by Rack James on November 11, 2009
Q: I want to carry skis, but I cannot find the roof rack for my car. My car is a business style car which doesn’t have a fixed rack on roof. So, It looks a little bit difficult to implement the roof rack without the rack. Could you recommend one for my style vehicle?
Thank you very much in advance
Q for you: What kind of car are driving?
A: 2009 Ford Fusion
Solution: Your vehicle has what we call a naked roof, and you need a multipurpose base rack system that will provide you with the crossbars you need to mount your ski rack, or any other attachment for that matter. I would suggest a Yakima Q-Tower System for your base rack and the Yakima Fat Cat 6 for your ski rack. To lock everything down, make sure you get yourself a Yakima SKS 6 lock pack, which will protect your base rack, your ski rack, and of course your skis from theft, and all with one key.
by rackdawg on September 29, 2009
Q: What do you recommend for a 2008 Pontiac Vibe kayak raoof rack to carry 2 kayaks? The 08 Pontiac Vibe has factory side rails currently but no cross bars. I need crossbars to attach the kayak carriers to correct?
A: Yes, you need to install a roof rack system with crossbars on your 2008 Pontiac Vibe factory side rails. The Thule 450 Crossroad, Inno INFR and Yakima RailGrab multi-purpose base rack systems will all attach directly to the Pontiac Vibe factory rack side rails, converting your factory rack side rails into a sturdy base rack system capable of safely transporting your 2 kayaks. You will then connect the kayak carriers to the cross bars.
An excellent easy loading kayak carrier system for your needs is the Thule 884 Roll Model. Works with all types of kayaks and uses one pair of sadles on the front load bar and a combination pair of saddles and a roller on the rear load bar . This set up provides the easiest most hassle free loading and unloading system available. If transporting 2 kayaks, you will want to order 2 sets of the 884 Roll Model and you will need to go with the longer 58″ length crossbars on the roof rack base systems listed above for 2 kayaks.
The Thule 835PRO Hull-A-Port is a great universal kayak rack attachment that uses a j-cradle design for easy loading/unloading of your kayak. A great feature of this kayak carrier is that it allows the cradles to fold down when not in use, avoiding any clearance issues such as a garage etc. Order 2 sets for 2 kayaks. This carrier uses up very little crossbar space so you can use the short length cross bars with the roof racks listed above when carring 2 kayaks.
The Inno INA444 Kayak Rack is a superb option if interested in an integrated kayak lock system to lock the kayak to the rack. If transporting 2 kayaks, you will want to order 2 sets of the INA444 and you will need to go with the longer 58″ length crossbars on the roof rack base systems listed above for 2 kayaks.
Tagged as:
Pontiac Vibe
by rackdawg on September 29, 2009
Q: I need some help in selecting the correct 2004 Chrysler Pacifica roof rack and cargo carrier for transporting a tent, some camping equipment and luggage. Thanks!
A: The Thule 430 Tracker II roof rack system is designed to fit your 2004 Chrysler Pacifica perfectly because it attaches directly to the fixed attachment points that Chrysler has provided on the Pacifica rooftop. No drilling required, the 430 Tracker II includes four TK11 Tracker Kits that snap directly into these attachment points on the Chrysler Pacifica roof top. The other components included in this system are four Thule 430 Tracker II Feet (these snap onto the TK11 Kits that are mounted to the rooftop points) and a pair of load bars. You can then attach the cargo box to the load bars. The 50 inch load bars are the recommended length for the Pacifica’s rooftop.
Both the Thule 686 Atlantis 1600 cargo box and Thule 603 Ascent 1500 roof box are superb options for your needs. These cargo boxes will connect directly to both the Thule 430 Tracker II system base rack bars. The 686 Atlantis and 603 Ascent both offer excellent cargo volume and are ideal for transporting tent, camping gear, luggage etc. They are both a perfectly sized match for your vehicle as well. These cargo boxes come with locks included for securing your gear inside.
Tagged as:
cargo roof box,
Chrysler Pacifica
by rackdawg on September 29, 2009
Q: I am looking at installing a 2008 Lexus IS 250 roof rack for carrying snowboards. The 2008 Lexus IS250 roof top currently has no raingutters, side rails or faactory rack, just a smooth roof top. What car rack do you recommend that I can then attach a snowboard carrier to?
A: The complete Thule 400XT Aero roof rack system is engineered to fit your vehicle perfectly and is very quick to install. The Thule 400XT Aero system includes four 400XT Aero feet, four 2176 Fit Kit Clips (these Fit Kit Clips are specific to your 2008 Lexus IS 250) and two load bars (the 50″ load bars are the recommended length for your vehicle). You can then attach any Thule snowboard carriers to the 400XT Aero front and rear load bars.
Tagged as:
lexus,
ski snowboard carrier,
Thule Fit Kits
by rackdawg on September 22, 2009
2009 Nissan Versa Roof Rack for Hauling a Canoe
Q: I’m trying to figure out what components are needed for a 2009 Nissan Versa car rack for carrying a canoe. The 09 Nissa Versa doesn’t have any kind of rack on the car top right now, no side rails or anything. Do I need a roof rack on the cartop that I can then carry the canoe on? I want something very solid and sturdy that will prevent the canoe from shifting sideways or anything. I’ve used cheap canoe foam blocks and stuff and that is a total nightmare.
A: Yes, no matter what gear you plan to carry on your roof, you will need a multi-purpose roof rack base system. The Thule 400XT Aero roof rack base system is an excellent choice for your 2009 Nissan Versa. The Thule 400XT Aero system includes four Thule 400XT Aero Feet, a set of four Thule 2183 Fit Kit Clips (the 2183 Fit Kit Clips are specific to your 09 Nissan Versa) and two load bars. You will attach the canoe carrier directly to the 400XT Aero front and rear cross bars. The 50 inch crossbars are the recommended length for your Nissan Versa rooftop.
You can then attach the Thule 579XT canoe rack directly to the Thule 400XT Aero base rack cross bars. Includes a pair of heavy-duty securing straps. Also includes a pair of Thule 885 Quick-Draw tie-down straps to fully secure the front and rear of the canoe for very safe and worry free canoe transport.
Tagged as:
canoe rack,
Nissan Versa,
Thule 400XT,
Thule Fit Kits,
Thule Racks
by rackdawg on September 22, 2009
Q: I looking into a 2006 Fleetwood Utah pop up camper roof rack sytem. The Fleetwood popup camper already has tracks mounted to the roof top. What camper rack system do I need for this setup?
A: The Thule 430 Tracker II Complete Roof Rack Base System is designed to fit your 2006 Fleetwood Utah pop up camper tracks perfectly and is very quick to install (easy-to-follow instructions included). Use the set of four included TK1 Tracker Kits that connect to the tracks already mounted to the camper roof top. Each Thule 430 Tracker II Foot then snaps onto each TK Kit. You will also need to choose the 96 inch load bars for your camper. You can then attach any of Thule Rack roof mount gear carriers to the load bars.
Tagged as:
pop up camper rack,
Thule Racks
by rackdawg on September 21, 2009
Q: I’m interested in a 2005 Toyota Sienna trunk mount bike rack. I’ll be carrying either 2 or 3 bikes at a time. Any recommendations?
A: We highly recommend the Thule 962XT Speedway trunk mount bike rack for your 2005 Toyota Sienna. This trunk rack is engineered to fit your 2005 Toyota Sienna very nicely. Includes the industry’s highest stability standards, the cradles are the best for securely holding the bikes and ensuring there is no swinging into each other or the back of your car. The 962XT can carry 3 bikes while the 961XT holds 2 bikes.
Another superb option is the Saris Bones trunk bike rack. Excellent stability features and very easy to install. This is a very cool looking trunk rack too. Saris 801 Bones holds 3 bikes while the 805 Bones carries 2 bikes.
Finally, if you are interested in a trunk bike rack that offers an integrated locking system for your bikes and the rack itself, we suggest checking out the premium Yakima QuickBack 3 and QuickBack 2 bike trunk mount bike racks.
Tagged as:
Saris Racks,
Toyota Sienna,
trunk bike rack
by rackdawg on September 21, 2009
Q: I’m in the market for a cargo carrier to haul luggage, camping equipment and gear. I do need some kind of 2008 Ford Edge roof rack system first that I can then mount a roof box to correct? The cargo box style of luggage carrier is what I’m interested in.
A: The Thule 400XT Aero, Inno INSU and Yakima Q Tower multi-purpose base rack systems will all work great as 2008 Ford Edge roof racks. All attach directly to your vehicle’s smooth rooftop that currently has no factory rack, factory side rails, rain gutters etc. All of these options provide a sturdy base rack system capable of safely transporting all kinds of gear. You can then attach any Yakima, Thule or Inno cargo roof boxes to the base rack system crossbars.
All Thule Cargo Boxes
All Yakima Cargo Boxes
All Inno Cargo Boxes
Tagged as:
cargo roof box,
Ford Edge
by rackdawg on September 21, 2009
Q: I’ve been searching for compatible options for a 2009 Audi A4 roof rack (sedan model). I can’t find any car racks that work with this car. Am I out of luck?
A: The Yakima Q Tower multi-purpose base rack system is works superbly as a 2009 Audi a4 sedan car rack system. Attaches directly to your vehicle’s smooth rooftop that currently has no factory rack, factory side rails, rain gutters etc. Provides a sturdy base rack system capable of safely transporting all kinds of gear. You can attach any Yakima roof mount bike carriers to the base rack cross bars.
Tagged as:
Audi A4,
bike roof rack,
Yakima Q Towers,
Yakima Racks
by rackdawg on September 21, 2009
Q: I’m looking into getting a 2007 Honda Accord sedan car rack system. What are the best options for me?
A: The Thule 400XT Aero, Inno INSU and Yakima Q Tower multi-purpose base rack systems will all attach directly to your vehicle’s smooth rooftop that currently has no factory rack, factory side rails, rain gutters etc. All of these options provides a sturdy base rack system capable of safely transporting all kinds of gear. You can attach gear carriers to the base rack cross bars for transporting bikes, skis-snowboards, surfboards, canoe, kayaks, luggage and much more.
Thule 400XT Aero Roof Rack System
Inno INSU Roof Rack System
Yakima Q Towers Roof Rack System
Tagged as:
Honda Accord,
Inno INSU,
Thule 400XT,
Yakima Q Towers