Image of the 2012 Chariot CX 1 child carrier for use as a baby jogger-baby stroller, bike trailer, ski pulk and more when used with the Chariot CTS conversion kits.

Image of the 2012 Chariot CX 2 two-seat child carrier for use as a double baby jogger-double baby stroller, 2 child bike trailer, ski pulk and more when used with the Chariot CTS conversion kits.

Recently purchased by the Thule Group (parent company of Thule Racks), Chariot Carriers represent the pinnacle of premium, deluxe child, infant and baby transport solutions. Featuring the proprietary CTS (Child Transport System) conversion kits, each basic Chariot carrier (also called a chassis) can combine with any of the various CTS Conversion Kits to serve as a baby jogger, baby stroller, child bike trailer, ski pulk shuttle or hiking tow-behind trailer. The Chariot CX 1 child carrier and the Chariot CX 2 child carrier are the top-of-the-line models, delivering the utmost in luxurious comfort, efficiency and ease of use, as well as high-performance. The CX 1 and CX 2 models both work with all the Chariot Carriers CTS conversion kits – simply attach the CTS Strolling Kit for a single or double baby stroller; the CTS Jogging Kit for a single or double baby jogger; CTS Cycling Kit for a one or two child bike trailer; CTS Cross Country Ski Kit for a ski pulk to tow one or two children while nordic skiing or snowshoeing; CTS Hiking Kit for towing behind you the CX 1 or CX 2 while hiking with the family. Besides the conversion kits, many Chariot Carrier accessories are also available.

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

ORS Racks Direct has just announced the release of an all-new Super Sale Closeouts and Clearance area on the website. As a division of ORS Direct, it benefits from having access to a broad range of additional categories besides car racks, truck racks and gear carrier accessories. Also sold through its partner websites are other outdoor equipment, clothing and apparel such as cross country skis, backcountry-telemark skis, boots, bindings, poles, snowshoes, Chariot baby joggers-baby strollers, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags and much more. Now, after several months of engineering and development, the company is now able to feature a large inventory of discounted products across all partner website platforms. For further information please visit the pressreleases below…

http://www.prleap.com/pr/185034/

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/2/prweb9154994.htm

247pressrelease Super Sale at ORS Racks Direct

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: Can the Thule 480 Traverse 50″ bars be used on the Subaru and if so, what else is needed? Also, is the Malone universal cross bars set compatible with the 2011 Subaru?

A: We have several racks that will fit your vehicle but unfortunately the Thule 480 is not one of them. You can use the Thule 450 CrossRoads System , which will grab onto the Subaru raised rail. This will give you the best bar spread (up to 42”) and carry up to 165lbs. The 450 system also will fit just about any other raised rail on another vehicle. Or if you have a Forester without any rail/crossbar then you can use the Thule 460 Podium System , which mounts to the same place a Subaru rack would and this gives you 28” (it’s stuck there, will not move) but it does carry up to 165lbs.

The Malone System will work also work on your Forester, but it does not have the same range of fit for other makes and models of cars.

Q: Current Vehicle: 2001 VW Jetta (IV) – Future Vehicle: 2011 VW Golf (VI)

I am currently looking at getting Thule cross bars for my car (480R Foot Pack, RB47 Rapid Aero Bars, KIT 1051, 871XT Fairing 38”); however, I am also considering getting a new car in the next year or so. When I look up the parts that are recommended for the new car, I see that I would need a new fit kit (KIT 1323), aero bars (RB53), and possibly a new fairing (both the 871XT and the 872XT 44” are listed). My question is two fold: is it possible to install longer aero bars (putting the RB53’s on the 2001 Jetta) then recommended (I have seen many cars with longer square bars, but I am less familiar with how the aero bars are assembled), and do you know if the 44” fairing would fit on my current car?

A: Because of the way the Rapid Aero bars connect to the foot–via a channel located at the end of the bar–you cannot get a longer bar than what is listed as fitting your vehicle because the connection channels would be too far apart to settle into the tabs on the top of foot. As far as the fairing, you generally can go up or down a size without too much trouble. It just might look a little funny.

Q: Do I understand I need the foot pack and the square rails to attach one of your cargo carriers to my Infiniti EX35?  Can you also give me your best fit for my car – 3 moderate sized pieces of luggage.

A:  Does your Infiniti have factory raised side rails or a naked roof? And just to clarify, are you looking for a luggage box or a cargo basket?

Q:  I have the raised roof rails and I would like an aero luggage box.

A: The Thule Altantis 1600 ought to have enough room for three suitcases with a bit to spare. Dimensions: 74″(L) x 36″(W) x 16.3″(H). We have plenty of other shapes and sizes available.

And yes, you do need to get some kind of crossbars between those roof rails to  use a box. Take a look at the Thule 450R system – the new aerodynamic crossbar shape is quieter than square bars.

Q: I have the factory crossbars (packed away) but they are fixed at 19″ spacing, hence the interest in the Thule system.  I assume the Thule system will elevate the box to clear the factory spoiler.

A: You will get a few inches of elevation with the 450R. To be sure about spoiler clearance, you may need to do some measurements, but the mounting hardware on the boxes allows for some fore/aft adjustment to prevent hatch interference.

Q:  I currently drive a 2011 Honda Fit Sport.  On the 2007 Nissan Sentra, which I no longer own, I bought online a Fit Kit. I already have the bars, etc. I just needed a Kit to match with the bars, intended for 2011 Honda Fit. The following link, http://www.orsracksdirect.com/thule-racks-2180-fitkit-honda-fit-roof-rack.html, is what I found, thus I ordered them originally.

I am confused with the 2 Fit Kits you mentioned below, each having their respective systems. If the above link is no longer valid, suggest to update it accordingly to redirect to the appropriate model, system applicable to date.

Pardon me asking, why would there be 2 Fit Kits of different systems? What is the correct item for my 2011 Honda Fit Sport?

In closing, please ship out the vehicle specific rack systems with the fit guides developed by our vendors for approved an tested fits applicable for my 2011 Honda Fit Sport.

A: The link to the 2180 fit kit you found which stated it is for the Honda Fit is for the Honda Fit model years 2007–2008. Your Honda Fit, being a 2011, requires a different fit kit.

The reason there are two different fit kits is because Thule made two different rack systems for the Honda Fit. Please review the following links and let us know which is the system that matches what you had on your 2007 Nissan Sentra. The Thule 400XT Aero Foot Pack or the Thule 480 Traverse Foot Pack.

Once you have confirmed this then we can make sure you get the correct fit kit for the system you currently have that you want to now put on your Honda Fit.

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.