2012 Honda CR-V front view

You’ll probably want a bike rack, ski rack, cargo box, surf rack and canoe or kayak cradles eventually, but for now you may have to hold tight.  Thule and Yakima, the leaders in the automobile rack industry, will eventually create a ‘fit’ for the CR-V–but they sometimes take a few months to announce the fit after the vehicle goes on sale to the public.  For now, we’ll speculate.  The CRV has in the past had either a ‘naked’ (blank) roof, raised rails (first generation), or ‘fixed points’ (2nd and 3rd generation).  This CR-V has taken a departure–a more Euro-style ‘flush rail’, something we’ve seen on many European nameplates in recent history.  The flush rail is now showing up on Asian and domestic automobiles and offers a low-profile and clean look to the vehicle’s roof.

2012 Honda CR-V rear view

If you look closely, you will notice some small circles in the inboard face of the flush rails.  I believe these to be removable plugs that will reveal a ‘pin-hole’ in which a rack clip will fit.  We’ve seen this exact design in some Audi and Kia models recently. This type of rack system is great in that nothing touches the painted surface, and the crossbars are relatively easy to remove. The down side I can see is that the bars will be in a fixed position; they probably will have no adjustability. For some folks this may be OK, but if you are a hard-core rack user this may lead to some frustration. I am guessing by the placement of the rear hatch handle that this has a hatchback (remember generation 1 and 2 had rear doors that swung sideways). The fixed crossbar position may cause some cargo boxes, kayaks, or other long loads to interfere with the hatch.

Bottom line, this vehicle will be quite popular and we’ll have a solution for carrying any type of gear.  The likely fits will be the Thule Podium or Yakima Whispbar, both of which are excellent products made by the best in the business.  Eventually, we’ll have a Class III Curt trailer hitch as well so you could tow or carry a bike rack on the back.  Once we see the new 2012 Honda CR-V in our installation garages we’ll be sure to give you an update and post some pictures.

cash money

Rack Attack will take just about any racks on trade, including but not limited to Yakima, Thule, Prorack WhispBar Saris, Sportrack, Rocky Mounts, Inno, TracRac, Draftmaster, Softride and some OEM or dealer-style accessories. We offer buyback (with photo-ID, paid by check) at a slightly lower percentage if you don’t need to pick up anything else.  Damaged racks are sometimes acceptable at salvage value.

Used hitch racks

Rack Attack offers trade-in and buy-backs 7 days a week, just load up your car and come talk with one of our staff.  We can usually value your equipment for trade-in or buy-back in 15 minutes or less.

Of course this all means we have the largest selection of used bike racks, used ski racks, used crossbar systems, used canoe & kayak racks, used cargo boxes & baskets and used small parts in the region!  And all of our used equipment can be found at the lowest prices in Portland. We’ve been collecting and salvaging pieces and parts off racks that date back to the 1970′s and if we can’t come up with an exact match we’ve probably developed and alternative solution!

Yes, it may look messy, but there is where the value lives!  Rack Attack lubricates, refurbishes and completes (if missing pieces) the racks we bring in before we resell them, and we guarantee the racks are functional and complete!

Used rack department

If you have any questions about our used/trade-in program, don’t hesitate to call us locally at 503.226.7300 or toll free 1.888.399.RACK.  Check back frequently, as our used inventory rotates daily!

-Scott

It has been a long time coming, but late last week we performed our first factory rack removal on the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Whispbar on tracks

Special thanks to Steve from upstate Washington for making the trek down to Rack Attack Portland.  He intends on using the roof rack for carrying a canoe, and wasn’t quite satisfied with the OEM rails and the Mopar accessory bars, which have a crossbar spread of only about 30″.  Our custom track system should yield a maximum spread closer to 48″.

From the topsides...Grand Cherokee Whispbars

Disclaimer–this was one of the more challenging custom installations we’ve developed in recent history.  When Jeep designed and engineered the roof, they sure didn’t intend for us to pull the factory rails off!  There are many extra steps involved with this system setup, so if you plan on doing it yourself please give us a call for tips & tricks.

Parts used in this installation include:

Thule TP54 tracks (cut to 52.25″)

ProRack Whispbar S5

ProRack fitting kit K327

Alternately, you could of course go with a Thule or Yakima setup, check out some of our other ‘tracks’ blogs to see the parts.

rear view Whispbar on 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The best part?  Steve reports the rack was virtually silent (with the sunroof closed) on his drive back north, and with a little bar-position tweaking, any remnant sound has been eliminated!

While not necessarily the best setup for everyone out there, the factory rack removal and custom Rack Attack Whispbar & track system gives the new Jeep a sleek and lo-profile look, while adding functionality to the rig by offering a stronger and more versatile rack platform.  Give us a call anytime to discuss this option for your Jeep, or any other vehicle you are thinking about racking out.

-Scott

503.226.7300

A non-intrusive Hitch for a Compact Car

This Curt Trailer Hitch 11051 is tucked out of the way, and finishes just inside the bumber.

Just under the bumber!

The hitch has an 1-1/4″ receiver, a tow rating of 2,000 lbs and a tongue capacity of 200 lbs.

This 1-1/4" Hitch is ready to carry bikes!

Summary: The best way to carry bikes, without greatly altering the aerodynamics of your car, is with a hitch mount bike rack.  Rack Attack sells a great trailer hitch, which  can be installed by our professional staff.

Pro’s:   Save your back from lifting bikes on top of the vehicle, minimize wind resistance by putting the bikes behind the car, save your bikes from clashing with garage doors or low hanging tree limbs.

Con’s: Two step process in which you will first need a hitch, then a hitch mount bike rack. Some hitch mount bike racks can be heavy (Thule’s Helium is really lightweight!).

Call today for more informational about getting a hitch on your vehicle. 503.226.7300

Mini Countryman AeroBlades

Countryman looking sharp

Update 4/18/11: Thule has announced a 460/R Podium system for the Countryman, using Fit Kit 4020 to grip the flush rails.  These showing up at our stores this week; you can order online here or give us a call at 888.399.7225.  I’ll put up some pictures once we complete our first installation!

The first MINI Cooper Countryman just passed by my office window and got my gears turning…what will MINI do for roof racks this time?

2011 Mini Cooper Countryman...roof rails looking smooth

We all know that the MINI designers have a knack for unusual cars and interesting rack solutions. For instance, the Clubman first came with nothing but the body ridges down the sides, then they added a raised side rail after the car had been out for some time.

Looks like they’ve changed things up again on the Countryman. All cars will come standard with what we call a “flush rail”. If you don’t know what I mean, check out the picture below, or keep your eyes peeled for a late model Audi or BMW wagon or SUV…you can’t get your hand ‘around’ a flush rail. Usually for flush rails the solution from our vendors include the Thule Podium system or the Yakima Railgrab…we’ll have to wait and see what they announce, hopefully sometime early in 2011.  Hopefully we’ll also be getting a Whispbar system option.

Countryman rail view

Another strange feature on this car is what MINI’s website refers to as “rear-mounted bike rack prep”.  What this is I can’t figure out…is it a pre-installed hitch?  Is it a propriatary bike rack base?  I’ll let you know soon…our local MINI dealer here in Portland is still a couple weeks out on getting the cars (I’m told the East Coast has them already).  Hopefully the engineers didn’t mess this one up…any time a car manufacturer does something unique like this it could be awesome or a huge mistake.

Stay tuned, I’ll update the post when we see a Countryman in our shop.

-Scott

UPDATE 1/15/11:  Yet another option for the Juke has been developed by the pro’s at Rack Attack!  Check out this 2011 Nissan Juke with the ProRack Whispbar system…

Juke Whispbar

This setup utilized the Whispbar S3 along with Fitting Kit 323.  Note that this is a custom and permanant option!  Take a look below at the very low profile mounting blocks.  These are the only parts that are permanently affixed to the vehicle.

Whispbar mount block

Finally, we added the Yakima Fat Cat 6 ski/snowboard rack.  Note that the rack is ‘jacked up’ on one side…this is so snowboard bindings on the upside-down boards don’t hit the roof.  It is not always necessary to lift the rack like this, but the customer wanted to start this way just to be safe.  Flattening out the rack is simply adjusting two screws on each carrier.

Whispbar with Fat Cat 6

It has finally arrived! For those of you who have been waiting for the the Nissan Juke to come stateside, it is here and we had the opportunity to rack it. The customer needed a rack system to get his snowboards to the mountain and we had solutions.

2011 Nissan Juke Ready for the Slopes

Either a simple-to-install clip fit with Thule’s 480 towers (for a more stylish option upgrade to Thule’s Aero bars), 50″ Load Bars, Fit Kit 1619 and a 4-pack of locks or if you are lucky enough to live close to one of our retail stores we can custom install a rack system.  UPDATE 1/27/11:  Yakima now has a Q tower fit.  Several trunk rack options exists now as well.  And Curt has a class I 1.25″ hitch!  Give us a call or check out our online fit guides at www.rackattack.com for more information.

It's loaded up and has one destination: Mountain!

Our customer opted for the custom installation, making removal and installation of the rack a snap! Add Yakima’s Fat Cat 4 or 6 ski and snowboard carrier, your friends, one weekend, a mountain and you have a recipe everybody wants!!

Close up view of the rack

Summary: This turbo all wheel drive crossover is the perfect vehicle to get you to the slopes and we have a couple of great options for racks.

Pro’s: The custom install gives you easy install and removal of the base rack system.

Con’s: Notice the roof sloping up? You have to take this into consideration for longer boats and cargo boxes that typically work best with larger bar spreads.

Call today and talk to one of our rack specialists to get your Juke a great rack system! 503-226-7300

VW Golf ready for kayaks

For this setup, we used the Thule 480R Rapid Traverse foot pack, RB47 Rapid Aero crossbars, Fit Kit 1050, and a 4-pack of locks.  On top of the bars, you’ll see two sets of Thule’s 883 Glide and Set.  These kayak saddles include all the tie-downs you’ll ever need–two bow/stern straps and two 15′ webbing straps included in each kit.  Remember to use your bow straps, safety first!

3-door Golf looking fast and ready for the water

The installation is simple–VW has ‘fixed points’ hidden under the rubber trim over the front doors, and the rear clips hook to the gap between the body and window.  Thule has made the 480 series racks stronger and easier to assemble than ever before!

Thule 480R up close

Remember you can give us a call any time, 503.226.7300, or toll-free 1.888.399.7225.

Audi Q5 receiver hitch

Rack Attack sources receiver hitches from Curt Manufacturing, one of the industry leaders in the trailer hitch world.  Curt hitches have an automotive grade gloss-black powdercoating, and come complete with mounting hardware and detailed instructions so any backyard mechanic can install the part in a weekend or less.  Just make sure you have a warm, dry garage, some ramps or jacks, a decent mechanic’s tool set, and a 6-pack of whatever beverage you enjoy most.

The Q5 hitch is actually a very challenging installation, taking our professional team several hours to complete.  We advise that you read through the directions found on our website before attempting installation. Good news!–the Q5 hitch looks great!  The hitch is nicely tucked up under the rear fascia, and because it is ‘behind’ the bumper, you won’t bang your shins against it.

Audi Q5 2" hitch extreme close-up

We also offer Curt wiring kits for most vehicles. Availability and the correct part numbers can be found when using our hitch finder here.   One more tidbit of truth regarding hitches:  EVERY VEHICLE IS DIFFERENT.  If you are considering a hitch for your vehicle and are concerned about aesthetics, start looking around!  You aren’t the first to hitch your car, so with some careful observation, you are sure to see your exact model rolling around with a hitch some day soon.

Rearview Audi Q5 tow hitch

Don’t forget you can contact us anytime for questions or advice when it comes to vehicle hitches and hitch racks–888.399.7225 or in Portland at 503.226.7300.

DISCLAIMER:  hitch and wiring installations can be extremely tough, and Rack Attack recommends professional installation!

The aggressive Mercedes Benz E550 ready to pounce

The Whispbar setup for this car looks sharp.  The clean lines of the aluminum crossbars compliment the vehicle nicely, and the ‘flush mount’ bar system terminates before the edge of the roof – no ungainly overhang to bump your head into.

And the best part about Whispbar?  Even on a modern luxury vehicle like this Benz the racks maintain a whisper-quiet presence.  At issue is the fact that automakers make their cars quieter every year – the race is on to show who’s car generates the fewest decibels.  One of the biggest complaints about roof racks is that they create noise, especially at highway speeds and/or with the sunroof open.

Thankfully, the engineers in New Zealand at ProRack have wind tunnel tested their product after benchmarking brand-T and brand-Y…see for yourself here.

The caveat to the quiet?  Adding accessories and gear, such as the Thule 594xt Sidearm and a bike, will likely eliminate the benefits of the Whispbar.  There just isn’t anything you can do about the noise made by the bike and bike rack…I call that fact “life with a rack”.  But luckily, the Sidearms (after initial setup) are relatively easy on/off with standard Thule mounting hardware (hidden under the locking cover).

E-Class with Thule Sidearm XT

The Whispbar components used in this application include the S26 bars and Fitting Kit 437.  Alternately, if you need some extra space, go for the S16 bars which will ‘pass-thru’ the tower by a couple of inches on each side.  Have no fear about your paint or door seals, as this application utilizes the fixed points built into the roof of this Mercedes – also common on other German makes as well as some Japanese cars.

Mercedes E550 ready to burn rubber...with 2 bikes

As usual, if you have any questions about this or any other application, don’t hesitate to comment on our blog or give us a phone call–503.226.7300.  Or check out the other North American Rack Attack stores here.

-Scott

M-B E550 silhouette

Cut to the chase…take a look at our recently completed 2011 Grand Cherokee factory rack removal here.

Update 1/6/11:  We had our first encounter today with the Mopar bars.  A gentleman came in with them for us to install, and he also wanted a cargo box.  Knowing we’d probably have to stick with short, the Yakima Skybox Pro 16 was our first choice.  By the way, the box comes in a sleek new Onyx gloss finish.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee with Skybox Pro 16

Notice the bent antennae…this had us worried about the hatchback.  Luckily, the gate cleared with a 1/2 inch to spare!  Unfortunately, that means the 16 is going to be the biggest Yakima box for this truck on the factory racks.  Thule’s Boxter should fit fine if you need a bit more space.

Here is my one gripe about the Mopar bars…they don’t have enough adjustability!  We were only able to spread them to 28.5″ apart.  Also, the chrome rails give you the illusion that they could be spread further…see below.

Mopar bars not as adjustable as they look

Mopar bar backside detail - see what is preventing it from moving further

While 28.5″ is acceptable, one would have hoped for something wider, especially for trips to Home Depot, or with canoes or kayaks.  To this date, Thule and Yakima do not yet have a raised rail option, only the Q towers system described below is available.

Update 10/14/10:  Here it is–Yakima Q towers with Q5, Q10, and 58″ bars will yield a 32″ spread and has a 125lb capacity.  Don’t forget your 50″ fairing.  This one caught me by surprise…a ‘clip’ system for a truck with a factory rack!  Yakima tells us the Q system will arch over the side rails.  The fit notations include:

Comments

Hopefully this announcement will be followed shortly with a Thule solution.  When we get a system installed, I’ll be sure to post pictures.

Update 10/11/10:  Thanks for your patience…but unfortunately neither Thule or Yakima have published a fit just yet.  They need some pressure from folks like you, so go to Thule or Yakima websites and enter the 2011 Grand Cherokee into the fit guides…hopefully with increased demand they will speed up the development process.  On the other hand, we do have a Class III 2″ trailer hitch from Curt!  If your new Grand didn’t come with a hitch, Curt has engineered a clean-looking and very easy to install product…use our hitch fitting guide here to see for yourself.

We did see a new Jeep in the shop this weekend, and sadly the products we have on the shelf don’t look like they will work.  So please, if you are thinking of putting racks on your Jeep, be patient and wait for a properly fitting product from one of our rack manufacturers so you can carry your load safely and securely.  I’ll update again as soon as I have further information.

-Scott

Updated!  Story continues here

Stay tuned for our review of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee roof rack. We’ll be taking a look at the capabilities of the factory rack, and predicting what Thule and Yakima will develop to fit the new roofline. Rack Attack will also be helping you figure out the best way to carry boats, bikes, skis, boards and cargo on this awesome new vehicle, so check back soon…

Today, Chris over at Walser Hopkins Jeep in Hopkins, Minnesota introduced me to a real-life 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.  It was pretty awesome.  Sharp looking ride.  I was able to learn a little about the vehicle’s factory roof rack.

2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE for real

First, the rails look good, well integrated into the lines and the matching chrome around the windowsill.   The truck you see is above is the Overland edition.  There is still the standby Laredo, and it has the same exact rail.  I understand that the rails are the factory installed, and there is no ‘delete option’ if you were to try and order the car without it.

The parts department didn’t yet have any dealer-installed crossbars.  We’ll have to hold tight, although I did find a set of less-than-awesome bars on ebay…

The rails look solid from the side, but they actually have a track along the top:

2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE side rail close-up

The channel is deep & wide, and looks like an easy platform for putting together an aftermarket rack setup.  I’m going to take a guess and say that Thule will develop a fit for their 430 Tracker system and Yakima will likely approve a Control Tower Fit.  However, the shape of the top of the rail may dictate that they will have to develop a new TK base or Landing Pad to fit the profile.  As there is a ‘lip’ on the backside of the rail (not pictured), Thule may choose to go with a 460 Podium fit instead.  Of course we’ll just have to wait and see.

The bad news, however, is that the channel is very limited in length.  A bar-spread may only end up being about 30″ +/-, and you are restricted in your fore/aft placement by the plastic caps at either end of the rail.  But there is also some good news here…The rail is held on by a half-dozen Torx fasteners…meaning it will be easy to remove.  Once removed, the expert installers at Rack Attack will be able to lay down a full length 72″ track (maybe cut down to 66″), giving you the versatility to carry virtually anything you choose.  We will be anxiously awaiting our first customer who wants to do this modification, and I’ll get pictures as soon as possible.

Going back to the factory rack, if you elect to simply set up some crossbars for a cargo box, we may have some hatchback interference.  While not as dramatic as a Toyota Highlander or Subaru Outback, there still is a rear spoiler that may spoil the opportunity to put a full length box up top…but again, we’ll cross our fingers and report back on the ‘max-length’ box as soon as possible.  Good thing we’ve got the Thule 611 Boxter though;  Thule was smart enough to re-jigger the mounting points so this long sleek box can slip forward just enough to clear most spoilers.

This truck came with a factory installed 2″ receiver hitch.  Excellent for carrying bikes, skis/boards, or cargo.  Don’t let the dealer talk you into a 1.25″ hitch, or you will restrict your hitch options considerably.  Luckily, Rack Attack works with Curt Manufacturing, a leader in trailer hitch development and production.  It shouldn’t be long for them to come up with a Class III aftermarket hitch should your new Grand Cherokee not come with one.

Check back with me soon for real installations on the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee–hopefully we’ll have some bike, canoe, kayak, cargo, and ski/snowboard solutions for you shortly!