by Rack James on August 7, 2010
Lovely montage of photos starring a 2008 Ford F-150 Crew Cab kayak trailer using the Malone MPG461G Kayak Trailer package complete with two Malone AutoLoader kayak racks.
This 2008 Ford F-150 kayak trailer uses the Malone MPG461G Microsport trailer package which comes with two Malone AutoLoader kayak racks. This is a great way to transport kayaks as it makes loading and unloading as easy as can be, it leaves the roof and bed open for carrying more gear, and the kayaks always have a place for storage when not in use.
Install page and complete details for 2008 Ford F-150 Kayak Trailer.
by Rack James on July 14, 2010
This 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Bike and Canoe Rack easily transports one canoe and two bicycles using: for the roof, the Yakima Railgrab roof rail system which attaches to the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Track factory side rails, and the Yakima Gunwale Brackets Canoe Carrier. The Tonneau cover bike rack uses the Yakima Control Tower base rack with two pairs of the Yakima Landing Pad 6 and two Yakima High Roller Bike Racks.
This is how you do it folks. This is a 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac canoe roof rack and Tonneau cover bike rack using all Yakima racks. Mounted to the ’10 Ford Explorer factory side rails is the Yakima RailGrab rail rack system with Yakima 48″ round crossbars. Attached to the roundbars is the Yakima Gunwale Brackets canoe rack, which comes with the necessary straps and tie downs. On the 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Track Tonneau cover is the Yakima Control Tower base sytem attached to the tonno cover using two sets of the Yakima Landing Pad 6 Permanent Landing Pads for tonneau covers, camper shells, etc. Mounted to the yakima 48″ crossbars are two Yakima Highroller bike racks. If my math is correct, a Yakima SKS 8 Lock Pack would lock down the two Yakima base rack systems and the two Yakima bike racks, and all with one Yakima SKS key.
More photos and omplete installation details for 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Canoe Rack and Bike Rack.
by Rack Princess on July 2, 2010
2001 Ford Econoline Van canoe rack and luggage bag. Combination includes Inno IN-AD Raingutters roof rack , Inno BRA120 Flex Top 18 Cargo bag and Inno IN762 Canoe Pads.
If you want to carry a canoe on a 2001 Ford Econoline 250 Van roof top canoe rack and still have room for all your other gear this set up works well. It consists of the Inno IN-AD RainGutters Roof Rack with an extra pair if IN-AD Stays and an extra single Inno crossbar, the Inno BRA 120 Flex Top 18 Cargo Roof Bag and Inno IN762 Canoe pads. The Inno BRA 120 Flex Top 18 roof bag for a 2001 Ford Econoline van has 18 cubic feet of storage space and folds up when not in use.
Read more info on this setup of a roof top canoe rack for 2001 Ford Econoline Van…
by Rack Princess on June 23, 2010
by rackdawg on June 16, 2010
by Rack James on June 16, 2010
Customer install photo of a 2004 Ford Escape hitch bike rack for a 2" receiver hitch using the Yakima SwingDaddy 4 Bike hitch mounted swing away bike rack for 2" receiver hitches.
The Yakima Swing Daddy hitch mounted bike rack for 4 bikes looks great installed in the 2″ receiver hitch on this 2004 Ford Escape. As seen in the picture of this 2004 Ford Escape hitch bike rack, when you want easy access of the rear of the vehicle without needing to first remove all the bikes from the rack, a “swing away” rack is what you need. The Yakima SwingDaddy bike rack, which works only with 2″ receivers, can carry up to four bikes safely and securely. It comes with the Yakima Lock Down Security system which locks the rack to the receiver and locks the bikes to the rack.
complete details for the 2004 Ford Escape Rear Mounted Hitch Bike Rack
Tagged as:
bike hitch rack,
Ford Escape,
trailer hitch rack,
Yakima SwingDaddy
by Rack James on June 14, 2010
Swell picture of a 1993 Ford Explorer surfboard roof rack using the Yakima Control Tower Complete system (Yamika Control Towers, 2 sets of Yakima Landing Pads #1, Yakima 48" bars) and a set of Yakima surfboard pads.
Well this 1993 Ford Explorer surfboard roof rack is still looking good. It’s key to a long life? Clearly the Yakima Control Tower roof rack system on top, which uses two sets of Yakima LP1 Landing Pads to connect the Yakima Control Towers to the Ford Explorer factory tracks (replacing the weak, incompatible factory rack system). Wrapped around the Yakima 48″ crossbars is a set of Yakima surfboard pads and locking it all down is a set of the Yakima SKS 4 lock pack. I would be doing a disservice if I didn’t point out the absence of the Yakima Strap Thang surfboard carrier, so here I am, pointing it out. My guess is the little dog ran off before he could install it?
Complete install details for 1993 Ford Explorer Surfboard Rack.
Tagged as:
Ford Explorer,
surfboard pads,
surfboard rack,
Yakima Control Towers,
Yakima Landing Pads
by Rack James on May 24, 2010
by rackdawg on May 10, 2010

- Excellent photo of a 1999 Ford F-250 Super Duty Super Cab canoe truck rack system using the Yakima Q Towers Half Pack, Yakima Outdoorsman 300 pickup truckbed rack and Gunwale Brackets canoe carrier.
The perfect picture to illustrate how to transport a canoe or any long items such as kayaks, ladders, lumber and more on a pickup truck. This customer installation features a 1999 Ford F250 canoe truck rack that is configured using the Yakima Q Tower Half Pack mounted to the Ford F-250 Super Duty cab roof (Q Tower Half Pack includes a pair of Yakima Q58 clips, pair of Q Towers and a single crossbar), full-size model Yakima Outdoorsman 300 truck rack half set mounted to the Ford F-250 pickup truck bed rails (Outdoorsman 300 Half Set includes a pair of upright Towers and also using a single crossbar of the same length as used on the Q Tower Half Pack cab roof rack) and Yakima GunWale Brackets canoe rack mounted to the crossbars.
1999 Ford F-250 canoe truck rack install details
Tagged as:
canoe rack,
Ford F250,
Truck Racks,
Yakima Gunwale Brackets,
Yakima Outdoorsman 300,
Yakima Q Towers
by rackdawg on April 17, 2010
A fabulous customer install photo of a 2008 Ford F450 truck rack for bikes using the Thule Racks 916XT T2 mounted to the front hitch receiver on the Ford F-450.
A dynamite example of how to bring those bicycles along when hitting the road towing a camper. This 2008 Ford F450 front hitch bike rack is using the Thule 916XT T2 platform bike rack for 2 inch hitch receivers. You won’t find a better hitch bike rack than the Thule T2 916 XT bicycle carrier. It includes many premium features such as all locks for locking the T2 to the pickup truck and the bicycles to the rack, convenient low level height for easy loading and unloading of bikes, compatible with all styles and sizes of bicycles, folds up when not needed, and many more cool features.
2008 Ford F450 front hitch bike rack install details
Tagged as:
Ford F450,
Thule 916XT 917XT T2,
Truck Racks
by rackdawg on April 15, 2010
Image of the Thule T2 916XT T2 platform bike rack with Thule 918XT 2-Bike Add-On added onto it and used as a 2006 Ford Freestyle hitch bike rack for carrying 4 bikes.
For the ultimate setup for carrying 4 bicycles on a 2 inch trailer hitch mount bike rack, look no further than the photo above of a 2006 Ford Freestyle 4 bike hitch rack. It is configured using the ultra-popular, premium Thule 916XT T2 platform bike rack with the Thule 918XT T2 2-Bike Add-On connected to it. This system mounts to any 2 inch hitch, as depicted in the picture above of the 2006 Ford Freestyle bike rack mounted to the 2″ trailer hitch receiver. The T2 is a platform bike-tray style carrier, which means it sits conveniently at a low level for easy loading and unloading of he bikes. Just place each bike onto the bike tray and ratchet the clamp arm down onto the bike wheel and tighten the wheel straps. Compatible with all styles and sizes of bicycles. Also folds up out of the way when not in use. All locks also included.
2006 Ford Freestyle 4 Bike Rack for 2″ Trailer Hitch details
Tagged as:
Ford Freestyle,
Thule 916XT 917XT T2,
Thule 918XT T2
by rackdawg on March 16, 2010
Thule 430 Tracker II roof rack review by 'J. Cochran'. He is using the 430 Tracker system as a 2006 Ford F-250 tonneau cover rack.
Overall Rating: 4 Stars (out of 5)
Configuration: 2006 Ford F-250 tonneau cover rack for attaching bike racks
“I purchased the Thule 430 Tracker II rack kit to install over my truck bed tonneau cover. Install was a breeze! The perfect solution for transporting our (4) bikes when we tow our travel trailer. These load bars are heavy duty! Secure the tracker kits in position, snap on the tracker feet, secure load bars….ready for bike trays. Simple push button removal to store bars and feet when not in use. These are so easy to remove, lock cylinders are a must. The only inferior part of this system is the TKCAP covers. The tabs inside the covers are paper thin. One of mine broke the first time I put it on, and the other three have a very loose fit. If not for the TKCAP issue, this kit would be 5 stars.”
all Thule 430 Tracker II car rack reviews
Tagged as:
Ford F250,
tonneau covers
by rackdawg on March 15, 2010
by rackdawg on March 12, 2010
Customer install photo of a 2004 Ford F250 truck rack with 2 kayak racks attached. System includes the Thule 376 Pro truck rack, Thule 881 Top Deck kayak racks and Thule Xadapt3 kit.
Looking to work hard during the week at the construction site but want to still have some fun playing on the weekends? Check out the Thule 376 Pro Series truck rack system then. This sweet customer installation picture is a great example of how it’s done. The 2004 Ford F250 truck rack with kayaks racks configuration includes the Thule 376 work truck rack mounted to the Ford F250 crew cab pickup truckbed, and 2 sets of Thule 881 Top Deck kayak racks are mounted to the truck rack cross bars using 2 sets of Thule Xadapt3 Kits. This heavy-duty, industrial, commercial truck rack will still serve you well carrying construction equipment, ladders, lumber etc. Work hard and play hard with this set up!
2004 Ford F250 truck rack & kayak racks install details
Tagged as:
Ford F250,
Thule 376,
Thule 881 Top Deck,
Truck Racks
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: Hello, I am looking for a complete bike roof rack system for a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer. So far, it looks like no car rack companies have had any 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer roof rack systems as of yet. Can you recommend any? Thanks.
A: Good news, Inno Racks now has the Inno IN-SU roof rack system engineered to work as a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer car rack multi-purpose base rack system. The Inno IN-SU system includes four Inno IN-SU Stays, four Inno K336 Fit Hooks (these Fit Hooks are specific to your 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer) and two cross bars (please note the B127 50″ cross bars are the recommended length for your vehicle). You can then attach any Inno, Thule or Yakima gear carriers directly to the front and rear cross bars. This car rack also comes with locks included to lock the rack to the roof top.
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Q: I have the 2008 Ford Taurus X and it does have the side rails. I really want to use the Thule 867 Tahoe roof bag on the roof top. I love how this roof bag is waterproof and has a ton of room for all our luggage gear. But i’m confused whether it works directly on the Ford Taurus X roof rack side rails or if i have to install a base rack system with crossbars on the side rails first. The Thule 867 Tahoe luggage bag says it even mounts to cars with just side rails. But I used the Thule fit guide and it says I have to get a rood rack first? What do I need? I also want to lock the roof bag, what is the best option for a roof bag lock?
A: Roof bags will not work directly on your side rails. You will need to install a 2008 Ford Taurus X roof rack on the siderails first in order to get the crossbars that you can then attach the Thule 867 Tahoe roof bag to. We highly recommend the Thule 450 Crossroad car rack system for mounting to the side rails. THe 58 inch load bars are the length you will need for the 2008 Ford Taurus X roof top. An excellent option for roof bag locks is the SteelCore Lock Straps.
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Q: I am using the Yakima Control Tower roof rack system with the Yakima LP11 Landing Pads as a 2008 Mercedez S550 roof rack setup. I then have the Thule 897XT Hullavator kayak rack attached to the Control Tower crossbars. My question is what would I want to use for a wind fairing on this setup? Would the Yakima Wind Jammer work on the crossbars?
A: Both the Yakima 50″ extra-large fairing and the Yakima WindJammer will work on your 2008 Mercedes S550 roof rack Yakima crossbars.
by Rack James on September 23, 2009
by rackdawg on September 22, 2009
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
Mounting the Thule Storage Bike Rack to the Wall
Q: Can the Thule BSTK2 bike storage rack be mounted on the wall to get the bikes a little higher and out of the way? Does the base come apart I could wall mount?
A: Yes the base is removeable, so it is possible to custom install to the wall providing you have the skill to drill and mount etc. This is not something recommended by Thule Racks, of course, and would invalidate the warranty. Other easier options can be found using some of the Delta bike storage racks such as the Leonardo or Chagall models.
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Using Yakima Q Tower Roof Rack as a Ford Focus Car Rack System
Q: Can the Yakima Q Tower car racks cause rain to seep into around door? I am think of using this as a Ford Focus roof rack.
A: No chance of rain getting in. Car rack manufacturers invest much time and money engineering systems to prevent any possible water issues. The Q Towers roofrack is no exception. The Q clips provide a seemless fit so they don’t impact the car doors.
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Inno Car Rack Fairing on 2010 Subaru Forester X Factory Rack
Q: Thinking about an Inno fairing for my 2010 Subaru Forester X. I have the factory crossbars only, with a Yakima Powderhound ski rack on top and am getting CONSIDERABLE wind noise at 50+ mph. The sizing guide says to use a 32 inch, but it seems like the 39 inch would be more appropriate (as the “silver part” of the crossbar itself is 38.5 inches). Which size do you think is best, and will this Inno Fairing be compatible with what I have/solve my wind noise problem?
A: That sounds like a very tight fit, and this is probably why Inno Racks decided on the small size in this situation. But if the total measurement of the crossbar from the inside of each side rail is at least 39″ then this should fit. You can always trim the fairing edges if that what it takes to make a perfect fit. Fairings are designed to eliminate that rack noise that can randomly occur. You’ll be happy with how effective the fairing takes care of this issue.
http://www.orsracksdirect.com/inno-roof-rack-farings.html
Tagged as:
bike storage racks,
Ford Focus,
Inno Fairings,
Inno Racks,
Subaru Forester,
Yakima Q Towers,
Yakima Racks
by rackdawg on September 18, 2009
Customer installation featuring a 2007 Ford Focus roof rack and 2 kayak carriers. Uses the Yakima Q Towers, Q102 clips, 48 inch crossbars and 2 Yakima Bowdown j-cradle kayak racks.
Additional photo highlighting the 2007 FOrd Focus 5-door car rack and 2 kayak carrier setup.
This customer installation is an excellent example of how you can carry 2 kayaks on the roof top of even a small car such as the 2007 Ford Focus 5 door. This 2007 Ford Focus car rack system for carrying 2 kayaks consists of the Yakima Q Tower roof rack system mounted to the Ford Focus roof top (uses 2 pairs of Yakima Q102 clips, which are included) and 2 Yakima BowDown kayak rack j-ctadle style kayak carriers attached to the short 48 inch length cross bars (recommended for this vehicle).
Yakima Q Tower roof rack system
Yakima Bowdown kayak rack
2007 Ford Focus roof rack and kayak rack installation page