From the category archives:

Yakima Racks

Parts for broken Yakima Q Tower Part 8880048

by Rack Magic Woman on February 3, 2012

Picture of broken Yakima Q Tower, need replacement parts

Q: I am looking for the plastic base and the two side pieces for this Yakima Q tower. In the picture is the complete q tower with the incomplete base to the left side. Is it possible the base with side covers for this Q tower?

A:    That is an older model Q tower where the sides and base were removable. On the new version they are not. We do not have access to the sides and bases anymore. You could try contacting Yakima directly at 888 925 4621, or you can purchase a stripped Q tower here, http://parts.orsracksdirect.com/yakima  part number 8880048

Q: What is the difference between part number 8880048 an Yakima part # 8810143?

A:  The 8880048 is the stripped tower, without the cam cover or p-ball fastener (the screw). 8810143 is the complete tower. I figured since you were only looking for the plastic parts that the stripped tower would save you a few dollars

 

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Yakima Racks Cargo Roof Box Rebate Offer

by rackdawg on February 1, 2012

Yakima Racks cargo luggage roof boxes kickback rebate program puts money back in your pocket when you buy a Yakima roof box.

Yakima Racks cargo luggage roof boxes kickback rebate program puts money back in your pocket when you buy a Yakima roof box.

Yakima Racks Cargo Roof Box Rebate Program (complete details)

Just launched is the all-new Yakima Racks roof boxes kickback rebate program that saves anyone purchasing a Yakima cargo box a lot of money. Right now if you buy any Yakima SkyBox Pro 21, SkyBox Pro 18 or SkyBox 21 roof box models you qualify for a rebate that puts $125 back in your pocket. Likewise, if purchasing any Yakima LoPro, SkyBox Pro 16, SkyBox 18 or SkyBox 16 roof box models you’ll save $100 through the rebate program. And finally, you’ll qualify for $75 back if you buy any Yakima SkyBox Pro 12, SkyBox 12 or RocketBox Pro cargo boxes. Simply purchase a Yakima gear box, print out the official rebate form, attach a copy of your purchase receipt or online invoice and mail to Yakima Racks – that’s all there is to it! This Yakima Racks KickBacks offer is valid 2/1/2012 – 3/22/2012. Rebate request form must be postmarked by 4/6/2012. Also, Yakima is offering the option to submit a rebate request directly online.

view all Yakima roof boxes

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Hitch Rack for Carbon Road Bikes?

by Rack Magic Woman on January 23, 2012

Q: I’m looking for suggestions on what rack you would recommend as a hitch rack for carbon road bikes?

A:  My go to rack in this category is the Thule 916XTR T2, $395.95. Part of that is simply because I am and have always been a Thule gal. But I do also like the design and features of the T2. That being said, the Yakima HoldUp, $377.10, has many of the same features as the T2 including the ability to add a 2 bike add on to carry 4 bikes.

I am least familiar with the Saris 4239 Thelma 3, $332.99, and I am not all that impressed with the look of the plastic wheel trays. But I am sure it is still a great rack and it is the least expensive option.

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Whispbar Rack w/ Yakima HighRoller for 2003 Audi AllRoad?

by Rack Magic Woman on January 10, 2012

Q: I’m interested in purchasing the HighRoller bike rack and the whispbar rail system. I’ve heard that they are not compatible and the FrontLoader was suggested. I’m not interested in it. Are there any mounts available to solve that problem?

I’m also concerned about the size of the whispar for my car… I own a 2003 Audi Allroad and another website recommended a different size from the one specified in your Fit Guide.  Unfortunately I don’t know the exact size between the rails, but I’m going to check that prior to the order.

Could you provide me with links for all that’s required to make the rack? and locks for rack-bar and rack-bike?

A: First, I cannot find an authorized Whispbar fit for your 2003 Audi Allroad with factory raised side rails. You must be looking under a different Audi model than I am in the fit guide.

You can mount the HighRoller on the Whispbars and other wider bars, including factory installed crossbars, using the Yakima Universal Mighty Mounts.

While you can lock the bicycle to the HighRoller with the included cable lock and Yakima Locks SKS two-pack, sold separately, you will not be able to lock the HighRoller to the Whispbar rack.

The below text is from the HighRoller product page and does a good job of spelling out the differences between the HighRoller and FrontLoader.

Tim asks – What is the difference between the HighRoller and the FrontLoader?

ORS Crew answers – Great question. There really isn’t much that separates the considerably more expensive HighRoller and the cheaper priced FrontLoader except that the HighRoller has a rear strap that can be accessed from either side of the bike tray. Unlike the FrontLoader, which will mount directly to factory rack cross bars, the HighRoller will NOT connect directly to factory racks however, you would need to use a set of Yakima Universal MightyMounts clamps with the HighRoller to connect it to factory rack crossbars. Also, while you can use a Yakima SKS lock in the integrated locking cable on the HighRoller to lock the bicycle to the HighRoller, you can’t simply use another Yakima SKS lock core to lock the HighRoller itself to the roof rack. You would have to also purchase a Yakima Lock Housing Unit to insert a lock core into. The FrontLoader, however, offers the convenience of simply using a Yakima 2-pack of locks to lock the bicycle to the carrier, via the integrated cable lock, and also the FrontLoader itself to the roof rack by inserting a lock directly into the front end of the carrier. Basically, Yakima Racks first released the HighRoller, then a couple years later realized they needed to offer a similar bike rack that connects directly to factory racks and will also optionally lock to the vehicle. The FrontLoader also uses the same very sleek low-profile bike tray as found on the fork mount style Yakima ForkLift bike rack. So really, unless you feel strongly about the need for a two-sided rear wheel strap, you will want to choose the cheaper priced FrontLoader bike rack over the HighRoller. And you’ll be gaining better security features and the ability to attach the carrier directly to factory racks.

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Whispbar Permanent Mount Solution fro 2010 Scion XB?

by Rack Magic Woman on December 28, 2011

Q:  I have a 2010 scion xb with a Yakima permanent mount rack system. I would like to add the wisp-bar rails.  Does Yakima offer a whispbar system for Yakima tracks?  Also which MightyMount would be needed to work with the higher?

A: Yes, we can get you a Whispbar Rack system to mount to the Yakima tracks you have permanently mounted on your 2010 Scion xB. First we need to get a little more information from you regarding the tracks and the particular style Whispbars you would like.

First, what is the measurement from center to center of the spread between the tracks? This information is necessary to  make sure you get the correct length Whispbar cross bars.  You also need to choose which style Whispbar cross bars you would like. Here are your options:

Whispbar Flush Bar Roof Rack – This option is the cleanest look as the bar ends are enclosed in the feet.

Whispbar Through Bar Roof Rack – This option has the bars extending out past the feet by a few inches on either side. This option will give you a little more bar area to mount whatever it is you want to mount (ski, bike, kayak carriers, etc).

Whispbar HD Bar Roof Rack – This is a beefier bar that works the same as the Through Bars, but have the potential to carry more weight (up to 220 lbs vs. 150 lbs for the other bars), but this is dependent on the vehicle. Since your application is not an official fit, we cannot quote an increased capacity.

And lastly you would need the K450 fit kit. The fit kits are included in the above mentioned complete systems, but you would just need to request this particular fit kit for your application.

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All-in-one Rack for Surfboard, kayak and bike?

by Rack Magic Woman on November 11, 2011

Q: I’m wondering does anyone (either Thule or Yakima or whoever) sell a carrier that supports surfboard/kayak/bike all-in-one?   I’m going to be buying a new SUV soon and wanted to find out this info first and would rather just get it all-in-one.   If not, what’s the best product for just surfboard/kayak?

A: The INA-444 is a great carrier for kayaks, stand-up paddleboards or surfboards.  It works very well with plastic recreational boats, but probably isn’t the best choice for Kevlar or fiberglass touring kayaks. 

And with a base rack system by Thule, Yakima or Inno, you could simultaneously use both the surf/kayak carrier and any of a number of bike carriers offered on our site. With wide enough crossbars, it will likely be possible to carry two bikes alongside your watersports carrier.

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Drove Under Parking Garage With Rack – Need Parts!

by Rack Magic Woman on November 7, 2011

Q:  Someone in my family drove my car under a parking garage and messed my roof rack up.  I am trying to fix some of the parts. Can you please look at the attached photo and tell me what the tower is called, and if you sell the internal claw part that is bent up?  The housing, lock, and pin all seem OK, so if I can get the claw piece it should work.

rack-replacement-part

A: Unfortunately you cannot replace just the claw, so you would need to replace the entire tower. You can order them directly from our site. They are part number 8810149 and they are currently $44.00 a piece.

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Roof Rack for 2010 GMC Acadia with Factory Rails

by Rack Magic Woman on November 1, 2011

Q:  I’m looking for a roof rack for my 2010 GMC Acadia with factory side rails – the Yakima online fit guide has 2 fits – how do I know which one to choose?

A: You are right, the Yakima online fit guide shows a fit for 2007-2012 with Yakima RailGrab roof rack and 48” bars. It also has a fit for 2010-2012 with Yakima RailGrab and 58” bars.  There appears to be two different GMC Acadia side rail options starting in 2010. The main difference is that the rail bars that require  58” cross bars  is a slimmer bar with an open track on the top.  Have a look at the pictures below – you can compare to what you have and select the correct length crossbars for your 2010 GMC Acadia.

GMC Acadoa

Image of GMC Acadia factory rails - this one would use Yakima Rail Grab and 48" Bars

GMC Acada Factory Bars - Slimmer Bar with open track at the top - use Yakima Rail Grab and 58" Cross bars.

GMC Acadia Factory Bars - Slimmer Bar with open track at the top - use Yakima Rail Grab and 58" Cross bars.

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Can you attach Yakima Buttondown to TracONE rail?

by Rack Magic Woman on October 28, 2011

Q: Is there a mount that allows you to attach a 2011 Yakima Buttondown ski/snow board holder to a track one rail? I’ve seen several that attach to Thule, wanted to make sure there’s one that fits the Trac one rail and if there is which model it would be.

A: Yes, you could utilize the Yakima Universal Mighty Mounts to mount the Yakima ButtonDown to your TracONE rails.

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Installing Rack on 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited – Fiberglass Top

by Rack Magic Woman on October 20, 2011

Q: I’m looking to install a Yakima rack on a 4 door 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Here’s question 1. What is the maximum weight load that I can put on the racks? At the most I would be carrying two Kayaks and 2 mountain bikes at the same time. Question(s) 2. I get the impression from looking at your site info that there are two approaches to installing a Yakima rack. One uses a track which is mounted to the fiberglass top to which the towers are mounted on. The other seems to use landing pads which get mounted directly to the roof. Assuming this is true, it seems the track approach provides more flexibility since you can move the towers to adjust the distance between the bars. In comparison using the landing pads mean once you select the position, you cannot change it. Is this true? And lastly, without seeing more detail of the CapNut hardware, I’m not sure how this works (e.g., how big are the holes and how many do you have to drill?, how big are the bolts?, how are they tightened?). Can you provide a little more description? Once I drill holes in the fiberglass roof, I won’t be able to undrill them and want to be sure they will be secure relative to mechanical loading, be H20 proof, and if necessary, replaceable. Should I worry about cracking or splitting emanating from the holes?

A: Unfortunately this is a difficult vehicle to install a rack upon to provide a lot of weight capacity. And in fact, Yakima does not give any indication of weight limits to I cannot give you any maximum load level. Yakima has two suggested options, first is using the 1A Raingutter System but to only mount on the rear door gutter for 24’ of bar spread. Second, is to permanent mount with LP6 and a Control Tower System but even here they say to not mount on the removable t-top portion up front.

Here are the notes for the permanent install from Yakima:

Notes
405. Weight and load limits must be determined by the customer. Load limitations can vary depending on placement of Landing Pads and strength of material being attached to. Landing Pad 7 has a maximum weight rating up to 100lbs.
406. Do not install Landing Pads on the removable panel over the doors. Only install over the rear portion of the hardtop.
409. A factory installed luggage carrier will prohibit the installation of this application.
411. Landing Pads 6 and 7 are a permanent installation. Be sure to look at the CrossBar Spread Table to determine the correct distance between brackets for your loads.
412. A sunroof or moonroof will prohibit the installation of this application.
415. Fairing length may vary depending on location of Landing Pad installation. Measure the distance between your Yakima towers to determine an appropriate length.

There is a third viable options using tracks but please note Yakima provides no recommendations for use of a track, but we sell this option all day long for mounting into fiberglass truck caps. With tracks you need to drill 5 holes per track, they do provide silicon sealant and I’m not sure how to measure the hole but the bolt is about the thickness of a number 2 pencil, and maybe a inch and half long. I would overseal to prevent leakage, and to date have not heard of any roof cracking (one truck caps which they are used on a lot) or leakage or replacement issues, but since these are mechanical devices in a fiberglass roof then all are possibilites and none can be ruled out. I personally have drilled into my own truck cap back in 2004 with a Yakima track and have no issues but I would always worry somewhat about cracking or splitting emanating from the holes. I’ve inspected my cap every few years and see no signs of failure. Whether a Jeep top is of the same level of constructions I cannot answer.

Now Thule (a competing brand) offers a bit more leniency with weight ratings, in fact they say you can carry up to 165lbs, this is using their 300 Raingutter System with at least 58” bars.

So given your situation and what you want to carry, I say go Thule (at least you have their sanctioned fit) and avoid the drilling issues!

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Options for Surfboard Rack for 2006 Honda Accord Sedan

by Rack Magic Woman on October 17, 2011

Q: I have a 2006 Honda Accord 4 door sedan – what are the options for a surfboard rack that will work with my car?

A:  Here is some information on carrying surf boards on a 2006 Honda Accord 4 door sedan.

Base rack options:

Thule 480 Traverse Roof Rack System, this rack system includes the 480 foot pack, 1304 fit kit and 58” cross bars. This would be my first choice for the base rack. I have used them for years and always had good luck.

Yakima Q Towers Roof Rack System, this rack system includes the Q Tower foot packs, Q Clips (Q6 front, Q83 rear) and 48” cross bars. Yakima is the other major brand besides Thule. They are also a quality brand. They use round bars where Thule uses square bars.

Inno IN-SU Roof Rack System, this rack system includes the IN-SU foot packs, K294 fit clips and 50” cross bars. Inno is the most popular rack system in Asia and has been making inroads in the US market over the past years. Their fit & finish is slightly less dialed than Thule or Yakima. They use the exact same shape and size bars as Thule.

Surf Carriers(all require one of the above base racks and all will fit any of the above racks no matter the brand):

Thule 809 Double-Decker Surf Rack,  Lockable holds up to two boards.

Yakima WaveHog SUP / Surf Rack, Lockable, holds up to three boards.

Inno INA744 BoardLocker Board Rack,  Lockable, holds up to two boards.

As you can see there are lots of great choices for a 2006 Honda Accord surfboard rack – hope this helps!

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2012 Mazda 5 Roof Rack Cargo Box w/ Whispbar S16 Through Bar, K500 Fit Kit and Yakima Sky Box 18

by Rack Princess on October 12, 2011

Image of 2012 Mazda 5 roof rack with Whispbar Through Bar rack system & Yakima Sky Box 18 cargo box

Image of 2012 Mazda 5 roof rack with Whispbar Through Bar rack system & Yakima Sky Box 18 cargo box

This 2012 Mazda 5 roof rack system features the Whispbar Through Bar car rack complete system  which includes two S16 Through Bars, 4 SmartFoot Towers and K500 Fit Kit.  It is installed by mounting to the fixed rack attachment points on the 2012 Mazda 5 rooftop. The  8007181 Yakima Sky Box 18 cargo box attaches directly to the Whispbar base rack cross bars and the  back door of Mazda 5 can still open all the way without hitting the back of the SkyBox 18).

More 2012 Mazda 5 Whispbar Roof Rack info…

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Yakima Spare Parts – Replacement Parts Tool Released

by rackdawg on September 26, 2011

ORS Racks Direct just announced the addition to their website an all-new Yakima Racks spare parts-replacement parts look-up and ordering tool for all Yakima parts. With the inclusion of this comprehensive application, customers now have multiple ways to navigate, search and purchase the specific Yakima spare parts needed for any particular Yakima product. With a complete catalog of all Yakima replacement parts for both current products as well as discontinued models, this combines the largest inventory with the most convenient method of obtaining Yakima parts needed for any Yakima Racks product.

Check out the Yakima parts look-up & order tool

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Video of 2008 Volvo XC70 Roof Rack w/ Whispbar Through Bar & K328 Fit Kit

by rackdawg on September 26, 2011

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This is a really good explanatory video of how to assemble and install the Whispbar Through Bar roof rack system on vehicles with factory side rails (in this case it is the Whispbar S18 Through Bar SmartFoot & Crossbars components combined with the Whispbar K328 Fit Kit mounted to factory side rails for a 2008 Volvo XC70 roof rack system). The true value of this demonstration movie is how selecting the Through Bar system, instead of the Whispbar Rail Bar system, you gain the flexibility of choosing longer cross bars — very handy for gear and equipment transport configurations that require attaching many gear carriers, hauling very wide gear loads etc. While the Whispbar Racks Rail Bar car rack system for factory side rails delivers a very clean, factory integrated look due to the cross bars ending flush with the side rails, you are restricted in using that specific length of crossbars on the particular vehicle year/make/model they are mounted to. This could present problems if there isn’t enough space on the crossbars for all the roof mount gear carriers you want to attach or when transporting a couple wide kayaks, canoe and so forth. That’s when going with the Through Bars is the better choice.

view all Whispbar Through Bar roof rack videos

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Whispbar Rail Bar Roof Rack Video

by rackdawg on September 24, 2011

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view Whispbar Rail Bar videos page

The Whispbar Racks Rail Bar roof rack system is designed specifically for mounting to vehicles with factory side rails. It differs from the other Whispbar multi-purpose base rack systems, such as the Through Bar, HD Bar and Flush Bar roofrack systems, because it does not require the additional use of a Whispbar Fit Kit to mount to the vehicle. Instead it connects directly to the side rails (hence, it does not cost as much as the other systems either). This Whispbar Rail Bar video provides a solid, in-depth look at the system and even includes an installation of the Whispbar S53 Rail Bar roof rack model on a 2008 Volvo XC90 that has factory side rails. The whisper-quiet aerodynamic cross bars prevent any rack noise (a common problem with other car racks). Also, no other set up results in such a seamless, factory integrated look. Sleek, polished and stunning looking. The crossbars are also universally designed to accept any roof mount gear carriers, regardless of manufacturer. Locks are included. Whispbar is a premium product division of Yakima Racks.

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How To Select the Longest Whispbar Racks Crossbars

by rackdawg on September 24, 2011

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Being able to choose longer crossbars is very nice for when you plan to mount several gear carriers or transport very wide gear loads etc. With the Whispbar Racks Through Bar and HD Bar systems you have the option to select longer crossbars than what are the default recommendation (usually the shortest allowable length). The process for determining what crossbar length options you have available for your specific automobile is easy. Just open up the Whispbar Fit Kit installation instructions that you need for your specific auto, and refer to the installation measurements chart. You will want the ’1′ and ’2′ measurements for your vehicle under the ‘X’ heading — ’1′ is the measurement of the front cross bar and ’2′ is the measurement of the rear cross bar. Then refer to the Whispbar Racks Though Bar & HD Bar Chart that specifies the crossbar dimension ranges for each specific Through Bar and HD Bar models. If both the ’1′ and ’2′ measurements fall within the crossbar dimension range for a specific model then you can use that Through Bar or HD Bar model and length crossbars. You will see that you can most often select a model that has longer crossbars than the model that was the default recommendation in the Yakima-Whispbar Online Fit Guide tool.

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Whispbar Roof Racks Through Bar, Flush Bar, HD Bar Review Comparison & Video

by rackdawg on September 23, 2011

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view Whispbar Roof Rack Systems Comparison video

Just released is this excellent, in-depth comparison review and installation video by ORS Racks Direct, featuring the Whispbar Flush Bar roof rack system, Whispbar Through Bar roof rack system and Whispbar HD Bar roof rack system (the Whispbar Rail Bar option is featured in its own movie because it differs from these other systems due to its design that does not use the SmartFoot – Fit Kit technology). The video also provides a good step-by-step procedure for installing the Whispbar Flush Bar on a car with factory installed fixed rack attachment locations on the roof top (fixed-points). In this case the car is a Subaru Impreza. Also, for visual comparison, a single Whispbar Through Bar is attached to the roof in the front, while the single Flush Bar is on the back of the roof. This effectively allows the movie viewer to compare the looks of both systems on a cartop. Very helpful when trying to decide which product to go with. Also, at the end of the movie there is a great informational section detailing how to determine which length cross bars on the Through Bar and HD Bar systems will work on any specific vehicle model. Having the ability to choose longer cross bars than what are normally recommended is a great way to gain extra crossbar space when carrying lots of gear and equipment. Whispbar roof racks feature superior anti-noise generating technology, are ultra slim and low profile and stunning to set your eyes on.

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2008 Volvo XC90 Roof Rack Crossbars With Whispbar S53 Rail Bar

by Rack Princess on September 23, 2011

Image of Whispbar Roof Rack with S53 Rail Bar on 2008 Volvo XC90

Image of Whispbar Roof Rack with S53 Rail Bar Rack for 2008 Volvo XC90

This 2008 Volvo XC90 Roof Rack features the sleek design of the Whispbar S53 Rail Bar Roof Rack System. The roof rack mounts directly to the siderail bars of the XC90.  This Whispar Rack System comes with 4 rail bar smart feet, 2 cross bars and a 4-pack of Yakima locks ( Whispar is a division of Yakima racks).

Complete info on Whispar Roof Rack for 2008 Volo XC90…

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Canoe Carrying Solution for 2003 Land Cruiser?

by Rack Magic Woman on September 19, 2011

Q:  I have a 2003 Land Cruiser without rain gutters but with the factory roof racks (the not-very-strong and stable kind).  What is my canoe carrying solution?

A: You can install a new base rack, which for your vehicle would be a base rack that would mount to your factory side rails and provide stronger and wider crossbars. You have a few options to consider and here are two good ones:

Thule 450 Crossroad System

Yakima Railgrab Kit

With either of these base racks systems in place, you can then install a canoe carrier to the crossbars,which comes with straps and tie-downs and will keep the canoe from sliding side to side

Thule 579xt Canoe Carrier

Yakima Gunwale brackets

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How many locks do you really need to buy with new rack system?

by Rack Magic Woman on September 16, 2011

Q:  I noticed that when I added the SKS locks to my order, it had me choose a 2 pack, is this enough to lock the base rack to the car and enough for the bike tray also?

A:  Well there are a couple of thoughts to this.

My personal thinking is to buy more locks than you need at the moment if you think you might expand your rack system. For example I bought a Thule rack for my car with two bike racks. I also bought a cargo box later on. When I first bought the rack I bought a ten pack of locks. That way I could have everything keyed alike (four for the base rack, two for the bike racks and two for the cargo box). Plus have two left over in case I buy more bike racks or whatever.

Another school of thought, especially if you are on a budget is to only lock down one base rack foot on each side of the car (driver side front and passenger side rear for example). In theory this will still prevent anyone from stealing the base rack off your car. So you could get away with only buying a two pack. Of course you would also need another one for the bike rack, so you would need to buy a four pack.

We do also offer the individual lock cylinder cores which we can match to your existing locks so they can all be keyed alike. This way you can buy only what you want now and then add on later as the need arises.

Hope this helps and doesn’t make things more confusing.

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Whispbar Racks Featured Retailer Profile

by rackdawg on September 13, 2011

Image of the Whispbar Racks HD Bar roof rack system, one of the many Whispbar products available at ORS Racks Direct. Whispbar Racks recently featured this nationwide dealer with a Whispbar Featured Retailer Profile.
Image of the Whispbar Racks HD Bar roof rack system, one of the many Whispbar products available at ORS Racks Direct. Whispbar Racks recently featured this nationwide dealer with a Whispbar Featured Retailer Profile.

Whispbar Retailer Profile: ORS Racks Direct

In the digital “inter-scape” world of retail, the game is changing for the cargo management category! It’s no longer Pepsi vs. Coke in the same sense that it has been Yakima Racks vs. Thule Racks – Whispbar is here to set a different tone – essentially shaking things up; making it a different category. Whispbar is sleek, aero, and most of all quiet and consumers need to know that. Who is a retailer who is doing this very well? Enter, Catherine Ricklefs and David Ricklefs from ORS Racks Direct.

We recently had the opportunity to meet up with these two (husband and wife team) and find out what they are doing to make sure consumers hear the difference…no pun intended here…of Whispbar. I asked David and Catherine what it takes to step into the lead from a retailer’s perspective for getting a new product into the hands of the consumers it speaks to.

Dana (Whispbar Racks): David, we have been receiving a lot of buzz from your website blog and Twitter tweets through our social monitoring efforts and ORS has been LOUD!!! How are you keeping up? Running the business and keeping your employees happy – not to mention raising a newborn – congratulations by the way from us at Yakima, takes a serious time commitment. But seriously, how are you keeping the momentum rolling?

David Ricklefs (ORS): Dana, it’s simple really. It’s a tremendous amount of work on my behalf – really its manual labor – I am constantly monitoring the buzz that comes across all our social channels. I am really “listening” and responding as quickly as possible – that takes work and plenty of it.

Dana (Whispbar Racks): I can only imagine the time you spend on this, for we have a couple people at Yakima monitoring our social and its hard work. What drove you to attack the product introduction as you have through the social marketing aspect?

David Ricklefs (ORS): I knew what Whispbar was bringing to the table after you hosted your retailers in Portland back in April to unveil the product and the retail program to support it. I knew that I needed to be first in the digital game to capitalize on sales, so I took the “playbook” and ran with it. In your online partner line-up, ORS is really a small shop, but it has a big punch and I knew that I could capture a large audience if I could have a louder voice. I knew that by leveraging our website blog, Facebook and Twitter accounts I could not only communicate to our existing followers that we were bringing a new product – something that was game changing – no longer a Pepsi vs. Coke choice. Whispbar is more fuel efficient, quieter, and sleeker – sexier too! I needed to voice that and that’s exactly what I have been doing.

Dana (Whispbar Racks): That’s awesome David! Have you been receiving some positive upswing in demand for Whispbar in the past few months that it’s been in the market?

David Ricklefs (ORS): Yes, in fact, we have generated some tremendous interest in the products and are taking orders now. Our sales team is bought into the product and its benefits, so we are converting that “untapped” demand to sales through them.

Dana (Whispbar Racks): This is fantastic! We really appreciate your business and will find every opportunity we can to support you and the other online partners in the coming months and into 2012 – which will be a very exciting year for all!

visit the ORS Racks Direct selection of Whispbar Racks

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Replacement straps for Yakima trailer hitch bike rack

by Rack Magic Woman on September 12, 2011

Q: I want to buy some replacement 5-hole bike straps for my 4-bike Yakima trailer hitch bike rack. I bought some 6-hole Yakima chain straps but
the holes are too small. I’m not quite sure which ones I need to order.

A: The part you are looking for is called the world strap (because it has a little globe on the end of it) They are similar to the newer chain straps but the holes are bigger and there are less of them. They are sold in pairs and are the same price as the Yakima chain straps.

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Can I Reuse Q-Clips from another car for my Passat 850 Wagon?

by Rack Magic Woman on September 8, 2011

Q: I bought a set of q clips from a friend who had a vw passat, early to mid 2000′s I believe. Mocking it up on my car, there doesn’t appear to be any issues. I was close to bending the clips that he used and drilling a whole to fit hardware to fit my car, but thought I better do it the right way.

My 850 is a wagon. What is the difference? Could I make it work? What does the number 51 or 52 designate? I really want to avoid buying another clip.

A:  I applaud your gusto, but I would recommend buying the appropriate Q-Clips for your vehicle, which are the Q52s (the Q51s are for the 850 sedan). Using any other Q-Clip, especially after they’ve been drilled and bent, could result in a rack disaster.

Each set of Q-Clips are unique as they are designed and shaped specifically for a particular vehicle. Even if two look similar, it isn’t recommending using them for a vehicle they are not designed for.

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Would like to carry Alumacraft Canoe on Lexus RX300

by Rack Magic Woman on September 1, 2011

Q: I would like to carry an 80 lbs, 17 foot long, 42 inch wide Alumacraft canoe on the roof of my 2002 Lexus RX300. The RX300 has factory installed roof tracks and cross rails. Unfortunately, the canoe is as wide as the roof tracks are apart and the cross rails do not seem sturdy enough to carry 80 lbs at highway speeds.

Can you give me some advice on which of your products would be workable for me? I tried working through your equipment selection guides and it suggested foam blocks, but I’m not sure that is the best solution.

A: I looked at both the Yakima and Thule fit guides and here are your options:

Yakima Q-Tower system: This option uses Q-clips which fit under your doors to hold the Q towers down and offer a weight limit of 125 lbs.

Thule 430 Tracker II system: This option uses the Tracker Kit 4 which uses your factory tracks to attach the foot and offers a weight limit of 75 lbs.

With either option, you can select the bar length you need (I’d say the Yakima 48” crossbars or the Thule LB 50” crossbars would do) to carry your canoe. If you want to stick by the rules, you should go with the Q-Tower option. Otherwise, the 430 Tracker II is a cleaner interface.

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Volkswagen Eurovan with Pop Top Roof Tracks Rack System with Cargo Box

by Rack James on August 26, 2011

Killer example of roof rack excellence, this VW Eurovan roof track rack system and luggage carrier is using the Yakima Control Tower System with 2 sets of #1 Landing Pads mounted into a set of Yakima 60" roof tracks and the Thule 605 Ascent 1700 cargo box.

Killer example of roof rack excellence, this VW Eurovan roof track rack system and luggage carrier is using the Yakima Control Tower System with 2 sets of #1 Landing Pads mounted into a set of Yakima 60" roof tracks and the Thule 605 Ascent 1700 cargo box.

This is the kind of rack magic we love to see, especially under a bluebird sky. I wanted to praise the owners but I was worried that they may have been taking a snooze after a long day on the trails. This Volkswagen Eurovan permanent roof tracks rack system with cargo carrier is using  a set of Yakima 60″ roof tracks mounted to the pop top. The Yakima Control Tower system is installed into the tracks using two sets of #1 Landing Pads (LP1).  A Thule 605 Ascent 1700 cargo box is attached to the Yakima 66″ crossbars.

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Yakima Racks RocketBox Pro Roof Box Series

by rackdawg on August 17, 2011

Image of the 8007192 Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 roof box, the largest cargo capacity model with 14 cubic feet of gear space. Fits factory rack crossbars and all roof racks from Yakima, Whispbar, Thule, Inno etc.

Image of the 8007192 Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 roof box, the largest cargo capacity model with 14 cubic feet of gear space. Fits factory rack crossbars and all roof racks from Yakima, Whispbar, Thule, Inno etc.

Image of the 8007191 Yakima RocketBox Pro 12 cargo luggage box, the shortest and widest model. Compatible with any factory racks and all roof rack crossbars from Whispbar, Yakima, Inno, Thule etc.

Image of the 8007191 Yakima RocketBox Pro 12 cargo luggage box, the shortest and widest model. Compatible with any factory racks and all roof rack crossbars from Whispbar, Yakima, Inno, Thule etc.

Imge of the 8007193 Yakima RocketBox Pro 11 cargo carrier, the longest and narrowest model in the series and ideal for carrying skis and snowboards. Also takes up less crossbar space, allowing for other gear carrier attachments to be mounted next to it.

Image of the 8007193 Yakima RocketBox Pro 11 cargo carrier, the longest and narrowest model in the series and ideal for carrying skis and snowboards. Also takes up less crossbar space, allowing for other gear carrier attachments to be mounted next to it.

Yakima Racks has recently launched the latest generation of Yakima RocketBox cargo roof boxes, now called the Yakima RocketBox Pro gear box series. Already a household name and the most popular car roof rack mount luggage gear boxes ever, this latest version of the Yakima Racks Rocket Boxes delivers significant improvements and innovations while still retaining very affordable prices. Lighter than ever and now UPS shippable (a dramatic advancement in shipping costs and delivery speed compared to the normal tractor trailer freight method required of virtually all other cargo boxes), the RocketBox Pros now all feature dual side opening lids for convenient access from both sides of the vehicle. Over-size push button easy opening as well. Yakima locks and keys are also included for locking the roof box to the car and of course all gear and equipment inside the carrier. Three models are available – the 8007192 Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 roof box (with 14 cu/ft cargo capacity and dimensions of 74″L x 33″W x 16″H), the 8007191 Yakima RocketBox Pro 12 roof box (with 12 cu/ft cargo capacity and dimensions of 58″L x 36″W x 16″H) and the 8007193 Yakima RocketBox Pro 11 roof box (with 11 cu/ft cargo capacity and dimensions of 89″L x 24″W x 15″H). Each is ideally designed for specific applications and purposes. The Yakima RocketBox Pro 12 features a short length and wide width, perfect for cars with shorter roof lines or anyone looking for a cargo luggage carrier and does not to carry long items such as skis and snowboards. The Yakima RocketBox Pro 11, by contrast, has a long length and narrow width, suited perfectly for carrying long equipment like snowboards and skis. It also takes up less roof rack cargo space than most other cargo boxes so it is possible to mount other gear carriers next to it without running out of crossbar space. And finally the Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 is, you guessed it, the universal all-around option that simply does it all. It can carry all but the longest skis, yet it is short enough to work well on virtually all styles and sizes of automobiles and will allow the rear hatch door on most cars to open fully without contacting the cargo carrier. The roof boxes all include state-of-the-art mounting hardware for quick installation on virtually all factory racks as well as any roof racks from aftermarket car rack makers such as Yakima, Whispbar, Thule, Inno and more.

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Scion Xa Roof Rack System for 2 Kayaks

by Rack James on August 16, 2011

Nice image of a Scion Xa kayak rack system using the Yakima Q Tower base rack system with Q120 and Q7 Q-Clips. One kayak is being carried with the Yakima HullRaiser J-Style kayak rack and the other is using the combo of the Yakima Mako Saddles kayak saddles and the Yakima HullyRollers kayak rollers.

Nice image of a Scion Xa kayak rack system using the Yakima Q Tower base rack system with Q120 and Q7 Q-Clips. One kayak is being carried with the Yakima HullRaiser J-Style kayak rack and the other is using the combo of the Yakima Mako Saddles kayak saddles and the Yakima HullyRollers kayak rollers.

Here is a great example of how even a smaller car can carry the gear you need, even if it is two full size kayaks. This Scion Xa kayak rack system is using the Yakima Q Tower base rack system with the recommended 48″ crossbars and one set of Q120 Q Clips and one set of Q7 Q clips. One kayak is held in place with the Yakima HullRaiser kayak carrier which tilts it on its side in a J-style cradle. This allows for the other kayak to be carried flat using the Yakima Mako Saddle and Yakima HullyRoller kayak rollers combo.

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Ford Focus Roof Luggage Box–Rack King of the Road!!!

by Rack James on August 16, 2011

This Ford Focus rooftop cargo box could use a proper base rack system, such as the Thule 480 Traverse system with Fit Kit 1565 or the Yakima Q Tower base system with Q102 Q-Clips.

This Ford Focus rooftop cargo box could use a proper base rack system, such as the Thule 480 Traverse system with Fit Kit 1565 or the Yakima Q Tower base system with Q102 Q-Clips.

I had to get a shot of this Rack King cruising down the highway because no one would’ve believed me. I got the shot then I slowed down and let him get a few miles ahead, which I assumed would be a safe enough distance. With a set of foam canoe blocks, a pair of Yakima crossbars, and a pair heavy duty straps running through the interior of the car, this Ford Focus luggage box system is held together with a homemade base rack system and a prayer. If all goes well, it just might not fail at 65 mph. However, just to be safe and prevent a potential catastrophic rack disaster, I would strongly recommend investing in a proper base rack, such as the Thule 480 Traverse base rack with Fit Kit 1565 or the Yakima Q-Tower System with Q102 Q-Clips. As far as the luggage box mounted to this “base rack system” it is doing the job, but in case you’d like to view a wider range of options, there are a lot of rooftop cargo boxes available to choose from in various shapes and capacities.

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Yakima Roof Rack for 2011 Kia Sportage

by Rack Magic Woman on August 15, 2011

Q: I’m looking for a Yakima rack that will attach onto the flush side rails on my 2011 Kia Sportage.

A: The Yakima RailGrab Kit with 58” Bars will be perfect for your 2011 Kia Sportage – this system also uses the Yakima pin adapter component, which is no additional charge, but be sure to mention it so it is included in your order.

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Trying to find roof rack for 2005 Nissan Frontier Crew Cap

by Rack Magic Woman on August 8, 2011

Q:  I would like to know if you sale a roof rack for a 2005 Nissan Frontier Crew  Cap  (4 doors) SE. I am looking for a rack for this for sometime now. This model comes without any rack  from factory.

A: Unfortunately the ’05 Nissan Frontier is a hard vehicle to fit, in fact I checked all our top of car rack vendors and not a single one has an easy out of the box system for the Frontier.

But don’t give up hope, if your brave drill in a track (see Yakima 54″ track ) and to this track mount a tower system (see Yakima Control Tower System and you can indeed have a roof rack.  Click on the above links to learn more.

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