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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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!