(Part 3) Reddit mentions: The best cargo racks

I have this one:
http://www.amazon.com/CURT-18084-Hitch-Mounted-Tray-Style-Bike/dp/B00G4AB4MS

This is what it looks like on the car:
https://imgur.com/fVMeA3a
https://imgur.com/oUgzKiE

Curt also makes a 4 bike version of this which ends up being a 2 bike rack with a 2 bike extension depending on what you are carrying.

I also picked up the locks for it for like another 20 bucks. The rack is very well built and everything tightens down nicely. It's pretty easy to put on and take off. For the price I really don't think you can do better. I looked at the Thule and Yakima as I previously had a 4 bike Thule hanging rack which I loved. The Thule and Yakima racks ended up being about the price of one of my bikes which seemed crazy to me.

I had the rack on 3 months this year and it held up just fine! The tools included fit nicely in the glove box and make for easy adjustments. The locking knobs made me feel very secure carrying my bike. I think it would be tough to remove it. Some comments said the wheels on their bikes bounced out of the carrier, ignore them. I see no way this is possible unless they, had a mountain bike with unlocked/uncompressed suspension or didn't actually tighten down the clamp. If you are really worried I guess you could pick up some velcro.

Edit: Should point out that it is a WRX, I've just swapped trunks with an STI.

Yes, this particular rack is completely open on top other than the Thule crossbars I added. I space the cross bars so I can use the freedom top with them on. I do have to pop off the back bar to take the top all the way down but it is easy and I rarely do this anyway because it is a little hard for me to put it back up myself. It isn't the fanciest of racks, but it works perfectly for my needs.

nice jeep! love the green. what roof rack is that?

Edit: Found it. Smittybilt SRC roof rack

This is the current basket I have right now here . Only thing I did was add a camo vinyl to the fairing. The old one is here , but I don’t recommend it due to its flimsiness. The tow hook is just an aesthetic tow hook from amazon as well, it’s non functional.

I personally have Dave’s Rack and it’s large size allows me to cary two 6-person tents, an E-Z Up, 4 luggage bags, a couple air mattresses, and even a handful of sleeping bags if I’m really trying to make it work.

I will also typically hook up a hitch-mounted carrier for heavier things like Ice Chests, or a generator, that I don’t feel like attempting to get up above the roof.

I find trailers, even the lightest ones, tend to reduce the ground clearance under my gas tank past my comfort level.

TLDR: I prefer roof racks over trailers.

I have driven the length of California at least 10 times with my board using some [shitty straps similar to these] (https://www.amazon.com/Block-Surf-Single-Wrap-Surfboard/dp/B000J47RD0/ref=sr_1_3?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1521695902&sr=1-3&keywords=surfboard+car). I am from SoCal by went to school in NorCal.

That said, during the summeryou're unlikely to find good surf any further north than orange county. Your better trip would be to head south to baja.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001TID59A/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1410499005&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

Just bought them off amazon. Around $110, used two 3"clamps to hold it on the bed rails (didn't want to drill). The rack worked awesome.

I had Rola Roof racks when I had a 2008 Mazda 3. They're awesome. They can pretty much hold anything including large items like a kayak. Just FYI there are no holes in the ditch molding to install the racks but the actual anchors are there, you just need to drill custom holes. These are the ones I had

My biggest discovery for the interior mods has been with molle attachment systems, including molle seat covers. I also have these for either side's roll bars

Teraflex cargo rack

Trailgater

Xprite sleeping pad

More than anything it's been with the molle gear though, because it makes storage work very easily.

http://www.amazon.com/Surco-DR1001-Stainless-Steel-Removable/dp/B000CCFFRE

Amazon auto parts ftw!

Yes! This is my first time with my new rack. Customer service at rhino rack said it wouldnt work but it works great. Warning though, if you are not comfortable cutting metal bars to shorten the rack pieces and drilling holes in your roof dont go this route.
The tent is the smitty built rooftop tent. Bought from 4wheel parts.
Rhino-Rack USA Y06-560 Cap Topper... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Z8SVTU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

It's the OEM VW rack. Found for Amazon for $279.99, normally more from the dealer. The OEM rack is manufactured by Thule, iirc.

https://www.amazon.com/2011-2013-Jetta-Sedan-Roof/dp/B006WBHIF6

Installation was super easy. As for the fairing, I am looking into it. Apparently only a select few will fit. The wind noise is not so great. I know that some Inno fairings work, but I don't like the giant stickers or branding.

I remember it being hard to find but I can't find it either so maybe they don't anymore. I ordered mine 4 years ago. This might be helpful, though http://www.amazon.com/Surco-S4560-Safari-Rack-45X60/dp/B00029KBGW

It would definitely be in the way and a giant pain, but I believe they make ones that will swing out left or right for easier access they just cost more.

https://www.amazon.com/StowAway-Swing-Away-Rear-Cargo/dp/B002XGHW3C

Also, I got my OEM carrier bars and ski attachment on amazon for $439 total.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A3D3588/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N5TB9XK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you're trying to be frugal, check out block surf racks.
http://www.amazon.com/Block-Surf-Single-Wrap-Surfboard/dp/B000J47RD0

You can get them at shops around town and they have kept my boards safe. Also real easy to put on and take off if you want to.

Same advice as above, just cheaper.

Block Surf Soft Rack I find myself using my racks for lots of other things besides just the board, so it'll be a good investment.

You need something like http://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-2740-Textured-Universal-I-Rack/dp/B003DUFBRQ to attach the rack. However you better make sure your spare tire carrier can handle the extra 35lb or so of stress and is mounted high enough to avoid most collisions.

That looks nice for $140 (I was looking at this guy for $185 but if they're equivalent I'll take the cheap one). Can it hold all styles of adult bike (road, mountain, city)? Thinking of doing a bike tour on my Miata in July.


Also does it need any additional hardware if I get this hitch? For install, some instructions seem to imply it requires drilling, others not?

300$ ? thats better than what Chevy offers (695$):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PGRGCV8/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=

Do those ones require drilling though?

Edit:
Lowes (299) - says no drilling required - nice:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Better-Built-The-Quantum-Rack/3397552

Home Depot (298) - says no drilling required:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/TracRac-TracOne-800-lb-Capacity-Universal-Truck-Rack-27000-01/203346592

This is completely false.

The "naked" roof of the Sport model has tiny little doors in the roof molding/rain gutter that when opened, provide access to the factory threaded holes for cross bars or aftermarket side rails such as SSD Performance

This would be an accurate discription of the work needed to REMOVE the factory installed side rails from the models other than the Sport. These are definitely bolted on from the inside prior to the headliner being installed and would need to have the remaining holes addressed for weather proofing.

This is the one I bought. Might be the same. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071LP4DHB/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Then yes, I bought the medium sized Inno fairing.

Hitch mount for sure. They are fairly inexpensive and you can still use your trunk. Plus don’t have to worry about the paint getting messed up

I use this one from curt. I’ve been happy with it and it’s a fraction of the price of others

CURT 18084 Tray-Style Hitch-Mounted Bike Rack
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G4AB4MS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_tR5OCbN3P1QAG

I have this one: http://www.amazon.com/CURT-18084-Hitch-Mounted-Tray-Style-Bike/dp/B00G4AB4MS

The price seems to fluctuate a lot. I bought it less than 2 months ago for $140, now its $186.

Just found this... I can put it on the hitch, and keep it out of the wind. But when I need to carry bikes I can put it on the roof.

https://www.amazon.ca/CargoLoc-32534-Hitch-Mount-Carrier/dp/B00VQZ0GSO/ref=asc_df_B00VQZ0GSO/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292938061179&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9067552144826282227&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9000835&hvtargid=pla-349405090976&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/Surco-S4560-45-Safari-Rack/dp/B00029KBGW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=8-1&keywords=surco+safari+roof+rack+jeep+xj

https://www.amazon.com/Apex-RB-7206-Low-Profile-Camping-Basket/dp/B002M4GMI6

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Again, not that good but it suffices for my small things.

I wouldn't feel comfortable putting anything other than a disposable [walmart] bike on that rack. Especially not someone else's expensive mountain or road bike.

Spend a few extra bucks and get something beefier (Can usually be found for ~$130): https://www.amazon.com/CURT-18084-Tray-Style-Hitch-Mounted-Bike/dp/B00G4AB4MS/ref=pd_sbs_468_39?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Z6ZAR7M7X7QVV441WW7M

Get blocks, https://www.amazon.com/Block-Surf-Single-Wrap-Surfboard/dp/B000J47RD0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502243952&sr=8-1&keywords=surfboard+car+straps

I bought this from Amazon. Worked for me so far. It was a little scary at first but I haven't had even close to an accident in the past 8 months. I've even gone 70mph+ on the freeway with it, though not really recommended.

http://www.amazon.com/Block-Surf-Single-Wrap-Surfboard/dp/B000J47RD0

> Additionally OP wants access to his rear doors so it looks like you didn't even read the post...

No I read the OP first then read all the others.

Actually I have cycled year round for over 2 decades and I also have traveled across the US for work; so I am well aware of the different state statutes and different hitches available.

This will work for a rear hitch: https://www.amazon.com/CURT-18084-Tray-Style-Hitch-Mounted-Bike/dp/B00G4AB4MS/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1496246713&sr=8-20&keywords=bike+racks+hitch+mount

And the bike rack cannot obstruct the view of the license plate anyhow:http://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/638859-hitch-bike-carriers-legality-blocking-license-plate.html

There is another reason why bike racks on the front is frowned upon and state troopers will pull you over. They often obstruct the view front the front windshield unless your vehicle has a driver's seat with a high vantage point.

Partially obstructing the view of a rear window isn't as big of a concern as a front windshield.

Edit:

another excerpt:

https://www.themarshallproject.org/2015/08/03/how-the-supreme-court-made-it-legal-for-cops-to-pull-you-over-for-just-about-anything#.uMWVeJjS2
"Attached carriers for wheelchairs and scooters? Illegal. Rental trailers? Illegal. Bicycle racks? Illegal. “[E]ven a public bus equipped with a bicycle rack on its front would be unlawful under the State’s reading,” the court said. But in the end, the determination that police had misread the law did Gaytan no good. The court decided the police’s mistake was reasonable, and, citing Heien, refused to throw out the drugs seized in the stop."

You take your chances with hitch racks.