2010 Mazda RX8 – Yakima Whispbar Rack installation with Ski racks.

2010 Mazda Rx-8 With Whispbar System

In late November, we had a customer with a 2010 Mazda RX-8 wanting to hit the slopes with their skis and boards in their sporty car.  They wanted the most Aerodynamic, sleek and quietest system out there.  After walking through the customer with their many options,  he decided on the Whispbar S2 Flush Kit with a custom installation.  The Flush mounting of the Whispbar roof rack makes it look OEM, and when the owner wants to remove it, there is 4 very small pads remaining on the roof.

After the Whispbar S2 system was installed by the Rack Attack Staff, we then installed the new Whispbar WB300 Ski Racks.  With the included flush-mounting kit, we secured it to the Whispbar crossbars using the T-channel and T-Bolts.

Whispbar WB300 on a RX-8

The complete system looked sleek to compliment the car and was ready to hit the slopes carrying skis and boards!  The customer was extremely pleased!

For further details on this system, or any other products we have and install contact one our Rack Attack expert technicians.

Fiat 500 Racks

At Rack Attack, we offer options for all sizes of vehicles. We have been seeing a lot of the newer Fiat 500’s and have some great rack options for them!

Fiat 500 with Thule 480s and Yakima Fat Cat

Thule makes a great roof rack system for the Fiat using the 480 tower, pictured above. This system, clips around the roof behind the doors allowing for ski or bike racks. The 480 towers use a basic steel bar, but are also available in an aerodynamic, aluminum Aeroblade using the 480R towers.

FatCat 6 with included lift kit for binding clearance

With Crossbars in place, any of the Thule or Yakima Ski Racks will work. This customer opted for the FatCat 6, which has a 6 ski or 4 snowboard capacity. It also comes with a lift kit, which allowed clearance for the bindings, keeping them off the sunroof.

Not to worry, if you don’t want a roof rack – we’ve got lots of hitch mounted options as well. The Fiat 500 takes a standard Class 1 hitch rated to carry 2-3 bikes.

Fiat 500 with the Thule Helium 3

Once we’ve installed the hitch you can add any 2, and some 3, bike hitch mounted racks from Thule or Yakima. Pictured is the Thule Helium, a premium 2 or 3 bike rack made of aluminum. This makes it light-weight and rust free. The Helium also comes with locks for the bikes and a lock to secure it to the hitch.

With any of the hitch mounted bike racks you can look at a Ski and Snowboard attachment from Yakima or Thule. Thule just released a new product for this winter the Thule Tram. This will fit to virtually any bike rack and is extremely easy to load!

I recommend visiting our store at 98 West 3rd Avenue in Vancouver or phoning us at 604-872-7225 with any questions. We keep most of these products on hand and can offer same day installs.

All New Thule Aero Blades

So here they are. The all new Aero Blades from Thule. These newly released load bars replace the original Thule Aero Bars.

At first glance it’s easy to see how the design has been improved. This bar has a much more streamlined “wing” shape to it which will significantly reduce unwanted wind noise.

What you may not notice are the additional features:

• WindDiffuser™ is a textured surface on the t-slot cover that disturbs the airflow better than a smooth surface, greatly reducing wind noise.
• BoxBeam™ – The sophisticated BoxBeam aluminum extrusion creates one of the strongest load bars in the market. Using a vertical load test, the AeroBlade can sustain over 800 lbf of force.
• SmartSlide™ – The new SmartSlide™ is a molded measurement system providing a quick, no-hassle, tapemeasure-free foot installation. SmartSlide™ also covers the underbar slot to improve aerodynamics and noise diffusion.
• SwingBlade™ – The new SwingBlade™ end cap pivots open to allow full access to the t-slot for easy accessory installs.

One of the best features however, is the fact that despite the radical difference between the Aeroblade and the Aero Bar, the Aeroblade will still use the existing Rapid Aero foot packs. So the 460R, 480R, 450R and even the now discontinued 430R and 400XTR. So if you have a Rapid Aero Bar set up already and would like to upgrade to the new Aeroblades, you can by simply purchasing the new bars and fitting them to your existing towers.

Although this particular system is a bit more expensive than the basic Thule steel load bar set-up, it is worth noting that over an average year of driving you would typically save the extra $100 or so in cost due to the fuel efficient nature of the Thule Aeroblades. With adding a fairing to the steel bar set-up typically bringing the cost up to around the same mark as the Aeroblade system, it’s easy to see why so many people are already making the choice to go with the Aeroblades.

And hey, why not? They look so much better too!

So come by Rack Attack Vancouver today and see for yourself.

Yakima Roof rack with Fat Cat Ski rack on a Mazda RX-8 2009

A few days ago we had a sweet looking Mazda RX-8 come in for a ski rack and it made sense to go with the Yakima Fat Cat as it’s the most aerodynamic rack on the market and looked great with the Mazda’s sleek lines. Yakima have the Q-Towers system rack that can be adapted to fit most 4 and 2 door cars. The clip system means you get a great fit and strong rack that looks good.

Mazda Rx-8 with Yakima Q-Towers rack

The Fat Cat 6 ski carrier is the best on the market today, carrying a full 6 pairs of powder skis if you need or 4 snowboards. It can be fitted to any Thule, Yakima or Factory cross bar rack and is fully locking. It has an Aerodynamic look but also has some technical features not found on other ski carriers, like a dual hinge to keep constant pressure on the skis for the full length of the rack. It comes in either a 4 or 6 pair version and also has the ability to lift up on one end for better binding clearance from the roof.

Yakima Fat Cat 6 on Mazda RX 8 2009

to finish it all off and add a great look, we put on the Yakima fairing to keep wind noise down and get better mileage. there are different sizes for different vehicles so make sure you use our fit look up on http://www.rackattack.com to get the right one.

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.

Thule K Summit Tire Chains – Getting A Grip On Winter

As winter approaches, vehicles are having their snow-tires installed for hopefully another epic winter in wonderland. Winter 08/09 Vancouver accumulated mass amounts of the white fluffy stuff also known as snow. Streets were waist deep, no plows in sight, and cars stuck left right and center. This brings me to the selected few that were able to enjoy a warm and controlled drive to work or an escape to the local resort to shred the rad. You may ask yourself, how can I be prepared for this winter? Well, there are two simple answers.
1) Have your vehicle installed with snow tires.
2) Keep your all season tires on and purchase some kick ass snow chains (Thule K-Summit) for the best control on the streets, highways, and roads.

Audi A3 with The Thule K-Summits

The Thule K-Summit snow chains are hands down the easiest and simplest to install to your tires. There is no need to be on your hands and knees freezing your little fingers off trying to put on chains. What the Thule K-Summits have that no other snow chains have; the ability to attach the chains to the front of the wheel and not the back. The Thule K-Summit simply attaches to the lug nut of the wheel-well and thats all there is too it. As you speed your way down the street, the Thule K-Summit will tighten around the wheel, so there is no need of further adjustments. The Thule K-Summit is the perfect way to attack this winter for ultimate control without freezing your ass off.

To see which K-Summits are right for you and your tires please visit:

www.rackattack.com

www.thuleracks.com/snowchains/default.asp

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!

Thule 611 Boxter – Roof Cargo Box

Welcome the newest member of the Thule cargo box category, the Thule 611 Boxter also known as the Thule Excellence outside of North America. The first thing you will react to is the unique design and the exclusive 2-tone colors. The appearance of the Thule 611 Boxter is bold and independent, while also completely keeping in with modern car design.

Thule 611 Boxter - Roof Cargo Box

The Thule 611 Boxter is a very roomy storage option, housing 18 cubic feet of storage space or up to 110 pounds of gear. The smooth dual-side opening and closing lid is one of the unique features that make the difference between Boxter and the rest. With the sturdy construction the handles and newly developed lid lifters, it will be a pleasant discovery when you open the box. The Boxter comes with a handy soft material lid cover that keeps the nice surface from getting scratches and dust when sitting in storage.

Thule 611 Boxter - Rear Door Access

The quickgrip mounting system helps in providing fast, easy, tool-free installation and removal. It also sits the box in a forward position on your roof, giving you roof to comfortably open a rear door or hatch. The Boxter is equipped with a patented safety locking system that prevents you from leaving your box not properly locked.

In order to mount this or any other Thule Cargo Box to your roof, your vehicle must have a roof rack installed either straight from the factory or an aftermarket purchase. To find out what is required to mount the Thule 611 Boxter to your vehicle, try the Thule Rack Finder.

Yakima FreshSesh – Roof Mount Ski and Snowboard Rack

A customizable rack is a great way to get your ski or snowboard carrier to represent your image. The Yakima FreshSesh ski and snowboard carrier comes with two sets of decals to allow you to do just that. The snow camo gives your rack the rough urban look, while the bubblegum allows girls to be girls. If plain is more your style, you can leave the decals off all together for a unique white finish carrier.

Yakima FreshSesh Urban Camo - Roof Mount Ski and Snowboard Carrier

The Yakima FreshSesh allows you to carry up to 6 pairs of skis, or 4 snowboards, or a combination of both. It comes with universal mounting hardware to attach to Yakima round crossbars, Thule square load bars, and most factory crossbars right out of the box. The Yakima FreshSesh features an integrated SkiLift to give you plenty of binding clearance while the soft rubber cradles keep your skis and boards scratch free. The arms come equipped with simple one-button access, meaning you can open it up even with mittens on.

Yakima FreshSesh Bubblegum - Roof Mount Ski and Snowboard Carrier

If you are looking for a little security, and peace of mind, adding 2 Yakima SKS Lock Cores allows you to lock the carrier to your vehicle, and lock your equipment inside the carrier. This is especially nice if you need to leave your vehicle un-attended.

If you want to check if this ski/snowboard carrier will fit your vehicle, or want to see what Yakima roof rack systems are available in order to mount this thing to your roof, use our Yakima Automated Rack Fit Guide.

Yakima ForkLift – Fork Mount Bike Roof Rack

Yakima has finally launched a bike carrier designed to attach directly to existing roof racks, as well as Thule and Yakima roof racks. The energies of the universe have collided and created the Yakima ForkLift, the first-ever direct to factory crossbar fork-mount bike carrier. The Yakima ForkLift is very easy to install and it will work with nearly every type of front fork including those with disc brakes.

Yakima ForkLift - Fork Mount Bike Roof Rack

A fork mount bike rack means that you remove your front tire in order to attach your front forks to the rack’s skewer. Although it requires a little more work, this generally means a firm connection with your bike that does not move a lot during transportation. The Yakima ForkLift comes with sleek automotive finish that looks extremely spiffy on your vehicle. The rear of the carrier features an easy-to-adjust sliding wheel tray that makes positioning the rear wheel a snap. Possibly the best feature of the Yakima ForkLift is the fact that is has a secure and lockable skewer with integrated adjustment knob for single-handed, easy access. This means that without a key you cannot remove the bike, better yet you cannot remove the rack. The Yakima SKS Lock Cylinder is sold separately, but comes highly recommended.

If you want to check if this bike carrier will fit your vehicle, or want to see what Yakima roof rack systems are available, use our Yakima Automated Rack Fit Guide.