Thule Cargo Boxes – 611 Boxter, Fits the 2010 Subaru Outback Wagon – and clears the Hatch!

Enough said about the 2010 Factory Crossbars (grumble, grumble) but the vehicle is great and even though the bars have some limitations, Thule and Yakima have a couple Great Luggage Box options that will fit and Clear The Hatch!

Thule 611 Boxter – 85″ Long X 35″ Wide X 16″ Tall

We’ve had many customers show up at our doorstep with their new 2010 Subaru Outback and their OLD luggage box (usually around 90″ long) that does not clear the hatch/spoiler. ie: customer below that had a old Packasport 90 they wanted to use – and could not.

Yahooooooooo!  Look at that hatch clear!  And the Thule Boxter Fits up to a 195cm Ski.  Now you can use your old classics instead of mounting them over the fireplace in the living room….

Pictured above on a 2010 Subaru Outback is the Yakima SkyBox Pro 16s – also a great fit, and available in 2 different finishes.

Yakima Skybox Pro 16s Silver -   81″ Long X 36″ Wide X 15″ Tall

Yakima SkyBox Pro 16s Titanium -  “                “                     “

For more expert fit tips on your vehicle give us a call 1-888-399-7225 or Email Us – Rack Attack Does This EVERYDAY ALL DAY LONG!  Thanks!

Thule 5401 SnowCat – Thule Ski and Snowboard Racks. Direct to Raised Factory Rails – Audi, Landrover, Saab, Subaru, MORE

Here’s some information on a great but often overlooked Ski and Snowboard Carrier the Thule SnowCat.

Thule 5401 SnowCat – Thule Ski and Snowboard Racks

If you vehicle has come from the Factory with some raised factory side rails (running front of the car to the rear of the car on the left and right side) then you are a prime candidate for the the Thule SnowCat 5401.  This carrier comes complete with everything you need out of the box to have a mounted locking carrier.

If you have priced the Thule SnowCat against a whole crossbar and Ski Specific Accessory from Thule and wondering why the SnowCat is a less expensive option,  here’s the lowdown – The Thule SnowCat is a wintersport accessory only, the feet (or towers), crossbars and ski rack are all designed together allowing you to spend less but it limits you to one sport.  If your more of a multi-sport connoisseur stick with the original modular crossbar options and the seperate seasonal sport accessories – you pay more up front for the benefits later.

The Subaru Forester pictured above could have used the Thule SnowCat but the customer opted out, knowing that in the summer time – the ski racks would come off and the bike racks and luggage box for golf clubs would go on the crossbars.

If you think the Thule SnowCat is just not enough room the next best option (and year round use) is a Luggage Box like the 2010 Subaru Outback pictured above with a Thule Boxter 611.  The Luggage Boxes do require crossbars (that run left to right over the vehicle).
For more expert tips or to talk to the folks that do this everyday, all day long. EMAIL US or Call 1-888-399-7225

Thule 91725 (91725B) Black Universal Flat Top 6 – Thule Ski and Snowboard Racks.

The Thule 91725 Universal Flat Top is Back In Black!   All the same great features of Thule’s 91725 Ski Carrier but without the brushed Aluminum Finish of the standard 97125 6 Pair, or 4 Board Carriers.    Thule honors their premium Rack Specialty Stores like Rack Attack with this limited edition sku.  Get em while we got em!

For more Expert Tips and Special Product Like the 91725B – Call us at 1-888-399-7225 or Email Us

Cars of the future…a rack installers opinion, part 2: The 5th Generation 2010 Toyota 4Runner

Sorry folks, I’m a little late on this one, as the brand new 4Runner is now technically a present day vehicle.   Anyhow, we still need to take a look at the truck to see what we are up against.

2010 Toyota 4Runner with factory racks

As with most truck redesigns these days, the new 4Runner has continued to get larger, more powerful, and more capable.  On the flip side, we have noticed that factory racks are going in the opposite direction…shorter, less adjustable, and with less capacity.  The good news, however, is that Thule, Yakima, and Rack Attack will surely come up with some good gear-carrying solutions.

Officially, Thule has announced that their 450 and 450R system are applicable fits on the ‘10 4Runner.  To span the wide truck, you’ll need a minimum of 58″ and 53″ bars, respectively.  And of course, we always recommend a 544 4-pack of locks to keep the racks from disappearing.

Now for speculation mode…while Yakima has not published a fit for this truck yet, it is very likely to be the Railgrab (of course, I’ll update the post when it becomes official).  The Railgrab is their standard tower for vehicles with raised side rails, and the ones on the 4Runner do not look too unusual.

My concern with either the Thule or Yakima fit on this truck is that the racks will be set quite far aft.  Looking at the picture above, it appears that the front crossbar will be near the midpoint of the rear door’s window…which ultimately is about at the midpoint of the entire roofline.  Placing the rear bar at its rearmost position might yield a 36″ bar spread.  This may be an issue for owners who wish to a) use a mid- or large-size cargo box or b) carry long loads like canoes, kayaks, lumber, or Christmas trees.  We continue to try and gain influence with the automakers to make their side rails go further forward (to increase factory rack versatility), but in the meantime if you do need a crossbar further forward, give us a call about installing a Yakima Landing Pad 7 or a Thule TK14 up over the front door.

Let’s shift gears and pretend that you bought a 2010 4Runner without a factory rack, like in the photo below.

2010 Toyota 4Runner without factory racks

This is the type of blank canvas that we love around here.  With a ‘naked roof’ 4Runner, you are about to rack out the truck with the absolute most versatile and easy to use system available–tracks.  We’ve installed tracks on just about every vehicle out there, and we are anxiously awaiting the first ‘10 4Runner owner to come on in and have us track it out.  Once it has been done, of course I will upload some pictures, but for the time being, below is a Toyota Highlander with 3 (three!) crossbars on Yakima tracks.

And of course, there is always the more basic option of fixed position bars, like the Yakima Landing Pad setup we have on the ‘07 4Runner in the next picture.

Of course, don’t hesitate to give us a call, whether you’ve already bought the new 4Runner, or you are still shopping!

-Scott

Rack Attack Portland

portland@rackattack.com

503.226.7300

Yakima Ski Rack History -Yakima FatCat 6 and Older! What’s What.

Here’s a little Yakima Ski Rack History for all you folks calling that are not quite sure what you have or what you should get.

This once over on all of Yakima Ski and Snowboard Racks should get you off to a good start.

Pictured above is one of the most popular carriers we sell – The Yakima FatCat 4 (3077) and Yakima FatCat 6 (3078).  When Yakima says this fit’s wide ski’s – they’re not lying – this thing was built for the wide ones, in addition to having a super sleek low profile finish and unique look.   FatCat’s have been made since 2007.  The FatCat 6 has approx 28″ of carrying space – compared to the Big Powderhound at approx 22″ usable.  And best of all like most of Yakima’s ski/boar racks it includes a ski lift for low clearance crossbars (prevents your bindings from rubbing on painted surfaces:)  The FatCat 4,6  was originally packaged without locks – part 3067, 3068)

YAKIMA FATCAT 6 with LOCKS 3078

Yakima PowderHound (3081) and Big PowderHound (3082).   They are one of the most user friendly carriers now – out of the box and ready to attach to most any bar – with locks and ski lift!  The Yakima Big PowderHound (3072) was identical except not packaged with locks.  This model made from 2006- current.

Yakima Big PowderHound with LOCKS!

The Yakima FreshSesh (3079) is almost identical in features to the Yakima Big PowderHound – except for the color scheme and the ability to CUSTOMIZE your little heart out with some included stickers, and be different, just like everybody else.  Or you can really defy the laws of tradition and leave it all white!   Not available in a 4 pr.  The old part 3069 was identical except did not include locks.  This model made 2006 – current.

YAKIMA FRESHSESH with LOCKS

Pictured above the Yakima ButtonDown Aero with Locks (3070).  An oldie but a goody that’s been around in some fashion since 1992.  Notice the small red buttons for our small monkey fingers back in the day.

Pictured above – Yakima’s Lift Ticket 4 (3062), and 6 (3063),  was Yakima’s high end carrier before the Fat Cat.  It was manufactured from 2002 – 2007.  Large buttons – easy to get into with gloves and secure hidden hardware.  It was packaged to fit round bars only (Yakima Mighty Mounts could be added to fit factory crossbars, and locks could be added to secure everything).

The Lift Ticket Hardware (#8830033) is commonly sought after – call us if you need it 503 226 7300

Pictured above the Yakima Big Powder Hound (3046) was originally released in 1999 until 2004.  This Yakima Big PowderHound was packaged to fit round bars only (Yakima Mighty Mounts could be added to fit factory crossbars, and locks could be added to secure everything).

Pictured above the Yakima Big PowderHound SE (3059) was an Anniversary Edition carrier they built 2004-2006.  Better button for easier use with gloves in cold conditions.  This Yakima Big PowderHound SE was packaged to fit round bars only (Yakima Mighty Mounts could be added to fit factory crossbars, and locks could be added to secure everything).

Pictured above is the Yakima Button Down 6 (3036) (and the BD4 3034).  This ButtonDown was packaged to fit round bars only (Yakima Mighty Mounts could be added to fit factory crossbars, and locks could be added to secure everything).  This carrier was made 1992-1999 and Yakima added the SKS (same key system) compatibility in 1993.   ps – if you have lost your old round headed keys for these, the current “N” series keys from Thule will work with your old Yakima ButtonDown carriers.   ie: Old round head (non SKS) Yakima key 026 = New Thule Replacement key N026  - THULE REPLACEMENT KEYS.

Yakima Ski Slopes (3032) pictured above.  Yep only skis and narrow ones at that!  This Ski Slope was packaged to fit round bars only (Yakima Mighty Mounts could be added to fit factory crossbars, and may or may not have been SKS lock compatible)

And of course pictured above the Yakima 3B or 3A Family Model.  Possibly the first Yakima Ski Carriers (after of course the Yakima branded Bunjee Cords….)  If your still using these we congratulate you, and hope your 1985 Honda Civic Coupe makes it to 475,000 miles this year!   Yakima manufactured these from the mid 80’s to approx 1991.

Hope this helps – if your missing hardware or keys for your old carriers see links below:

Yakima Vertical Mighty Mounts (specific to each vehicle) Work with most Yakima Carriers except FatCats.

Yakima Ski Lift #8860037 (works with most all Yakima models except Fat Cat) – call us 503 226 7300,  to order.  Lifts up one side of the carrier for binding clearance off the car.

Yakima Ski Hardware Bags

Yakima Replacement Universal Mount (sold seperately).  It can be adapted to most other Yakima Carriers with some mods – obviously not recommended but possible.  The FatCat Universal Mount sits lower than the one pictured above and is a different part #8860048 – call us to order 503 226 7300.

Yakima Replacement SKS Key

For more expert fit tips or to talk to our Rack Experts EMAIL US – or call 1 888 399 7225