Yakima rack solution!

[Jwnmt]

Hi out there, I haven't posted for a while though I do visit quite often. I bought my GT back in August and have been pondering the roof rack problem ever since. Well, I did come up with a solution that enables one to have skis and/or bikes on the car while still being able to use the hatchback. According to the Yakima site, the recommended way to install a sports rack is to use the low rider towers which attach directly to the factory roof rack. Doing this means the rack sits very far back on the car and your toys prohibit you from opening the hatch. Now, instead of using for low rider towers, what I did was to use 2 of the standard Q towers and 2 of the low rider towers. What you do is buy the 2 Q towers and the clips that fit the vibe (they are available). Next you mount the Q towers just behind the front windshield on the front doors. Next you mount the low riders as far foreword on the roof rack as possible. This way the rack sits much farther foreword on the car! Add your fairing and your various sports attachments and you are ready to go. It looks kind of different but I like it and I use it for both skis/snowboads and bikes. I do have a digital camera and would be willing to post some pictures of my setup if anyone is interested. Like I said before, this was a major dilemma for me and I am glad to have a system that works. I hope this helps some people out! Jon

[Jwnmt]

Here are some pictures..........Jon

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[Jwnmt]

Another one!

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[Jwnmt]

3rd of 4........

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[Jwnmt]

Last one! Yes, it does look funny but I kind of like it since I use the the rack so much!

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[Jwnmt]

Actually I have the moon roof and the rack doesn't get in the way at all. Jon

[meathead333]

yeah its kinda weird lookin, but i guess it works, thats all that matters. how much do the peices that attach to the vibe rack cost?? one my old car i scratched up the car by attaching that rack like you did to the front of the car. notice any wear or scratches?

[Jwnmt]

This is not the first Yakima that I have installed on a car that I have owned. If you do it properly and use the tools provided, you shouldn't scratch your car up.....if you are careful. I didn't go with the Thule because I don't like their system, it's more expensive and I hear they are harder to install. It's just a matter of preference in this case, both Yakima and Thule offer excellent sport racksystems. As far as scratches go, as you can see I am an outdoor person. I bought the car for it's versatility. Yes, I do take excellent care of my car but you can't keep it in absolutely pristine condition. I ceases to be that way when they load it on the truck to ship it to the dealer. Jon

[philndz]

watch ur head gettin out there! ive got the 4xlowrider setup....works great w/ bikes b/c i have the anklebiters not the fork mounts......i dont think it would work w/ skis though....i love to ski but dont own skis so no problem there.plus i use extended 66inch bars for my longer expeditions w/ a basket inbetween the two bikes.....if i had mine up front like that...w/ 66 inch bars....i would have a whole in my head by now!!!!versitility over looks....always....i am almost to the stage where i dont care about the small scratches. gettin to some trail areas and such i have had to go through tight double-track roads in the woods and i have picked up some hairlines down the sides....but hey....you gotta LIVE!!!!

[tinman]

I have the 4 Lowriders and the Lockjaw bike mounts. I called Yakima and they recommended that I mount the bike mounts backwards (Lockjaw in the back of the car). Looks kinda goofy with the bikes pointing towards the back, but the rack is a good six inches away from the hatch. My only concern is slamming on the brakes and the momentum pulling the bike out of the Lockjaw. Driving home on Friday, I passed another Vibe in the Harrisburg area and it looked like their Lockjaws were backwards, too. I wanted to be sure, so I pulled over and waited till he passed me again so I could get a second look.Has anyone else tried mounting their rack backwards? If I cannot find others who are happy with mounting their rack backward, then I may just have to get a hitch and a hitch mounted rack. I was never confident with the roof rack on my Saturn due to the darn plastic rain gutters which made it a pain to get the Q mounts on properly, so I'm really concerned about getting a secure mount on the Vibe.Thanks,Tim

[philndz]

the yakima anklebiter deuce is the model i use....i dont have to mount it backwards and i could hit a wall and the bikes would stay up there.....and can be locked in by a key too!

[ShotInTheDark]

never been a big fan of yak racks or thule. I use a saris rack on mine. But since i get a huge discount, for working for a saris dealer I guess I am kinda partial. I like the options, the fit, the low wind noise and resistance, hell all of it. Saris makes a well manufactured rack for the cost.