OT: Yakima, Thule, or what?

MJG

Mickey said:

MJG said:

Go with whatever you can find on Craigslist and the like. I have a combination of Thule and Yak for about .30 on the dollar.

SO RIGHT! The topper retails at $400+ and I paid $75 from my parts mgr as he was putting in a garage sell. The GM bike rack was free as he got a high dollar super light one and tossed me this one  that is fine with me. Look around.

I priced a set up a few year back just for a large cargo box and crossbars and it was close to $800. I was brand agnostic. Spotted a large Thule cargo box, that opens from both sides, and a set of Yakima crossbars on Craigslist for $250. Dude took $220 and we were both happy. 

FearlessTheEggNoob

I use a 1UP hitch rack. In a word, its builtlikeatankfrom billetcncmadeinusaexpensivebadass. 

lousubcap

For your reading pleasure- when I saw the thread title I immediately thought Yakima, WA and Thule, Greenland.  Wondered about the connection but then, upon reading a couple of posts realized I have no outdoor/car carrier knowledge.

Same deal when I moved to Kentucky around 20 years ago-every time I read UK I thought United Kingdom.  Didn't take long for me to lose the long-game. 

Perhaps I will get one right soon...  

Legume

Ozzie_Isaac said:

YukonRon said:

Legume said:

Got it @YukonRon

I like that idea vs a full width box, I could see using one or the other, or both.

The rack or the hard box can easily accomodate all the ski gear. We put our childrrn's snow boards, our snow boards, and skis in the rack, plus boots helmets gloves, etc., in the rack, no issues. Get a good gear bag, and you are set.

 I like the top storage boxes.  The biggest issue I have is hoisting a body up there.  It is a major pain.      I have heard.

YukonRon

Ozzie_Isaac said:

YukonRon said:

Legume said:

Got it @YukonRon

I like that idea vs a full width box, I could see using one or the other, or both.

The rack or the hard box can easily accomodate all the ski gear. We put our childrrn's snow boards, our snow boards, and skis in the rack, plus boots helmets gloves, etc., in the rack, no issues. Get a good gear bag, and you are set.

 I like the top storage boxes.  The biggest issue I have is hoisting a body up there.  It is a major pain.      I have heard.

@Ozzie_Isaac

It was a royal PITA, the first couple of times. Once you figure out a system, the rest, while not easy, did not take as much time as the first 5 or 6.

You got this.

Ozzie_Isaac

@Legume and @YukonRon you guys are the best kind of friends.  Ones who will help you hide a body

xfire_ATX

I have a Yakima Space Cadet Hard Cargo box for the top, it covers basically all the roof of my Nissan Rogue.  The one I had previous I liked better as it "kept" the settings for the rails- this one I have to crank on/off each time.  Thanks to my in Laws for destroying the first one.

Sometimes I wish I had the longer skinnier version where I could also have a bike rack and cargo box.  I likely could with this but it would be tight.  I also wish I could just rent the sucker once a year that I use it vs taking up all the garage space.

As far as hitch mount- everyone I bike with has the 2/4 bike KUAT rack.  I've put my bike on theirs a few times and they are nice.  Not sure if they all have it but one guys had a bike stand built in so we could do repairs as needed.

fishlessman

i think once you get up to 4 bikes and a roof top, a small trailer is the way to go

Kent8621

We have a Thule one had it for probably 9 years and it still works just great, just got back from a trip to SC with it.  it does have the feature to release it so you can get it in the back lift gate.  highly recommend it.

Kayak

We have an older version of the Thule 956 bike carrier for 2" hitches. Solid as a rock, tilts down, holds four bikes. I would note that if you don't have 'normal' frames, you might need one of those accessory bars you put between the seat post and frame, to give you something to hang from. Doing it over, I'd go for one of the 'tray' styles that you rest a bike on, instead of hang it from. Then again, ours probably has more ground clearance...

Cornholio

I’d avoid the types of racks where the bikes are hung/suspended.  The bikes and their moving parts move around more and they can be tricky with different frame shapes.   

Someone mentioned 1UP hitch rack, I have to agree that they are the best and that will be the next brand I go with.  Haven’t researched adding up to 4 bikes but I know it wouldn’t be cheap.  

Legume

fishlessman said:

i think once you get up to 4 bikes and a roof top, a small trailer is the way to go

I agree, but I don’t expect to use both together that often, but want to ability to do so.  I just don’t like bikes on the roof for an SUV height roof, but also want a solution that handles camping equipment, skis, fishing rods, etc. Bike hitch will go into either SUV or truck.  Box will go on top of SUV for additional storage.  Most of the time, two bikes, but sometimes four.

Legume

Cornholio said:

I’d avoid the types of racks where the bikes are hung/suspended.  The bikes and their moving parts move around more and they can be tricky with different frame shapes.   

Someone mentioned 1UP hitch rack, I have to agree that they are the best and that will be the next brand I go with.  Haven’t researched adding up to 4 bikes but I know it wouldn’t be cheap.  

yes - I've had a couple of hitch racks before, through the frame kinds and they were a huge PITA with kids bikes and non-standard frame geometry. Kid-sized girl-framed mountain bikes were the worst.  I like the racks that the wheels are supported in, but not many 4-bike options and I agree about clearance, at least from pics.  Looking more.

DuckDogDr

I'm surprised this thread hasn't been pulled yet

Legume

Maybe the buffalo needs a bike rack.  Or they’re too busy freaking out about billboards.

Plutonium

I'm probably going 1-Up next too, haven't decided between the Super or Heavy Duty version 2". Likely start with the double and have the option to add up to 2 more.

RiverRatSkier

Another vote for 1 up.

https://www.1up-usa.com/product/2in-heavy-duty-double-bike-rack/

thetrim

The Yakima four timer can go with 2 or four bikes at a time. 

https://www.amazon.com/Yakima-FourTimer-Hitch-Bike-Rack/dp/B00U0F8WZA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1534815437&sr=8-1&keywords=yakima+fourtimer&dpID=417UZLBlkdL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

$460 right now on amazon

MaskedMarvel

Heya!

rei is starting their Labor Day sale 8/24. Racks are supposed to be 20% off...  FYI

check code “extra20” after the 24th that stacks on top of existing discounts at outlet, maybe other stores as well. Good luck!

blind99

YukonRon said:

I bought a YAK. I like being able to open both sides, and the locking system. Attaches easy to the roof racks, durable and a ton of room. 

I also went with a Yakima for the top of the minivan.  I mean SwaggerWagon.

being able to open from either side is really nice.  once the clamps are adjusted (which is easy) you never have to change them.  getting it up, and clamped into position, is easy for me (short) and wife (shorter).

Spaightlabs

Kuat make an absolutely bomb proof rack that has been often imitated, never duplicated.  Heavy D AF and makes the 1 up look like a bargain.

jrj3rd

Have both Yakima and Thule boxes.  really no difference between the two.  Would recommend you shop local Craigslist and buy whatever comes up that fits your needs.  Bought most recent Yakima box for may daughter to move across country for $90 rather then the $500 list.  Had been used twice.  Folks don't like to store them.

xfire_ATX

@legume sorry but I missed the window to get a Yakima Rocket Box for you for $100 earlier.

jrj3rd said:

Folks don't like to store them.

 I hate storing mine in the Garage takes a bunch of space and I probably only need it one or two more times before the kids are gone.

ibanda

I ditched my cheap Saris strap on rack that was scratching the paint on my trunk and bought a 1Up USA hitch rack this year. It was expensive but worth it. Just hauled my bike on a 1,600 mile road trip and the rack is sturdy. They make racks for 1 to 4 bikes.