How Do I Buy My First Car Rack? - Outside Magazine
He currently lives in a Dodge Ram 2500 outfitted with a custom camper he designed to hold six kayaks, two bikes, a kiteboard, and climbing gear—with room left over for a bed and small kitchen. With this kind of experience, we thought he’d be the perfect person to give us some basic tips about how to buy a car rack. Tip: Roof racks from companies like Yakima and Thule fit most factory bars, but there are two different hitch sizes, so make sure you buy the right one for your car. Decide What Toys You Want to Carry If you just want to haul bikes, buy a bike-specific rack like the Thule Sidearm 594XT. If you haul multiple types of gear, you’ll need a customizable system like a roof rack. If you want to haul bikes, kayaks, and skis at the same time, you might need a roof rack and a trailer hitch. Buy the Right Rack for Your Terrain “Where you live matters,” Dorr says. If you live where trees might hit a bike on your roof, use a rear hitch system. If you’re out in steep, rocky terrain like Moab, where you might smash your hitch, buy a roof system like the Yakima Frontloader. Consider Convenience If you’re too short to reach the top of your car or can’t lift your bike that high, don’t buy a roof rack. We like the Yakima TwoTimer because it carries both road and mountain bikes. Source: www.outsideonline.com
