Audi A4 1.8T Quattro Wagon – Curt Class 1 hitch – Yakima Double Down 4-Bike

At Rack Attack, we have many options for bike carriers. We offer multiple name brands such as Thule, Yakima and Prorack when it comes to bike racks. The Yakima Double Down comes in 3 sizes, 2-Bike, 4-Bike and the 5-Bike. We will be looking at the Yakima Double Down 4-Bike today. It comes with pleasure to say that this rack has a dimensional size of 3′ 8″ height / 1′ 2″ length /1′ 3″ depth, which means you can easily store this in a small sized closet or under a work bench in your garage.

Yakima Double Down 4-Bike hitch mounted bike carrier

The Yakima Double Down 4 comes out of the box compatible for 2″ and 1.25″ hitch receivers and with its Trigger-Finger release enables arms to fold down when not in use. One unique feature on this particular model is the ability to tilt away for rear of vehicle access, such as, station wagon trunks.

Yakima Double Down 4-Bike hitch mounted bike carrier

The Yakima Double Down has a durable powder coat finish with standard switchblade anti-sway cradles to eliminate bike to bike contact. This comes as a relief for avid bikers as they will not have to worry about damages to their cargo. A fun feature that this model of hitch mount bike carriers comes with, is a integrated beer opener, located on the end of the left bar, perfect for a celebration drink after a long day of biking.

Yakima Double Down 4-Bike hitch mounted bike carrier

A few things to take note about this particular car, hitch and rack combo would be the ability to detach the rack for safe storing, integrated  deadlock and the ability to move the licence plate to the rack to avoid any unwarranted tickets. Another thing to take note on installation, with this particular model of hitch and car combo it is unwise to try and stick a 5-Bike hitch rack onto it as the class 1 hitch mount is tested for up to a 2-Bike capacity. Also when installing it will require drilling and is recommended to be attempted only by someone with power tool experience to avoid any unwanted accidents and mistakes.

Yakima Double Down 4-Bike hitch mounted bike carrier

A few customer notes to jot down, when this particular customer came in to the store he was in search of a bike rack carrier. With a few options available to him he decided on the hitch mount for multipurpose usage. Another thing to take note of is that by adding a hitch to the car he has potentially increased its value being that it is now set up for hauling trailers.

Yakima Double Down 4-Bike hitch mounted bike carrier

Trailer Hitch Installs and Bike rack examples – BMW X5, Honda Fit, Acura MDX

At Rack Attack we install a large number of after market trailer hitches for either towing or installing a rear bike carrier. Almost every vehicle will have a hitch application, specifically designed to fit the frame rails or unibody design of the car. Most new vehicles have pre-drilled holes that can be used to mount the hitch, making drilling unnecessary. The biggest brands in the hitch industry are Hidden Hitch, Curt MFG, Valley Industries and Reese.

Trailer Hitches vary in size depending on the vehicle, usually a sedan, hatchback or wagon will more likely have a class 1 or 2 hitch (1 1/4″ square) whereas an SUV or truck will be able to accept a larger class 3 or 4 hitch (2″ square). have a look below at examples of both:

Honda Civic Class 1 Hidden Hitch

Acura MDX Class 3 Hitch

Well Equipped Audi A3 2008 – Thule 400 XTR, Flat Top 4, Sidearm 594

The owner of an Audi A3 approached us at Rack Attack wanting a solution for carrying their outdoor lifestyle along with them. After some consultation we determined that roof mounted ski and bike carriers would fit the bill nicely.

To start off with we chose the Thule 400 XTR rapid aero base rack system. This provides a strong foundation for accessories while keeping the factory appearance of the vehicle intact. The aerodynamics of the rapid aero bars in conjunction with a thule 872XT factory fairing mitigates  unwanted wind howl.

Audi A3 2008 Thule Ski and bike roof rack

Keeping things consistent the Thule side arm upright bike carrier was the rack of choice. The side arm is not only aesthetically a good match for the rapid aero base rack but is also Thule’s feature bike carrier. This lockable carrier provides a fast and easy way to carry just about any bike, regardless of wheel size or frame type.

Audi A3 Ski and bike Thule rack

To cater to the winter needs of our customer the Thule flat top 4 was the best fit. This carrier has a capacity to carry 4 pairs of ski’s or 2 snowboards. The Flat Top 4 also offers universal mounts and easy access with a glove friendly button.

The Thule 400XTR base rack system, Side Arm 594 and the Flat Top 4 make for a professionally finished look that keeps this A3 looking clean and consistent.

Increasing the Versatility of a 2007 BMW X5 with a Hitch and Roof Rack

A few days ago I received a call from customer who wanted to equip his X5 to carry almost everything imaginable – baby strollers, golf clubs, snowboards, and a few mountain bikes.

After going over his options we decided on a cargo box and a hitch mounted bike rack. After ordering in the hitch he came in and we got to work.
We set him up with a Yakima Swingdaddy so he could carry up to 4 bikes. This is a fantastic option considering all of the other cargo he wanted to carry – the Swingdaddy swings away from the vehicle for the ultimate in accessibility.

X5 with Thule Atlantis 1800 and Yakima Swingdaddy

For the cargo box we decided on a Thule Atlantis 1800 due to an ample 18 cubic feet of cargo space which can be accessed from either side of the vehicle thanks to its dual side opening feature. To attach the box we opted for a Yakima Roof Rack including Yakima LowRider towers that clamp to the factory railing to support 58″ Cross Bars, providing a foundation for the cargo box and many other accessories the customer may choose in the future.

After adding a Thule Atlantis 1800 and a Yakima Swingdaddy this X5 is ready for anything!

Saris Bones RS – Trunk Mount Bike Rack

A sweet combination of functionality and simplicity, the Saris Bones RS trunk mounted bike rack will safely carry up to three bicycles behind your vehicle. What makes this rack so innovative? The genius behind the product is in the design which has eliminated the need for straps. The Saris Bones RS features rubber coated ratcheting technology with anti-sway keeping your bikes safe and sound.

Saris Bones RS - Trunk Mount Bike Rack

The Bones RS fits a wide range of vehicles from sedans to mini-vans. The physical attachment hardware is a combination of rubber coated clips and steel belted bands. To keep your three bikes safe and sound, it also includes an integrated locking system at no extra cost. For a complete installation demonstration check out the video below, courtesy of our Rack Attack Portland location.

For specific vehicle fit information, please visit the Saris Website.

Thule 971 Helium – Hitch Mount 3 Bike Rack

Lighter than air? Not quite but pretty close. The ultra-light Thule 971 Helium is nearly half the weight of all traditional hitch mount bike carriers which means easy handling, installation, and removal. The Thule Helium brings a unique new look to the hitch line-up with aluminum construction, a new post design, and all new cradle arms.

Thule 971 Helium - Hitch Mount Bike Rack

Installation could not be easier; the Thule 971 Helium requires no tools at all. Insert the carrier in to your vehicle’s 1 1/4″ or 2″ receiver and tighten the lockable receiver knob. This also means that you will no longer be required to climb under your vehicle to remove this bike rack. The receiver lock knob is brand new technology that secures the rack to the vehicle, using the Thule SKS (Same Key System) locks meaning that you can match this up to any other lockable Thule accessories you might already own. The Thule 971 Helium accommodates both a 2″ and 1 1/4″ receiver by including a hitch adapter.

Thule 971 Helium - Folds Down

The Helium’s Hitch Switch lever tilts the carrier away from the vehicle, giving you full access to your trunk, hatch, or tailgate. This hanging hitch rack will carry up to three bikes at a time on its secure T3 Cradles that provide maximum bike stability and frame protection. Thule sweetened the deal even more by including Thule 955 No-Sway Cages which attach to a lower point of contact on your bicycle preventing bike-to-bike contact. Also included is an integrated locking cable that neatly tucks away in to one of the cradle arms.

Thule 971 Helium - Arms Fold Down

Note that in order to mount this particular carrier your vehicle must have either a 2″ or 1 1/4″ hitch receiver installed. To verify that this rack will fit your vehicle, use the Thule Rack Finder.

2007 Mini Cooper, Thule 400xt Rack & Yakima High Rollers

Thule 400xt

Today we had a customer come into the store with a 2007 Mini Cooper S.  he was looking for a couple bike racks so he could carry his bikes up to the local mountains to get some riding in.  He decided to go the Thule 400xt rack, because it had a greater weight restriction then the Yakima Q- Tower rack,  and being that he had to heavy down hill bikes.

Yakima High Rollers

Since the bikes that he was wanting to get up to the mountains were heavy downhill bikes, and he didn’t want to have to take the tires off to put the bikes on the racks, we recommended the Yakima High Rollers. The upgraded version of the Yakima King Cobra, the difference being the Quick release feature, and the look of the new wheel tray.

Mini Cooper S

2007 Honda Fit Rack

Yesterday I had a customer come to the store with a 2007 Honda Fit.  He was a carpenter who wanted to work out of his car rather than pay the bills for a gas guzzling truck as a second vehicle. He also enjoyed camping, biking and wanted kayaking to remain an option.

60" Yakima track on Honda Fit

I installed a 60″ track on the roof of the fit. This track runs the full length of the car giving the user optimum versatility. Yakima control towers, 48″ load bars, and landing pads were set up in the track as a base for a SkyBox 18 cargo box. This box gave the customer enough space for his work gear and recreation gear. The track also gave him the option to widen the distance between the bars and carry any length of kayak in the future.

Yakima Track and SkyBox on Honda Fit

To carry the family’s bikes, he decided to go with a trailer hitch. The hitch bike bike rack he chose was the new Thule Helium 3 bike carrier. The helium made sense as an investment  in a higher quality rack with lightweight aluminum construction. This lessened the overall load on the hitch as well as ensured the bike rack would last for a long time. The helium also comes with a cable lock for the bikes, another lock to the vehicle, and no sway cage cradles to secure the bikes. Taking these options into account on the price, the choice was easy.

Helium and Hitch on Honda Fit

The customer left with his Honda Fit fully racked and ready for work and play.

Helium SkyBox and Yakima track on Honda Fit

2007 Toyota Matrix, and whatta Rack System!

I helped a young family rack their 2007 Toyota Matrix for many long travels back and fourth to the interior of BC from Vancouver. Like many people who need rack, they were about to have a baby, had a large dog and needed more space. The couple was undecided on what cargo box they wanted  but settled on the new Boxter from Thule; an excellent high quality 18cu. foot box.

The box matched the color of the car perfectly latched to the Thule 400xt roof bars.

The couple already had a trailer hitch on the car, but needed a bike rack. They were interested in the new Thule helium. The Helium is the first of its kind as a super light weight aluminum bike rack. The helium is a great choice for  for anyone who values ease of use and long lasting design. The aluminum not only makes the rack extremely light weight, but also ensures rust will never be a problem.

The car looked great.

2008 Mini Cooper S with Yakima Roof Bike Rack

Today we had a new Mini Cooper S in the workshop to get a roof rack and bike carrier’s. The owner wanted something that would compliment the good looks and style of the mini. We decided to install a Yakima Q-Tower system that grabs hold of the factory rain gutter and therefore will be easy to remove when the customer doesn’t want the rack for a while. The Q-towers are a flexible fit that can mount to most 4 door cars, this makes it easy to move to your new car when it’s time.

2008 Mini Cooper S with Yakima bike rack

Once the rack was set up we then installed Yakima’s top of the line Highroller bike trays. This bike rack will hold any bike, even large downhill full suspension bikes. It’s very easy to load the bikes and the rack comes with a locking cable that you can match up the cores with the towers using Yakima’s SKS system.

2008 Mini Cooper S with Yakima Highroller's

The full system comes with Yakima’s lifetime warranty and rack attack can install it for you in about 1 hour.