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Yakima Racks: Top, Hitch And Trunk
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Published: October 26, 2006
Yakima racks give rise to an option other than the trunks. They are great for transporting sports equipment of all kinds: canoes, bikes, snowboards and skis, water skis, kayaks, sailing equipment, and cargo. There are two different types of Yakima racks, hitch and top. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
A Yakima hitch rack allows a device to be connected to the trunk of the car enabling equipment to be carried in the rear of the vehicle. The device is normally swung outwards when carrying the gear, allowing for easy storage when not in use, and can carry up to four bikes at once. This type of Yakima rack is not especially great at carrying other sports equipment besides bikes, but is a great option for those who are serious towards biking. The Yakima 2413 bike rack is the easiest to use and was designed to be simple. It carries two bikes at a time and folds down for easy storage instead of swinging in or out and works with bikes of all shapes, sizes and frames.
Hitch racks are great for those who have limited parking space. For example, some garages will not allow room for a top Yakima rack. Unfortunately though, a hitch rack is not as balanced as a top rack and tends to sway back and forth from time to time. As well, it slightly pulls on the back of the car. Many hitch rack owners have backed up into trees and other things forgetting the hitch and bikes in back, damaging the gear and possibly the car.
A Yakima top rack carries equipment on top of the car or vehicle, allowing the trunk of the car to be used. The racks consist of three elements: towers, crossbars and mounts. Towers usually come in four and are placed at the edge of the top of the car at equal distance so crossbars can be placed on top. The towers can be considered the foundation of the whole Yakima rack. Crossbars are bars placed horizontally on top of the towers and under the mounts. They can be rounded or square and add needed support for the equipment. The mounts are the last element and can be general or specified for the type of gear that will be carried. If only one type of gear will usually be carried it is recommended the owner purchase the specific Yakima rack.
Any top Yakima rack owner will tell you that there are pros and cons associated with it. For example, the weight of the load is more evenly balanced when placed on top of the vehicle and it does not block any view when driving. On the other hand, oftentimes owners will forget they have equipment overhead and drive into trees or things that may damage the equipment and/or the car frame. Many stories can be recounted of someone driving into a low parking garage and destroying their bikes.
Yakima racks are in general inexpensive and can be installed at home with the proper guidelines. Each make and model may require different racks. Many owners choose to take off their Yakima racks when not in use to save on wear and tear.
Ors Rack Direct. 2006. 25 October 2006. www.orsrackdirect.com/yakima-hookup-hitch-bike-rac k.html.
Rack Attack. 2006. 25 October 2006. www.rackattack.com/hitch-bike-rack.asp.
Yakima. 2006. 25 October 2006. www.yakima.com/RackBasics.aspx.
A Yakima hitch rack allows a device to be connected to the trunk of the car enabling equipment to be carried in the rear of the vehicle. The device is normally swung outwards when carrying the gear, allowing for easy storage when not in use, and can carry up to four bikes at once. This type of Yakima rack is not especially great at carrying other sports equipment besides bikes, but is a great option for those who are serious towards biking. The Yakima 2413 bike rack is the easiest to use and was designed to be simple. It carries two bikes at a time and folds down for easy storage instead of swinging in or out and works with bikes of all shapes, sizes and frames.
Hitch racks are great for those who have limited parking space. For example, some garages will not allow room for a top Yakima rack. Unfortunately though, a hitch rack is not as balanced as a top rack and tends to sway back and forth from time to time. As well, it slightly pulls on the back of the car. Many hitch rack owners have backed up into trees and other things forgetting the hitch and bikes in back, damaging the gear and possibly the car.
A Yakima top rack carries equipment on top of the car or vehicle, allowing the trunk of the car to be used. The racks consist of three elements: towers, crossbars and mounts. Towers usually come in four and are placed at the edge of the top of the car at equal distance so crossbars can be placed on top. The towers can be considered the foundation of the whole Yakima rack. Crossbars are bars placed horizontally on top of the towers and under the mounts. They can be rounded or square and add needed support for the equipment. The mounts are the last element and can be general or specified for the type of gear that will be carried. If only one type of gear will usually be carried it is recommended the owner purchase the specific Yakima rack.
Any top Yakima rack owner will tell you that there are pros and cons associated with it. For example, the weight of the load is more evenly balanced when placed on top of the vehicle and it does not block any view when driving. On the other hand, oftentimes owners will forget they have equipment overhead and drive into trees or things that may damage the equipment and/or the car frame. Many stories can be recounted of someone driving into a low parking garage and destroying their bikes.
Yakima racks are in general inexpensive and can be installed at home with the proper guidelines. Each make and model may require different racks. Many owners choose to take off their Yakima racks when not in use to save on wear and tear.
Ors Rack Direct. 2006. 25 October 2006. www.orsrackdirect.com/yakima-hookup-hitch-bike-rac k.html.
Rack Attack. 2006. 25 October 2006. www.rackattack.com/hitch-bike-rack.asp.
Yakima. 2006. 25 October 2006. www.yakima.com/RackBasics.aspx.
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