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#1
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Adding rails to factory Roof Rack for bikes
I was reading that the factory rack is not held on very well and then I
was looking at some of the roof rack bars that clamp to the factory rack and noticed that some of them just hook over the factory rack and clamp together. So theoretically you could clamp the bars so tight that they rip the factory rack off of the roof? I have a 1998 S-10 Blazer with a factory roof rack and I want to upgrade it to cary 3 bikes now and then in a few years a 4th bike (small child now). I would like to get a Yakima or a Thule but they seem so expensive for ocassional use. Does anyone else have a blazer with a roof rack that has added bars. Yakima had lowriders, thule has a similar product. These appear to clamp around the factory rack. Pro-Line has one http://www.a1-autoracks.com/proline-...crosspars.html Does anyone have one of these? O should I not attach to the factory rack at all? Anyother source suggestions? Or compelling reasons to get the Yakima or Thule? What bike holders do you reccommend? I do not have quick release wheels so I do not want to take them off. Thule looks better than Yakima in this respect. Any preferences? Any others? Thanks Mark |
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#2
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#3
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jj wrote:
I'd advise getting a trailer hitch and mount into that. This was the route we went. Makes loading and unloading very easy. I'm pleased with it. Rich |
#4
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On Tue, 01 Mar 2005 10:35:32 -0700, Rich wrote:
jj wrote: I'd advise getting a trailer hitch and mount into that. This was the route we went. Makes loading and unloading very easy. I'm pleased with it. Rich Cool. I'd be worried the roof rack would detach, or the roof would buckle unless specifically rated by Chevy for that. Though Blazers are built OK, those roof racks seem to be mostly for light luggage. Didn't think about the loading and un-loading; good point. Heh, now you don't have to worry about putting the car in the garage, then going 'oops!'... ;-D jj |
#5
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jj wrote:
On Tue, 01 Mar 2005 10:35:32 -0700, Rich wrote: jj wrote: I'd advise getting a trailer hitch and mount into that. This was the route we went. Makes loading and unloading very easy. I'm pleased with it. Rich Cool. I'd be worried the roof rack would detach, or the roof would buckle unless specifically rated by Chevy for that. Though Blazers are built OK, those roof racks seem to be mostly for light luggage. In fact they may not even be designed for that. Late model roof racks are usually designed for sports equipment add-ons, but older vehicles' roof racks were mostly decorative! The problem is not the roof bucking, it's the screws holding the rack on pulling right out. If you do have a late model vehicle, the accessories from Yakima or Thule should be fine. These brands are your best bet because of their widespread distribution, which makes it easy to get parts, etc. Resale value is pretty good too. Didn't think about the loading and un-loading; good point. Yup, for a high roofline vehicle a hitch rack is a lot easier to use, much more aerodynamic, and not prone to garage entry incidents. I've seen more than one person drop a bike while straining to put it in a roof rack on a tall SUV, damaging both truck and bike. The downside to rear racks is the bikes get dirtier. However, with such a large vehicle, why do you even need a rack? Do they really not fit inside? I've always driven *cars,* and rarely had trouble putting bikes in the trunk. Even small cars will usually take one bike. Most Midsize SUVs will take 3 or 4 no problem. Even though I have racks, I only use them when I have more than one bike to carry in a small car. Another thing to consider is security -- bikes in racks are major theft targets, as are the racks themselves. Most of the locks are pretty useless too. With Thule, for example, even a child can rip the knobs right off, lock and all. 4 kids can steal a rack full of bikes in about 5 seconds, drop it in the back of a pickup truck, and be gone before you look up from eating your hamburger. My major criteria for cars is that bikes must fit *inside.* Very few cars are actually too small to carry one bike -- with ease. With the rear seat folded, even a Mini will carry 2. Geez, what did we all do before fancy modular roof rack systems? Heh, now you don't have to worry about putting the car in the garage, then going 'oops!'... ;-D Worth thinking about too! Matt O. |
#6
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The owner's manual should specify the weight rating of the roof rack. If it
is 100 lb, that is three mountain bikes or four road bikes. Another down side to a rear rack is that it may be in the way when you want to open the trunk or tailgate. I HAVE wiped off a bike on a low overhanging roof, and it's disgusting. But, having done it once, I doubt that I will ever let it happen again. As to reaching high and dropping a bike: Costco has a little folding stepladder for about $20 that is perfect for this. Also, I hang a piece of carpet down the side of my wagon while I'm loading/unloading. |
#7
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I guess I should have mentioned that the reason to load-up the bikes,
some of the time, is to go camping. I have a Jayco 1406, 2300lb 280 lb tonge weight, so the hitch mount bike rack to tow with was a good idea, but the rating on the one I got years ago is 2500 lb so with the camper and some food and gear, I am over. Plus the bikes hit the jack on the trailer. That also fills the back of the blazer with stuff, like I said, I have 3-4 bikes to take plus the Burley bike trailer for the little one. I prefer to use the top of the Blazer over the top of the camper so we can take the bikes to the trail if it is not near the campground or if we want to see the other end of the trail. (the kids cannot ride that far yet...) so, mount the roof rack to the factory rack, or get the towers that sit on top the roof? Stick with the two big players or venture out into cheaper solutions? Yes I am afraid of ripping them off the top when I get home, but I cannot pull into the garage with the trailer attached, and if it is not attached, I will use the hitch mount carrier. thanks |
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