule 400XT Aero half-pack system includes two Thule 400XT Feet, two Thule 2160 Fit Kit clips (made specifically for your '06 Tacoma) and a single load bar (choose the 58 inch length load bar). This will provide a very stable platform, when used in combination with the Thule 421 Xsporter, for transporting your OC-2.

» view Thule 421 Xsporter truck rack page
» view Thule 400XT Aero Half-Pack roof rack page
» view Thule 400XT Aero Half-Pack video demo

We just received some cool pictures from S.B. of Charlotte, North Carolina showcasing his Jeep Liberty roof rack and kayak carrier. The system includes the Thule 450 Crossroad roof rack (mounts directly to the Jeep Liberty factory rack side rails) and the Thule 835PRO Hull-a-Port kayak rack. If you didn't notice the kayak rack right off when you saw the pictures that's because the kayak rack is in it's folded down position. The fold down feature is designed specifically to make the kayak rack less obtrusive and more streamlined and fuel efficient when not holding a kayak. The Thule 835PRO is is a run-away success for Thule Racks and the fold down capability is a very big reason why. Thanks for the pics S.B.!

» view Jeep Liberty roof rack & kayak rack install page
» view all Jeep Rack installs
» view Thule 450 Crossroad car rack page
» view Thule 835PRO j-cradle kayak rack page

D.C. of Stowe, Vermont recently dropped off a couple pictures of her Volvo V50 roof rack and bike carriers. The system includes the Thule 450R Rapid Crossroad car rack system (attaches to the Volvo V50 roof rack side rails) and two Thule 517 Peloton bike racks (they attach to the 450R Rapid Crossroad load bars using the Thule Xadapt9 Kits). This is an excellent example of how Thule Racks 450R Rapid Crossroad car rack system is the perfect match for the premium looking Volvo V50 and looks great on any modern era vehicle. Also the bike racks look very clean and sleek, appearing to rest on top on the load bars as a result of using the Thule Xadapt 9 kits. That is a great look D.C!

» view Volvo V50 roof rack & bike rack install page
» view all Volvo Rack installs
» view Thule 450R Rapid Crossroad car rack page
» view Thule 517 Peleton bike rack page
» view Thule Xadapt9 Kit page

K.L. of Sacramento, California recently sent us an awesome shot of her Toyota Yaris roof rack set up for carrying a couple of bikes. The system includes the Thule 400XTR Rapid Aero roof rack (using a set of Thule 2196 Fit Kit clips made specifically for the Toyota Yaris 3 door model), the Thule 871XT car rack wind fairing and 2 Thule 517 Peloton fork mount bike racks (each attaches to the Thule 400XTR Rapid Aero load bars using a Thule Xadapt 9 kit). Finally the fuel friendly Toyota Yaris has a car rack fit. With such a popular car we are glad to see Thule Racks has engineered a fit. We expect to see a lot of these rack systems on the road. Looks fantastic K.L.!

» view Toyota Yaris bike roof rack install page
» view all Toyota Rack installs
» view Thule 400XTR Rapid Aero car rack page
» view Thule 517 Peloton bike rack page

Watch this ORS Racks Direct Productions video review and demonstration of the Yakima HighRoller bike rack before taking any chances with a roll of the dice deciding which bike rack is right for you. Andy shows you how to buddy up with lady luck and land a big winner with the Yakima High Roller. This is Yakima Racks premium upright mount bike rack. With beautiful design and bomber construction, you won't find a better option for loading any style and size of bicycle. Never has it been easier to adjust a bike rack to fit any bike, from kids bikes and bmx bikes to road, mountain and even 29er bikes.

» view Yakima High Roller bike rack product page
» view Yakima HighRoller video page

C.C. of Richmond, Vermont just emailed us these terrific shots of his Mini Cooper roof rack set up for carrying a bike. The system includes the Yakima Q Tower roof rack (using two pairs of Yakima Q78 clips and the recommended 48 inch length crossbars), 38 inch Yakima rack fairing and the Yakima Viper bike rack. Definitely a roof mount bike rack system as cool and fast looking as the car itself! Very nice C.C.!

» view Mini Cooper bike roof rack install page
» view all Mini Cooper Rack installs
» view Yakima Q Tower roof rack page
» view Yakima Viper bike rack page

vehicle year / make / model: 2007 Honda Odyssey

Question: We are looking for a rack to carry 4 bikes and very much prefer a hitch mount model. Also if there is a way to have the same hitch bike rack carry skis and snowboards, that would be a bonus! The most economical option would be appreciated too. Thank you very much!

Answer: For your needs we highly recommend the Thule 914 Roadway hitch bike rack. This is a superb fold down hitch bike rack with plenty of features at a value price. Transports up to 4 bikes and offers excellent stability, durability and is very well constructed. The optional Thule 955 No Sway cages also ensure the bikes won't swing into each other or the back of your vehicle. We also recommend the optional Thule STL2 SnugTite lock to lock the hitch rack to the car and the optional Thule 538 Cable lock to lock the bikes to rack itself. The Thule 914 Roadway bike rack will also work on both 2" and 1.25" hitches with no extra adapters or anything required. If you are interested in transporting skis and snowboards too, the Thule 987XT ski carrier is a superb attachment for the Thule 914 Roadway hitch rack, allowing you to conveniently carry your skis and snowboards on the Thule 914 Roadway hitch rack during the winter.

» view Thule 914 RoadWay hitch bike rack page
» view Thule 987XT ski-snowboard carrier page
» view Thule 987XT ski carrier video demo

S.E. of Birmingham, Alabama just fired off these superb pictures to us of his 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe rooftop cargo-luggage bag. He is using the Thule 867 Tahoe roof bag (with a name like that it better fit the Chevy Tahoe!) which attaches directly to the Chevy Tahoe factory rack. S.E. sums it up nicely, "These pictures were taken at the end of our summer vacation to Orange Beach, Alabama this past week. I ordered the Thule 867 Tahoe cargo roof bag and received it the day before we left. It was terrific because we have a 4 year old and 2 year old triplet boys, all in car seats so space is a premium! This was the best travel accessory we have ever purchased. Thanks for the quick turn-around from our order, will recommend to anyone to buy through ORS Racks Direct!"

» view 2001 Chevy Tahoe roof bag install page
» view all Chevrolet Rack installs
» view Thule 867 Tahoe bag page
» view Thule 867 Tahoe gear bag video

vehicle year / make / model: 2008 Subaru Legacy sedan

Question: I am trying to figure out if the Saris Bones RS locking trunk bike rack is compatible with my 2008 Subaru Legacy sedan. If not, are there other racks you could recommend for me?

Answer: Unfortunately the Saris Bones RS is not compatible with your 2008 Subaru Legacy sedan. However, both the Saris Bones 3 trunk mount bike rack and Saris Bones 2 trunk mount bike rack are excellent alternatives that work very well on your car. These bike racks are considered to have the industry's highest stability standards. Racks stay securely strapped at all times and the bikes won't swing around and hit each other or the rear of the vehicle. Combines both beautiful design and rugged dependability. Easy to follow instructions included. The Saris Bones 3 carries three bikes and the Bones 2 can carry up to two.

» view Saris 801 Bones 3 bike trunk rack page
» view Saris 805 Bones 2 bike trunk rack page
» view Saris Bones 3 / Bones 2 video demo

You won't want to miss this ORS Racks Direct Productions video review and demonstration of the Thule 450 CrossRoad roof rack system. Ryan presents his case for why this car rack could be the last system you'll ever need to invest in. So universal is the Thule 450 Crossroad that it fits on virtually all vehicles with factory side rails. That means moving it over to any other automobile with factory rack side rails is a piece of cake. The rubber coated steel straps allow the Thule 450 Feet to tighten down super snugly on any side rails size and shape too. And installation time couldn't be quicker. How's 5 minutes sound?

» view Thule 450 CrossRoad car rack product page
» view Thule 450 CrossRoad video page

R.P. of Cross Plains, Texas ponied up a couple of sweet pics showing off his custom install of a bike rack mounted to a trailer hitch basket rack on his Ford F-150. He is using the Thule 594 Side Arm bike rack, which is normally intended for use on a roof rack setup. However, he's cleverly mounted the 594 Sidearm to a pair of extension arms on the back of his hitch basket. Now he's essentially got a platform style bike rack (such as the Thule T2, Thule 990 DoubleTrack, Yakima HoldUp or Yakima StickUp) and a hitch basket in one! Very creative R.P.!

» view Ford F-150 bike rack custom install page
» view all Ford Rack installs
» view Thule 594 Side Arm bike rack page

G.S. of Fernie, British Columbia spotted this RACK KING OF THE ROAD pictured here. What qualifies as a true Rack King of the Road? Well, originally we said it was a setup so innovative as to defy how regular folks think a vehicle rack system should normally look and behave (see here for example), but of course it also includes spectacular examples of car rack system design and engineering lasting decades, even centuries? And this vintage roof basket beauty is the perfect specimen! The question we leave to you is whether it's an original Yakima roof basket or Thule roof basket? Place your vote in yet another pointless online poll...

RACK KING OF THE ROAD VOTER POLL
» does this Rack King have a Yakima basket or Thule basket?
*click link to vote & see current results

» see all Rack Kings!

vehicle year / make / model: 2007 Saturn Ion

Question: I've been unable to determine if Yakima Racks has a compatible fit for my 2007 Saturn Ion. I am familiar with Yakima Racks as I've used their products in the past, so I'd be first interested to know if Yakima does have anything available for my 2007 Saturn Ion. However, if there is nothing I was hoping you'd be able to recommend other car rack companies that have a compatible 2007 Saturn Ion roof rack system.

Answer: Unfortunately as of this posting Yakima Racks does not make a roof rack system that works on the 2007 Saturn Ion. However, Thule Racks does have a couple of superb options we definitely recommend you check out...

The Thule 400XT Aero roof rack system is the first option for you to consider. The Thule 400XT Aero system includes four Thule 400XT Aero Feet, four Thule 2139 Fit Kit Clips (these Fit Kit Clips are specific to your 2007 Saturn Ion) and two load bars (the 50" load bars are the recommended length for the 07 Saturn Ion rooftop). You can then attach any of the various Thule Racks roof mount gear carriers to the front and rear load bars.

And the second option is the very stylish looking Thule 400XTR Rapid Aero complete base rack system. Works exactly the same way as the regular Thule 400XT Aero system (uses the same Thule 2139 Fit Kit clips too) except that it uses the elliptical Thule Rapid Aero load bars (the RB47 Rapid Aero bars are the length necessary for the 07 Satun ion), which are very sleek and aerodynamic offering a more low-profile, modern and premium appearance. You can then attach any of the various Thule roof mount gear carriers to these front and rear load bars as well.

» view Thule 400XT Aero roof rack page
» view Thule 400XTR Rapid Aero roof rack page
» view Thule 400XT Aero video demo

G.B. of Exeter, New Hampshire sent us some fantastic photos of his Audi AllRoad roof rack set up for carrying a kayak. The system includes the Thule 450 CrossRoad roof rack (attaches to the Audi AllRoad factory side rails) and the Thule 897XT Hullavator kayak rack. There is no kayak carrier setup available that will make it easier to get your kayak onto the car roof. The Thule 897XT Hullavator allows you to load the kayak very low to the ground on the side of the car. Then you effortlessly raise the kayak rack up into place on the roof rack and away you go! Save your energy for paddling, not straining to get your kayak loaded on the kayak rack. Great pics G.B.!

» view Audi AllRoad kayak roof rack install page
» view all Audi Rack installs
» view Thule 450 CrossRoad roof rack page
» view Thule 897XT Hullavator kayak rack page

L-O-W-R-I-D-E-R...sing along with Ryan as he shows you why the Yakima Lowrider roof rack system will make your four wheel ride the coolest. So easy to install and the Yakima Lowrider Towers mount to virtually all factory rack side rails (some hard to fit siderails require either the Yakima EZ Rider system or Yakima LowRider MAX system instead of the Yakima Lowrider so check with our Yakima online fit guide to determine which roof rack is right for your factory rails).

» view Yakima Lowrider car rack product page
» view Yakima Lowrider video page

Here's a chance to put some of that hard earned money right back into your pocket... Simply purchase any Yakima Racks products of $300 or more from ORS Racks Direct from 8/15/2008 thru 8/31/2008 and you automatically qualify for a very nice rebate. And don't worry about having to factor in our discounted Yakima Racks prices. This rebate offer is good for the original retail list price of Yakima items adding up to $300 or more.

YAKIMA RACKS REBATE OFFER DETAILS:

Spend $500 or more and get a $50 rebate.
Spend $400 - $499.99 and get a $40 rebate.
Spend $300 - $399.99 and get a $30 rebate.

vehicle year / make / model: 2005 Mini Cooper S

Question: I'm very interested in the best options for a 2005 Mini Cooper S rear mount bike rack system. I will be transporting a mountain bike and road bike (maybe a 3rd bike sometimes if I have a friend along). There is no trailer hitch receiver mounted on the Mini Cooper S currently, so I would need to have one installed if a hitch bike rack is what you feel I should go with. It is very important that the rack locks to the car so a hitch rack is probably the way to go vs. a trunk bike rack which I don't think is lockable to the car?

Answer: The Saris 851 Bones RS trunk bike rack is the option for you. There is simply no other rear mounting rack on the market that performs like the Bones RS! Besides fitting your 2005 Mini Cooper S perfectly, you will never have to remove it because this trunk bike rack locks to your car. The Saris Bones RS is also considered to have the highest stability standards of any trunk rack. Installs very easily and the Bones RS stays securely strapped at all times, no need need to have to continue readjusting the straps as you would need to do on other trunk mount bike racks. The cradles prevent the bikes from swinging around and hitting each other or the rear of the vehicle. Combines both beautiful design styling and rugged dependability. Easy to follow instructions included. The Saris Bones RS holds up to 3 bikes.

» view Saris 851 Bones RS bike trunk rack page
» view Saris Bones RS video demo

M.A. of Rockwood, Tennessee recently emailed us a great shot of his 2003 Chevrolet Silverado truck rack system for carrying a canoe. The setup includes the Thule 400XT Aero Half Pack roof rack on the cab roof (using a pair of Thule 2082 Fit Kit clips and the recommended single 58 inch length load bar), Thule 997 Goal Post t-bar hitch rack (includes a single 58 inch length load bar) and Thule 579XT canoe carrier that attaches to the 400XT Half Pack and 997 Goal Post load bars. This is an excellent image demonstrating how sturdy, solid and functional this truck rack set up is. And it's so easy to load the canoe. This setup is also ideal for hauling many other long loads on a pickup truck such as ladders, lumber, conduit & piping etc. Outstanding M.A.!

» view 2003 Chevy Silverado canoe truck rack install page
» view all Chevrolet Rack installs
» view Thule 400XT Half Pack rack page
» view Thule 997 Goal Post hitch rack page
» view Thule 579XT canoe rack page

Forget Spartacus, forget Gone With the Wind, settle in for an epic presentation by Ryan of the Thule 450R Rapid CrossRoad roof rack system in this ORS Racks Direct Productions video review and demonstration. Learn why the Thule 450R is considered by many to be the top choice for any vehicle with factory rack side rails. Gorgeous design styling makes the 450R the perfect match for any newer model vehicle. And the ease of installation means this roof rack mounts in just 5 minutes. Ryan also offers up all the accessory possibilities including Thule Locks, wind fairing and Thule Xadapt Kits.

» view Thule 450R Rapid CrossRoad car rack product page
» view Thule 450R Rapid CrossRoad video page

vehicle year / make / model: 2005 Subaru Forester

Question: I want to move away from the roof bike rack I'm currently using on my 2005 Subaru Forester and would instead like a much easier to access (I'm only 5' 3" tall) and load trunk mount bike rack to carry a mountain bike and road bike. Very important that it is sturdy and reliable as I plan to use it often.

Answer: You'll want to go with either the Yakima King Joe 2 or Thule 961XT trunk mount bike racks. Both offer the highest standards for reliability, stability and ease of use. The included Yakima SwitchBlade cradles on the King Joe 2 make it very easy to load both road bikes and mtn bikes, and they prevent the bikes from swinging around and hitting each other or the rear of your car. Thule Racks offers the similar T3 Cradles with No-Sway Cages on the 961XT to eliminate bike swing too. These racks are also the best option for anyone using a trunk bike rack often because the 6 strap system tightens down firmly and won't come loose over time like most other trunk bike racks end up doing. The Quick Trigger Hub on the KingJoe 2 makes it very easy to set the bike rack into perfect position on your 2005 Subaru Forester (the instructions tell you how to set the Hub for any make and model vehicle out there so its easy to switch the rack over to another car if you ever need to). And again, Thule Racks offers the very similar Fit Dial mechanism to accomplish the same tasks. If you want to carry 3 bikes you can go with the Yakima King Joe 3 or Thule 962XT Speedway versions instead.

» view Yakima King Joe 2 bike trunk rack page
» view Thule 961XT Speedway 2 bike trunk rack page

Put down your sport toys and pull on the tool belt to watch this ORS Racks Direct Productions video review and demonstration of the Thule 375 & 376 Pro truck racks. David hammers out all the reasons why these commercial / contractor grade truck racks are the perfect choice for any job site. Besides ultra-strong and rust-free aluminum construction, the Thule 376 and 375 Pro truck racks feature a tri slot design on the cross bars allowing for limitless configurations for all the accessories available with these pickup truck rack systems. Attach to the cross bars the optional roller, ladder rack, conduit box, eye-bolts and even an awning to keep you protected from the elements on the job site. Very quick installation, no drilling or tools required. Simply clamp onto any pickup truckbed side rails. Thule 376 Pro truck rack works on full-size pickup trucks while the Thule 375 is designed for use on compact size pickups. A set of 4 Load Stops is included with these truck rack systems also.

» view Thule 376 Pro truck rack product page
» view Thule 375 Pro truck rack product page
» view Thule 376 / 375 truck racks video page

R.G. of Brighton, Michigan has sent us several amazing photos of his 2008 Chrysler Pacifica roof rack and tandem bike carrier installation. The setup includes the Thule 430 Tracker II car rack system (using the Thule TK11 Tracker Kit and the recommended 50 inch length load bars for the 2008 Chrysler Pacifica roof top) and Thule 558p tandem bike rack. The pictures illustrate how impressive the tandem bike rack looks and performs. Also the pictures demonstrate how the Thule TK11 Kit installs seamlessly to the fixpoint attachments on the roof top of the Chrysler Pacifica. No drilling or anything required either. Fantastic setup R.G.!

» view 2008 Chrysler Pacifica bike roof rack install page
» view all Chrysler Rack installs
» view Thule 430 Tracker II car rack page
» view Thule 558p tandem bike rack page

J.S. of Oldsmar, Florida just emailed us a couple very nice photos of his 2008 VW GTI roof rack and bike carrier installation. The setup includes the Yakima Q Tower car rack system (using two pairs of Yakima Q102 clips and the recommended 58 inch length cross bars for the 2008 Volkswagen GTI 2 door roof top) and black Rocky Mounts Lariat SL fork mount bike rack. This is a super sleek system that matches the VW GTI's fast lines perfectly. Unbelievably fast looking setup J.S.!

» view 2008 VW GTI bike roof rack install page
» view all Volkswagen Rack installs
» view Yakima Q Towers car rack page
» view Rocky Mounts Lariat SL bike rack page

vehicle year / make / model: 2006 Ford Ranger super cab

Question: I need to transport 2 16 foot canoes in the truck bed of my 2006 Ford Ranger extended cab pickup truck. What do you suggest I use to accomplish this task? FYI, I'd like to have full access to the truckbed even while the canoes are loaded so I can carry other cargo gear. I believe the canoes would need to be high enough to extend over the cab roof without any obstructions?

Answer: There are two very popular methods to choose from to carry canoes on truck racks. The first way is to use a truck rack system in the pickup truckbed only. The second way is to use a single crossbar on the cab roof and a t-bar style rack in a rear hitch receiver.

TRUCKBED RACK SYSTEM
For your 2006 Ford Ranger extended cab the Yakima Outdoorsman 300 (compact size) truck bed rack system is a superb option. The Yakima Outdoorsman Towers are sold as a half set so you will need to be sure to get two half sets of Outdoorsman 300 Towers to make a complete set of 4 Towers for the front and rear of your Ford Ranger truck bed. You will also need to purchase a pair of 78 inch cross bars to use with the Outdoorsman Towers (this length is necessary for carrying 2 canoes at the same time). You can then connect the Yakima canoe carriers directly to the two cross bars. Easy to follow installation instructions included. This truck rack is simple to install with no drilling required. The Towers quickly clamp onto the bed siderails. You can then choose the Yakima Gunwale Brackets Canoe Carrier. Connects directly to Outdoorsman 300 truck rack front and rear cross bars. Four Gunwale brackets included and two heavy-duty padded straps included also. For carrying 2 canoes you will just need to get 2 sets of Yakima Gunwale Brackets canoe carrier.

CAB ROOF CROSS BAR & HITCH MOUNT T-BAR
For this option you would want to go with the Yakima Q Tower half pack system for your Ford Ranger cab roof. This includes a pair of Q Towers, a pair of Yakima Q25 clips (these are made specifically for your 2006 Ford Ranger) and a single crossbar (get the 78 inch length crossbar for carrying 2 canoes). Then you will need the Yakima DryDock t-bar style rack that attaches to a 2" trailer hitch receiver. You'll need to get a 78 inch length crossbar to attach to the DryDock. Then you just attach the Yakima Gunwale Brackets (already mentioned above) to the crossbars on this setup and you are good to go with carrying 2 canoes.

» view Yakima Outdoorsman 300 truck rack page
» view Yakima Q Tower Half Pack roof rack page
» view Yakima DryDock t-bar hitch rack page
» view Yakima Gunwale Brackets canoe rack page
» view example Ford Ranger truck rack install page

A.B. of Montpelier, Vermont found a true RACK KING OF THE ROAD pictured here. What qualifies as a true Rack King of the Road? A setup so innovative as to defy how regular folks think a vehicle rack system should normally look and behave of course! And while we mere rack mortals cannot ever really know whether such Rack King of the Road systems actually perform successfully or not, there's no reason we can't put it to vote with yet another pointless online poll...

RACK KING OF THE ROAD VOTER POLL
» does this Rack King keep or lose his load?
*click link to vote & see current results

» see all Rack Kings!

You'll be glad you're watching this ORS Racks Direct Productions video review and demonstration of the Yakima KingCobra bike rack from the other side of your computer screen because Andy lets this bad boy out of the box to show off all its fantastic features. Find out if Andy survives the ultimate face-off with the King Cobra. Can he point out everything from universal compatibility with any bicycle wheel size, even large diameter 29ers, to the rapid-fire bike loading design before the King Cobra strikes?

» view Yakima King Cobra bike rack product page
» view Yakima KingCobra video page

ORS Racks Direct has just launched an exciting new opportunity to pick up some fantastic Yakima Racks, Thule Racks and many other models we carry at deeply discounted prices. The program is called Red Hot Returns and refers to any items that have been returned by the original purchaser and/or taken out and "returned" to their boxes, such as items featured in ORS Racks Direct product demo videos, in-store product display models etc.

ORS Racks Direct Red Hot Returns are currently broken out into 6 different categories: 1) roof rack and truck rack products 2) bike rack products 3) watersport rack products (includes canoe, kayak, surfboard racks etc.) 4) ski rack and snowboard rack products 5) cargo and luggage carriers (includes roof boxes, cargo bags, gear baskets etc.) 6) all other miscellaneous accessories (includes rack locks, storage racks, mightmounts, adapter clamps, lift-assists etc.)

Visit the links below to view our current Red Hot Returns offerings:

» roof rack and truck rack red hot returns
» bike rack red hot returns
» watersport rack red hot returns
» ski rack and snowboard rack red hot returns
» cargo and luggage carrier red hot returns
» miscellaneous accessories red hot returns

Super-hero Ryan dons the cape and spandex to join forces with the Yakima MightyMounts Adapter Clamps in this ORS Racks Direct Productions video review and demonstration. Together they fight off all issues of incompatibility when it comes to attaching many Yakima roof mount gear cariers to vehicle factory rack bars. With the Yakima Mighty Mounts clamps you can often times attach a Yakima gear carrier to factory crossbars when they would otherwise only fit Yakima round bars or Thule square load bars. The Yakima Mighty Mounts are an innovative and affordable solution for carrying gear on car factory racks.

» view Yakima Universal Mighty Mounts product page
» view Yakima Horizontal Mighty Mounts product page
» view Yakima Vertical Mighty Mounts product page
» view Yakima MightyMounts video page

E.G. of Rutland, Vermont recently sent us several superb shots of his 2003 Audi A6 roof rack and bike carrier installation. The setup includes the Yakima Q Tower car rack system (using two pairs of Yakima Q72 clips and the recommended 48 inch length cross bars), Yakima 44" wind-noise faring and Yakima HighRoller upright mount bike rack. The entire system complements the Audi A6 just perfectly and the premium Yakima High Roller bike rack makes it effortless for E.G. to load and unload his burly freeride bike every time. Excellent E.G.!

» view 2003 Audi A6 roof rack install page
» view all Audi Rack installs
» view Yakima Q Towers car rack page
» view Yakima 8002091 High Roller bike rack page

David plays the ultimate tough guy in this ORS Racks Direct Productions video review and demonstration of the Yakima SteelHead bike rack. Witness David throwing his weight around to get all the answers on what makes the Yakima SteelHead such a popular model in the fork mount bike rack category. Easy installation, quick bike loading and classic good looks all combine to make the Yakima SteelHead the perfect choice.

» view Yakima Steelhead bike rack product page
» view Yakima 8002045 Steel Head video page

J.F. of Fort Myers, Florida has sent us some stunning photos of her 2008 Scion xB roof rack installation. The setup includes the Yakima Q Tower car rack system (using two pairs of Yakima Q32 clips and the recommended 58 inch length cross bars). The Scion xB and Q Towers system epitomize beauty balanced with strength and durability. The Q Tower system is now ready for any roof mount gear carriers J.F. decides to attach to the crossbars. Awesome J.F.!

» view 2008 Scion xB roof rack install page
» view all Scion Rack installs
» view Yakima Q Towers car rack page

vehicle year / make / model: 2007 Ford Edge

Question: I'm driving a 2007 Ford Edge that has a factory roof rack installed on it already. What I'm looking for is a roof cargo carrier solution for transporting my daughter's stuff to school next month. What do you suggest?

Answer: We highly recommend both the Thule 686 Atlantis 1600 cargo box and Thule 603 Ascent 1500 cargo box as superb options for your needs. These cargo boxes will connect directly to your 2007 Ford Edge factory rack crossbars. The Thule Racks 686 Atlantis box and Thule Racks 603 Ascent box both offer excellent cargo volume and are ideal for transporting all types of various luggage, clothing and cargo gear items your daughter needs at college. These boxes will also serve you well throughout the year for vacationing, camping, carrying golf clubs, transporting skis and snowboards during winter and a whole lot more. The Thule 686 Atlantis 1600 roof box and Thule 603 Ascent 1500 roof box are both a perfectly sized match for the 2007 Ford Edge as well. These cargo boxes come with locks included for securing your gear inside each box.

» view Thule 603 Ascent roof cargo carrier page
» view Thule 686 Atlantis roof cargo carrier page
» view example Thule 603 Ascent 1500 box install page
» view example Thule 686 Atlantis 1600 box install page

S.G. of Fort Collins, Colorado emailed us a couple of very nice pics of her Toyota Corolla bike roof rack installation. The setup includes the Yakima Q Tower car rack system (using a pair of Yakima Q99 clips and a pair of Yakima Q31 clips), the Yakima 44 inch wind-noise deflector faring and a couple of very sweet looking Yakima 8002090 SprocketRocket bike racks. This system gets an A+ on all accounts...super solid components that will last years worry free combined with knock-out styling and premium good looks. We love it S.G.!

» view Toyota Corolla bike roof rack install page
» view all Toyota Rack installs
» view Yakima Q Towers roof rack page
» view Yakima SprocketRocket bike rack page

Flippin' sweet, flippin' great, flippin' cool...check out the flippin' G-Rated movie version of the Yakima FlipSide hitch bike rack in this ORS Racks Direct Productions video review and demonstration. Ryan doesn't need to use any 4 letter expletives or cursin' profanity to explain how amazing the Yakima 8002426 Flip Side trailer hitch mount bike rack is. Yakima Racks has done it again with this truly innovative design that allows the FlipSide to flip all the way down to either side allowing you total access to the rear of your vehicle. Compatible with both 2 inch and 1-1/4 inch hitches and holds up to 4 bikes of any style, shape or size. The smart guys at Yakima Racks have once again thought of everything, there's even a built-in bottle opener!

» view Yakima FlipSide hitch bike rack product page
» view Yakima 8002426 Flip Side video page

P.S. of Boise, Idaho has just sent us a fantastic pic of his 2004 Ford Ranger camper shell kayak roof rack installation. The setup includes the Yakima 60 inch tracks permanently installed on the fiberglass truckshell cap, Yakima Control Tower system (using the LP1 Landing Pads and 58 inch crossbars) which snaps right into the Yakima Tracks and 2 Yakima HullRaiser kayak racks. This is a superb solution for installing a roof rack system onto any pickup truck camper shell, topper, cap or whatever you call them. Well done P.S.!

» view Ford Ranger camper shell roof rack install page
» view all Ford Rack installs
» view Yakima 60" Tracks page
» view Yakima Control Tower roof rack page
» view Yakima HullRaiser kayak rack page

Is this another foreign film based on the german outerspace genre? No the Yakima SprocketRocket roof bike rack soars for other reasons in this ORS Racks Direct Productions video review and demonstration. And Andrew explains in plain english just why the Yakima Sprocket Rocket is indeed Yakima Racks premium offering in the fork mount bike rack category. The huge dial makes it so simple to perfectly tighten the bike forks in the bike rack skewer even with those irritating bike fork safety tabs. And once you have the dial adjusted the first time there's no need to have to repeat the adjustment process when you load the bicycle onto the Yakima SprocketRocket bike rack in the future. And the styling of the bike tray is so good looking you'll never tire of admiring your good taste in choosing this beauty!

» view Yakima SprocketRocket roof bike rack product page
» view Yakima 8002090 Sprocket Rocket video page

A.L. of Bay Area, California recently emailed us a couple great photos of his 2007 Toyota 4-Runner ski & snowboard rack installation. The setup includes the Yakima 8003068 FatCat 6 snowboard-ski carrier. Representing the pinnacle of ski rack innovation and design styling, nothing currently comes close to the Yakima Fat Cat 6 (and his little bro' the Yakima Fat Cat 4) in ease of use, universal compatibility with virtually all factory rack crossbars, Thule bars and of course Yakima rack bars. And the premium, modern appearance with low-profile and aerodynamic design gets you the VIP spot in the ski resort parking lot every time...yep, the FatCat 6 looks phat on your 4Runner A.L.!

» view Toyota 4Runner ski-snowboard rack install page
» view all Toyota Rack installs
» view Yakima Fat Cat 6 ski rack page
» view Yakima FatCat 4 ski rack page

vehicle year / make / model: 2004 Toyota Sienna

Question: I am very new at this and interested in the Thule 897XT Hullavator for my kayak but am not sure what I would need to purchase for crossrails on my 2004 Toyota Sienna. It does have a factory rack currently.

Answer: The Thule 897XT Hullavator side-loading kayak carrier is without a doubt the most user friendly kayak rack available for one person to effortlessly load and unload a kayak from any vehicle roof top. However, the Thule 897XT Hullavater is not compatible with factory rack crossbars. It is compatible with Thule cross bars and Yakima round bars only. Therefore, we highly recommend the Thule 450 Crossroad complete base rack system for your 2004 Toyota Sienna. This system attaches directly to the Toyota Sienna factory rack side rails, converting your factory rack side rails into a sturdy base rack system that is compatible with the Thule 897XT Hullavator and also capable of safely transporting your kayak. Includes a set of four Thule 450 Crossroad Feet and a pair of load bars. The 50" load bars are the recommended length for the 2004 Toyota Sienna. You can then attach the Thule 897XT Hullavator to the 450 CrossRoad load bars.

Another superb option is the Thule 450R Rapid CrossRoad complete base rack system. The Thule 450R Rapid Crossroad car rack works exactly the same way as the regular Thule 450 Crossroad system except that it uses the elliptical Thule Rapid Aero load bars (the Thule RB47 Rapid Aero bars are the length necessary for the 2004 Toyota Sienna), which are very sleek and aerodynamic offering a more low-profile, modern and premium appearance. The Thule 897XT Hullavator will also attach directly to the Rapid Aero load bars as well.

» view Thule 450 Crossroad car rack page
» view Thule 450R Rapid Crossroad car rack page
» view Thule 897XT Hullavator kayak rack page
» view example Toyota Sienna roof rack install page

vehicle year / make / model: 2008 Ford Ranger ext. cab

Question: I'm looking for a 2008 Ford Ranger truck bed truck rack system for my 17 ft canoe or 12 ft x 4 ft wide aluminum row boat, would only be carrying one at a time, also would like to be able to remove the truck rack if I need to when not in use. The 2008 Ford Ranger is the extended cab version. No truck shell or anything in the truck bed.

Answer: We highly recommend the Thule 421 Xsporter pickup truck bed truck rack as an excellent option for transporting a canoe or aluminum rowboat in the truckbed of your 2008 Ford Ranger. You will not need to purchase any additional carriers for connecting to the Thule 421 Xsporter truck rack load bars either. This is because a set of Thule Xstops is included with the truck rack. This is a superb multi-purpose equipment carrier that is ideal for items such as a canoe and rowboat. The Xstops are also perfect for carrying ladders, lumber etc. The 421 Xsporter is an excellent combination commercial utility / sports gear truck rack system. Height adjustable too. Choose the setting for your needs, high position for long items and low position for shorter items and easy loading. Rugged construction with a load capacity of 450 lbs. Beautiful aluminum styling with no rusting to worry about. Set of Thule locks included for locking the truck rack to your truck bed. You can also easily remove this truck rack from your Ford Ranger truckbed if you do not want to leave it installed when not in use.

» view Thule 421 Xsporter truck rack page
» view example 2008 Ford Ranger truck rack install page

The ORS Racks Direct crew just completed a recent Toyota FJ Cruiser roof rack install for a customer that had no Toyota FJ Cruiser factory rack currently installed. This is an excellent example of how ORS Racks Direct can set you up with everything you need for installing a permanent rack system on a vehicle that otherwise has no options for any other type of after-market roof rack system. For this install the crew simply used two pairs of the Yakima #6 Landing Pads for permanently mounting to the Toyota FJ Cruiser fiberglass roof top. If you have a vehicle with a metal roof then you would choose the Yakima #7 Landing Pads instead. After the Yakima Landing Pads are installed, you can then quickly attach a set of Yakima Control Towers and pair of Yakima cross bars (a pair of 66" length bars was used here) to the #6 Landing Pads or #7 Landing Pads. Thule Racks offers a similar solution using the Thule TK13 Tracker Kits for fiberglass roofs and Thule TK14 Tracker Kits for metal roofs. You then mount a set of Thule 430 Tracker II Feet with square load bars or Thule 430R Rapid Tracker II Feet with Rapid Aero bars to the TK13 or TK14 Kits.

Another great option is to use permanently mounting Thule Tracks or Yakima Tracks. This setup offers the additional flexibility of allowing you to adjust forward and backward exactly where you want the roof rack to sit on the roof because the roof rack can slide along the tracks and then lock into the desired roof rack position. For Yakima Tracks, once the Tracks are installed you simply attach the Yakima Control Tower roof rack system to the Yakima Tracks using the Yakima #1 Landing Pads. And for Thule Tracks you mount the Thule 430 Tracker II roof rack system or Thule 430R Rapid Tracker II system to the Thule Tracks using the Thule TK1 Tracker Kit.

There are many possible applications for using these permanently installing roof racks. These are great options for any car, van or truck that cannot use any other type of roof rack system. Any pickup truck caps, camper shells, toppers and such can use these roof rack systems. And other specific applications like pop-up camper roof tops and certain tonneau covers are ideal for these permently installing systems. Installation is very easy and all components come with easy-to-follow instructions so anyone can perform the install themselves. Minimal tools are required and all hardware and components are included with each system. If you have additional questions about a certain vehicle that you think might be ideal for a permanently installed system feel free to contact us and we can work with you to select the ideal system for your specific vehicle and needs.

» view complete Yakima Control Tower roof rack page
» view complete Thule 430 Tracker II roof rack page
» view complete Thule 430R Rapid Tracker roof rack page
» view Yakima 6 / 7 Landing Pads page
» view Thule TK13 / TK14 Tracker Kits page
» view Yakima Roof Tracks page
» view Thule Roof Tracks page

Spend a wild night on the town with swingin' Ryan as he hooks up with the Yakima SwingDaddy hitch bike rack in this ORS Racks Direct Productions video review and demonstration. Things heat up very quickly as Ryan dresses down the Yakima SwingDaddy exposing its well-equipped premium features -- fully swings away off to the side of the vehicle for easy access to vehicle without having to take the bikes off, best-in-class bike cradles and stability features so rack never sways and bicycles are prevented from swinging into each other or the back of the automobile, all security accessories included too. And any real swinger will be thrilled to know there's also a built-in bottle opener!

» view Yakima SwingDaddy hitch bike rack product page
» view Yakima 8002422 Swing Daddy video page

N.B. of San Louis Obispo, California recently sent us a stellar pic of her Acura MDX rear trunk mount bike rack installation. The setup includes the Saris 801 Bones 3 bike trunk rack. The Bones 3 bike rack has beautiful design styling that is a terrific match for any classsy vehicle such as the Acura MDX. Plus the Saris Bones 3 offers effortless installation onto just about any vehicle and rapid bike loading for any type of bicycle too. You chose a winner N.B.!

» view Acura MDX trunk bike rack install page
» view all Acura Rack installs
» view Saris 801 Bones 3 product page

P.B. of Richelieu, Quebec Canada has emailed us a fantastic photo of his 2005 Nissan XTerra factory rack mounted cargo gear box installation. The setup includes the Yakima 8007158 SkyBox 16 mounted directly to the 2005 Nissan XTerra factory rack crossbars. P.B. says he uses the Yakima SkyBox 16 roof box for camping gear items and such. This is an ideal choice for his needs indeed, and the cargo box looks just superb on the XTerra too. Bonne Chance with your adventures P.B.!

» view 2005 Nissan Xterra roof box install page
» view all Nissan Rack installs
» view Yakima SkyBox 16 cargo box product page

You won't want to miss action rack star Steve as he teams up with the Thule 897XT Hullavator kayak rack in this ORS Racks Direct Productions video review and demonstration. Together they fight off all imitation kayak carriers that make it difficult to load and unload a boat. With the side-loading Thule 897XT Hullavater you'll never have to stress out again about getting your kayak mounted on your car.

» view Thule 897XT Hullavator kayak rack product page
» view Thule 897XT Hullavator video page

Follow Ryan as he takes you on adventure to discover the features of the Thule 517 Peloton bike rack in another video review and demonstration by ORS Racks Direct Productions. Beautiful classic Thule Racks styling combined with ridiculously easy installing and bike loading design makes the Thule 517 Peloton an obvious choice for carrying all styles of bicycles.

» view Thule 517 Peloton bike rack product page
» view Thule 517 Peleton video page

G.S. of Collierville, Tennessee just sent us an outstanding pic of his 2008 Honda Pilot roof rack and kayak carriers installation. The setup includes the Thule 450R Rapid Crossroad roof rack system and 2 Thule 835PRO Hull-a-Port folding kayak racks. This car deserves this premium configuration. Just beautiful and very easy to load the kayaks too. Plus the Thule 835PRO kayak racks can instantly fold all the way flat when not in use so there's no overhead clearance issues or ever being accused of driving around with lightning rods attached to the roof! Very slick G.S.!

» view 2008 Honda Pilot kayak rack install page
» view all Honda Rack installs
» view Thule 450R Rapid CrossRoad product page
» view Thule 835PRO Hull-a-Port product page

See Andrew live in action now as he lets it all hang out with a fantastic Inno BoardLocker surfboard rack video review and demonstration. Andrew covers the features of this premium locking surfboard carrier. Besides being lockable, it installs lightning quick on virtually all styles of factory racks as well as Thule bars and Yakima bars and can hold up to 3 surfboards or 2 windsurfers.

» view Inno Boardlocker surfboard rack product page
» view Inno INA744 BoardLocker video page

vehicle year / make / model: 2006 Chevy Suburban

Question: I'm seeking a suitable 2006 Chevy Suburban canoe rack for carrying my 16 ft canoe. I do have a factory rack with crossbars currently installed to the Chevy Suburban.

Answer: A very affordable and solid canoe rack option is the Malone MPG104 BigFoot canoe carrier for your 2006 Chevrolet Suburban factory rack. The Malone Big Foot is the only four point L-bracket gunnel system that mounts directly to factory rack cross bars. A very solid and inexpensive canoe rack solution that eliminates any side to side shifting etc. Includes a pair of heavy duty load straps. For total canoe transport safety we do also recommend a pair of bow & stern tie down straps (see bottom of BigFoot product page for this accessory) to secure the front and rear of the canoe to the underside of the Chevy Suburban.

» view Malone Big Foot canoe rack page

D.B. of White River Junction, Vermont has just submitted some sweet pics of his 2006 Ford Escape roof rack and canoe, kayak & bike carriers installation. The setup includes the Yakima Control Towers car rack system that is attached to the Ford Escape factory rack tracks using the Yakima #1 Landing Pads. This replaces his incompatible and under load rated factory rack with a very rugged and durable multi-purpose base rack system that can handle the weight of the bike, kayak and canoe. The Yakima Copperhead bike rack, Yakima Gunwale Brackets canoe carrier and Yakima HullRaiser j-cradle style kayak rack are all attached to the Control Towers base rack cross bars. This is an excellent example of how you can outfit yourself with a slick roof rack system for carrying several different types of gear. The use of the HullRaiser is smart because it uses up less crossbar space than other kayak carriers that transport the kayak flat. So D.B. can carry all this stuff with the 58 inch length Yakima cross bars on the Control Towers system. Nice going D.B.!

» view 2006 Ford Escape kayak canoe bike rack install page
» view all Ford Rack installs

Ryan delivers a stunning performance in our new action packed video review and demonstration of the Thule 990 DoubleTrack hitch bike rack. Follow Ryan as he explains all the great features of this all-new platform bike tray style hitch mount bike rack. Find out what Thule Racks RQL (Ratcheting Quick Load) technology is all about. The Thule 990 Double Track is compatible with both 1-1/4" hitches and 2" hitches and can carry 2 bicycles of any style, size or shape.

» view Thule 990 DoubleTrack bike rack product page
» view Thule 990 Double Track video page

vehicle year / make / model: 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Question: I have a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer with the factory rack currently installed. I would like to carry various items on the vehicle at once, anything from bikes to kayaks & canoe and luggage + camping gear and stuff. Is the factory rack going to be able to handle all this?

Answer: You will in fact need to replace your factory rack on your 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer with a compatible and load rated base rack system that can handle transporting all that gear and equipment. The Yakima Control Towers Complete Roof Rack System is engineered to fit your vehicle perfectly and is very quick to install. Using the set of Yakima #1 (LP1) Landing Pads (specifically made for your vehicle and included with Control Towers), the Control Tower multi-purpose base rack system connects directly to your factory rack tracks, replacing your factory rack with a compatible and load rated system for transporting your gear. Easy to follow instructions make the installation a snap (the Yakima LP1 Landing Pads simply snap into the factory rack tracks, no drilling required). The Yakima 48 inch cross bars are the recommended length for the 06 Chevy Trailblazer rooftop. However, you can always choose longer cross bars if you will need more room for carrying several items at once. With the Yakima Control Tower system in place you can then attach any of Yakima Racks various roof mount gear carriers right to the cross bars.

» view Yakima Control Tower car rack system page
» view example of similar vehicle with Control Tower system

J.C. of Westerly, Rhode Island recently sent us some slick pics of his 1994 Toyota Land Cruiser cargo gear basket installation. The setup includes the Yakima 42 inch tracks which mount permanently to the Land Cruiser roof top, Yakima Control Tower roof rack system, which attaches to the Yakima tracks using a set of Yakima #1 Landing Pads, and the Yakima LoadWarrior roof basket which mounts directly to the Control Tower multi-purpose base rack system cross bars. Now J.C. has a basket rack setup that is as rugged as the places he takes his Land Cruiser!

» view 1994 Toyota Land Cruiser basket rack install page
» view all Toyota Rack installs
» view Yakima 8007070 LoadWarrior product page

Fans of Ryan have begun to bowdown to his all-star performance in our latest video review and demonstration of the Yakima BowDown kayak rack. Ryan shows off all the great new features of this premium j-cradle style kayak rack including that it can fold down all the way flat, when no kayak is loaded on it, for improved fuel efficiency and avoiding any low overhangs like garages and such. The Yakima BowDown works with all styles of kayaks, fits any factory racks as well as Thule bars and Yakima bars and can optionally lock to the roof rack crossbars too.

» view Yakima BowDown kayak rack product page
» view Yakima Bow Down video page

vehicle year / make / model: 2004 Chrysler Pacifica

Question: I'm having a very difficult time finding a car rack that fits my 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. It currently has no factory rack or anything installed on it. I'm specifically looking for a car rack system for carrying luggage.

Answer: You need to look to Thule Racks to find a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica roof rack for luggage or transporting any other kinds of gear. The Thule 430 Tracker II Complete Roof Rack Base System is engineered to fit your 04 Chrysler Pacifica perfectly and is very quick to install. It attaches directly to the fixpoints located on your roof top that Chrysler has provided. No drilling or anything required and easy to follow instructions included, the Thule 430 Tracker II includes a pair of square load bars, four 430 Tracker II Feet and a set of four TK Tracker Kits (choose the TK11 Kits for your specific 2004 Chrysler Pacifica). The TK11 Tracker Kits quickly install to the fixpoints on the roof top and each 430 Tracker II Foot then snaps onto each TK11 Tracker Kit. You can then attach the cargo luggage carrier directly to the load bars. The 50inch load bars are the recommended length for your vehicle.

The Thule 430R Rapid Tracker II roof rack system is also ideal for the Chrysler Pacifica. It works exactly the same way as the regular Thule 430 Tracker II system but is a more premium alternative due to the sleek Thule Rapid Aero load bars it uses rather than the classic square Thule load bars used on the regular 430 Tracker II system. You will need to choose the Thule RB53 53" length Rapid Aero bars for use with your vehicle. Otherwise the Thule 430R Rapid Tracker II system uses the same TK11 Tracker Kits. You can also mount all the same Thule cargo luggage carriers to the Rapid Aero load bars.

We then highly recommend both the Thule 686 Atlantis 1600 cargo box and Thule 603 Ascent 1500 cargo box as superb options for your needs. These luggage boxes will connect directly to both the Thule 430 Tracker II system base rack square bars and the Thule 430R Rapid Tracker II system base rack Rapid Aero bars. The Thule 686 Atlantis and Thule 603 Ascent both offer excellent cargo volume and are ideal for transporting luggage etc. They are both a perfectly sized match for your vehicle as well. These luggage boxes come with locks included for securing your gear inside.

» view Thule 430 Tracker II car rack page
» view Thule 430R Rapid Tracker II car rack page
» view Thule 686 Atlantis 1600 cargo luggage box page
» view Thule 603 Ascent 1500 cargo luggage box page

C.M. of Kalaheo, Hawaii just emailed us some fantastic pics of her 2003 Volkswagen Beetle roof rack and surfboard carrier installation. The setup includes the Thule 752 specialty roof rack system that is made specifically for VW New Beetle models and also the Thule 554XT Hang-Two surfboard rack. An outstanding configuration that will safely carry even long boards like C.M. 10' 10" stand up on a short roof line like the Beetle has. For sure we'll be checking out these pics for some warmth when it plummets to -20 in January here in Vermont!

» view 2003 VW New Beetle surfboard rack install page
» view all VW Volkswagon Rack installs
» view Thule 752 VW Roof Rack product page
» view Thule 554XT Hang-Two product page

Already considered to be one of the finest car rack video actors anywhere, David brings down the house in another epic video review and demonstration of the Thule 867 Tahoe car rack luggage bag. David explains in detail the premium features of the Thule 867 Tahoe including it's ultra-rugged and totally water-resistant construction. This car rack gear bag adjusts to two cargo capacities as well - 15 cu/ft and 17 cu/ft. David shows you how this bag pulls it off!

» view Thule 867 Tahoe roof rack bag product page
» view Thule 867 Tahoe bag video page

vehicle year / make / model: 2008 Kia Optima

Question: I need to carry bicycles on my 2008 Kia Optima and interested in what would be recommended as a suitable strap on rear trunk mount bike rack for this vehicle.

Answer: For a 2008 Kia Optima trunk bike rack we highly recommend both the Yakima King Joe 3 and King Joe 2 trunk mount bike racks as superb options. The King Joes are engineered to fit your vehicle perfectly. The King Joes have the industry's highest stability standards with easy to follow instructions included and are very quick to install and remove. With the integrated Yakima Quick Trigger Hub you can instantly dial the bike rack to perfect adjustment for any vehicle so you know your bikes will always be transported safely and securely. The included Yakima Stable Cradles make it very easy to load the bikes and also prevents them from swinging into each other or ever swaying into the rear of your car. The Yakima KingJoe 3 transports three bicycles and the Yakima KingJoe 2 carries up to 2 bikes.

» view Yakima King Joe 3 trunk bike rack page
» view Yakima King Joe 2 trunk bike rack page

G.S. of Eureka, Montana has just emailed us some sweet photos of his 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser roof rack and cargo box installation. The setup includes the Thule 450 CrossRoad system which mights right to the Toyota FJ Cruiser factory rack side rails and also the Thule 685 Atlantis 1200 cargo roof box. The premium looking Atlantis roof box looks superb aloft the FJ Cruiser and is plenty rugged enough for all the off-road adventures G.S. loves to take!

» view 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser roof box install page
» view all Toyota Rack installs
» view Thule 685 Atlantis 1200 product page

Andrew needs no supporting actors in this solid performance for ORS Racks Direct Productions' video review and demonstration of the Thule 835XTR & 835PRO Hull-a-Port kayak racks. Andrew covers the features of these premium j-cradle style kayak carriers. Yes, j-kayak racks are by far the most popular style of roof rack kayak carriers on the market today, but the 835PRO and 835XTR are unrivalled in ease of installation, universal compatibility with any factory racks as well as Thule bars and Yakima bars and offer best in class snug fit padding for simultaneously delivering super security during transit and kayak protection. Plus the Thule 835PRO can fold down totally flat when no boat is being used, aiding in better fuel-efficiency and avoiding any accidents when pulling into a garage or other low over-hangs.

» view Thule 835PRO kayak rack product page
» view Thule 835XTR kayak rack product page
» view Thule 835PRO / 835XTR video page

In yet another demanding role, David is sure to pick up some new fans in ORS Racks Direct Productions' video review and demonstration of the Yakima Viper bike rack. David guides you through the feature-packed and easy-to-install and use Yakima Viper fork mount bike rack. This bike carrier is compatible with both Yakima bars and Thule bars and works with all syles and sizes of bikes. Compatible with disc brakes too.

» view Yakima Viper bike rack product page
» view Yakima Viper video page

We just scored some beautiful pics from P.M. of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin of her 2005 Mercury Mountaineer factory roof rack mounted kayak carrier installation. The setup includes the Yakima BowDown kayak rack. We cannot say enough good things about j-cradle style kayak carriers. Not only are they compatible with virtually all factory rack crossbars and also all styles of kayaks, they also take up much less room than traditional style kayak carriers that transport a kayak flat. J-cradle kayak racks use up much less crossbar space so you can add an additional carrier to factory racks for carrying a second boat. This is normally not possible with kayak racks that carry the boat flat. The premium Yakima BowDown includes exclusive features not found on other j-cradle style kayak carriers. The BowDown can optionally fold flat when not in use, ideal for low overhangs such as garages and also increased fuel efficiency. And the Yakima BowDown can also optionally lock to the roof rack crossbars too, a unique feature not found on any other models. Thanks for the nice photos P.M.!

» view 2005 Mercury Mountaineer kayak rack install page
» view Yakima 8004042 BowDown product page
» view all j-kayak rack style models