New Stuff from Thule: Thule Aero Blade now available at Rack Attack Coquitlam

Thule wasn’t the first kid on the Block to come out with the Thule Aeroblade style wingbar but man did they every do it right.  The fit and finish is very nice and it’s great that it will work with any of the Thule rapid bar foot packs like 450R, 460R, 480R, 430R and even the older 400XTR. Being the owner of  a Nissan Frontier and ended up installing the Thule 450R with the Aeroblade and what an improvement over the reg 450 square bars or the 450R with 47″RB bar. I was also able to go one  size bigger from a 47″ to a 53″ as the new AeroBlade has a longer grove on the bottom of the bar for the towers to slide. Yahoo! I can now carry my car topper boat or a couple of kayaks without having to go with the loud regular lb58″ square bar. I found that the Thule AeroBlade was not only a lot stronger than the factory Nissan Frontier rack it’s also less noisy.

Also the new AreoBlade has some of the best technology built into it including:

• WindDiffuser™ is a textured surface on the t-slot cover that disturbs the airflow better than a smooth surface, greatly reducing wing noise.
• BoxBeam™ – The sophisticated BoxBeam aluminum extrusion creates one of the strongest load bars in the market. Using a vertical load test, the AeroBlade can sustain over 800 lbf of force.
• SmartSlide™ – The new SmartSlide™ is a molded measurement system providing a quick, no-hassle, tapemeasure-free foot installation. SmartSlide™ also covers the underbar slot to improve aerodynamics and noise diffusion.
• SwingBlade™ – The new SwingBlade™ end cap pivots open to allow full access to the t-slot for easy accessory installs.

Also a nice piece of information even though the AeroBlade come in about $100 or so more than a regular Thule square or RB bar in about 15,000 KM of driving (average person drives that in a year) that rack save that for you  in gas.  Or even if you went with the Thule square bar with a fairing you would still be about at the same price as the AeroBlade system, so it’s a  no brainer spend the little bit now and it will be music to your ears rather that a howl or whistling scream of a Yakima round or Thule Square bar.

450R AeroBlade 53″ installed on Factory Raised Rail.

Sliding the 450r onto AeroBlade 53″ bars

Thule 450r AeroBlade installation

Thule 53″ AeroBlade on Nissan Frontier

Thule AeroBlade End cap and rubber strip

Thule AeroBlade installed sweetness

Thule 53" AeroBlade on Nissan Frontier

Jeep Wrangler With A Boxter and Whispbar Mounted On A Track.

Here at Rack Attack Coquitlam we like to think that we can put a rack on just about anything. A common problem for vehicles that come with fiberglass roofs  (EX: a tent trailer, or canopy for a truck) is that there is usually no options coming directly from the factory for racks. One of the most common vehicles to come with a fiberglass roof would be the Jeep Wrangler our rack experts have a solid yet simple way to mount roof racks or tracks on to fiberglass tops.

We mounted a 60″ track on this jeep wrangler and attached a set of the all new Whispbar just released under Yakima. The Whispbar is the arguably one of the quietest roof racks on the market. On top of the Whispbar racks we have a Thule Boxter, the Boxter is one of the most solid cargo boxes ever created. With steel bar reinforcement on the bottom end and a reenforced lid to help cut down on wind noise and help keep the box structurally sound at high speeds.  The extremely quite Whispbar combined with the strength of the boxer and the Yakima track mounted to the roof  gives the ability to carry about 110 pounds of cargo inside the box.

To mount the track to the fiberglass roof we don’t use the regular hardware we would for mounting a track onto a sheet metal roof. We use small wing nobs to secure the track down guaranteeing a leak free fit for any fiberglass roof. The wing nobs also give you a clean fit on the inside of the jeep, you have several small wing nobs running the length of the track. This is a much better option instead of running bulky nuts and washers that would run the distance of the track.

At our Rack Attack Coquitlam store we have over 15 cargo boxes on display at any given time and more than 20-30 different sizes, colours, and shapes to fit anything from a Smart car to a stretched expedition limousine.

Please come by our store at .

Rack Attack Coquitlam
Unit #4 75 Blue Mountain St.
Coquitlam, BC, V3K 0A7
Canada
tel : 604.526.7225
email : coquitlam@rackattack.com

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=rack+attack+coquitlam&sll=49.298038,-122.84054&sspn=0.156275,0.455589&ie=UTF8&ei=Se52RvbeM5TSjQP_kpmkDg&sig2=IG4iQ_qB-eGjcKjfaTQeuw&cd=1&z=14&t=m

Yakima Skybox Lowpro 15 on Bmw X5 installed at Rack Attack Coquitlam

At Rack Attack Coquitlam we carry and stock over 30 different cargo box’s made by Yakima, Thule and Sport Rack. I had a customer come in with a nice newer BMW X5 but he need a box that was low profile and long enough for his skis.Also he wanted to have a cargo box that was sleek and stylish so we suggested the Yakima Skybox 15 lowpro in Onyx which just came out this spring in that finish.  .. seen here  http://www.rackattack.com/product-pages/yakima-skybox-lopro-15-onyx.asp.

The other box the customer was considering was the Thule Boxter 18 which is also a nice looking box but was too high to clear his under ground parking at his place in Whistler. http://www.rackattack.com/product-pages/thule-611-boxter.asp?item_type=5  In the end we tried 4-5 different box’s on the customers car and he ended up going with our first suggestion. As we both agreed it looked the best, was very easy to get on and off the vehicle, plus it even comes with a solar panel with a built-in light. So at night you can see your gear in the box..

 

Yakima Lowpro 15 Onyx cargo box on BMW X5

Sweet looking Yakima Lowpro 15 Onyx cargo box on BMW X5

 

At our Rack Attack Coquitlam store we have over 15 cargo boxes on display at any given time and more than 20-30 different sizes, colours, and shapes to fit anything from a Smart car to a stretched expedition limousine.

Please come by our store at .

Rack Attack Coquitlam
Unit #4 75 Blue Mountain St.
Coquitlam, BC, V3K 0A7
Canada
tel : 604.526.7225
email : coquitlam@rackattack.com

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=rack+attack+coquitlam&sll=49.298038,-122.84054&sspn=0.156275,0.455589&ie=UTF8&ei=Se52RvbeM5TSjQP_kpmkDg&sig2=IG4iQ_qB-eGjcKjfaTQeuw&cd=1&z=14&t=m

 

 

 

 

Rack Attack Coquitlam installed a Yakima Lowpro 15 on BMW X5

Grand Opening – Rack Attack Coquitlam Store – Metro Vancouvers leading Car Rack & Hitch Center

Rack Attack Coquitlam has moved into a brand new store in Coquitlam at 75 Blue Mountain St. Unit 4 Coquitlam, B.C. This new location is Rack Attacks first premier store with over 3,500 square feet of showroom,storage and installation bays. No installation is to big or small from installing Thule ski rack – to doing commercial truck and van racks we have you covered. The showroom has over 1600 square feet of show room so chances are we will have the rack for you! And have it ON DISPLAY and not just a box of product in packaging, like those other stores have.

Rack Attack Coquitlam

Yakima Landing Pad Installation guide and questions Answered!

Dilling for Landing Pads

Tightening LP 7's to roof

Plus Nut hardwear install

Yakima Landing pad installation: We get quite a few inquiries about how this process is done. We take the Yakima load bars and loosely install the control towers onto the bar. Then you can attach the Landing pad 6 or 7 base’s depending if it’s a metal or fiberglass roof. With the roof clean we then do a mock up where we would like the rack to sit. At Rack Attack we usually mount the front bar about 5-7” from the edge of the front windshield and the bar spread (distance between bars) anywhere from 24”-36”. Ideally it should be between 30-34” as it will fit the most accessories at this spread. Then ideally you want to mount the towers out wards as much as possible about a 1/8-1/4” in from the two rain gutter strips on the roof. Once the rack is all set up where you would like it to be you can use a punch to mark where it is going to be drilled. Use a pilot bit first about 1/8” is good size then use the bit it recommends in the instructions Landing Pad 6/7. We use a Rota bit, which drills a perfectly round hole, but you can also use a normal drill bit. Blow away any metal shavings then use some touch up paint on the bare metal. Proceed to put the Landing Pad 7 insert into the roof. And put a nice bead of silicon around the fastener and into the mounting hard wear. Last step is just tightening the LP6/LP7 bases to the roof then the control towers to the bases. And if you did purchase the locks just pop the plug out and line up the pin with the hole and turn to lock

Frequently asked Questions!

Q) How do I know what base’s to order?

A) If you are drilling into a metal roof use Landing Pad 7’s.

Found Here: http://www.rackattack.com/product-pages/yakima-landing-pad-7.asp

If it is a canopy or camper top (fiberglass) you will want to use Landing Pad 6’s.

Found Here: http://www.rackattack.com/product-pages/yakima-landing-pad-6.asp

Q) What if I hit another layer of metal or a brace?

A) You will want to drill through that as well. (But not the headliner so use tape or a drill stop) If the second layer obstructs the fastener use a punch to push it out of the way of the fastener

Q) Do I have to remove the headliner to install landing pads?

A) No, that’s one advantage of using the LP7’s they use what is called a blind fastener.

Q) Is there anything else I should know before I start?

A) Make sure you read the instructions fully before starting and give Rack Attack a call if you are uncertain about installation. It’s better to do that then be in over your head half way through and we a closed by then.

Q) Any last minute tips before I start?

A) Always measure 3 times and drill once.

Yakima Rack on 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 a.k.a 964

Yakima Rack on 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 also know as the 964 we installed a Yakima 1 A-raingutterrack with Two Yakima High Rollers and a Yakima Fairing. Since there wasn’t a hitch available we didn’t have may options. So we decided is was best to use the Yakima High Rollers for the customer as he a downhill bike.  Thule also makes a similar product to the Highroller called the Side Arm.

http://www.rackattack.com/product-pages/yakima-highroller.asp

http://www.rackattack.com/product-pages/thule-594-sidearm.asp

Thule Ascent 1100

The Thule Ascent 1100 is a 11 cubic foot box at a good value. The customer came into Rack Attack Coquitlam looking for a cargo box that was lowprofile and narrow enough to put a canoe beside it. The customer origanilly was looking at the Yakima Space Booster 11 but it was two high and didn’t have the dual-side opening or wind tunnel testing that the Thule Ascent had.  So being both affordable and the size and dimensions she was looking for it was done, especially because her some loved the box. The Thule Ascent 1100 can carry anything from small children, 5-6 pairs of skis, or some camping gear etc…… Warning!!!! Rack Attack does not recommend putting children into cargo box at any time!!! http://www.rackattack.com/product-pages/thule-602-ascent.asp

Custom Thule Track on a Honda Fit 2007-2008

With today’s vehicles to make them more affordable and light weight they sometimes cut corners and that is true with the paint on the the Honda Fit. For this reason Rack Attack Coquitlam recommends going with the track system rather then  the Thule or Yakima towers that clip into the doors. For there has been issues of the paint flaking where the clips attach. But with this track system there is a huge bonus going with it, over the other systems anyway. The weight limit goes from 125lbs up to 165lbs, and if you are carrying long loads like Kayaks or canoes you can go with a bigger bar spread. Increasing the bar spread is going to stabilize long or heavy loads, which makes it stronger and safer.  Also you don’t get any interference with the door seals which over time can compress them causing leakage or wind noise.  Rack Attack Coquitlam has a step by step proved way of installing tracks only using the best quality Yakima and Thule products available. Which include the Thule 42″ tracks plus nuts, Thule 430 towers with TK1, 50″ load bars, and 4 pack locks.

http://www.rackattack.com/product-pages/thule-tp54-54-inch-top-track-with-flare-nuts.asp

http://www.rackattack.com/product-pages/thule-430-tracker-ii-foot-pack.asp

http://www.rackattack.com/product-pages/thule-tk1-tracker-kit-1.asp

2009 Subaru Legacy Wagon with Thule 440 rack and Yakima Highroller Bike Racks

The New Subaru Legacy comes with a factoryrail but the factory cross bars are unable to handle the load of downhill mountain bikes,especially three of them. So under the recommendation of Rack Attack Coquitlam, this customer decided to go with the Thule 440 tower system with the SR2pad which fit’s the Subaru factory rail like a glove.  And to cut down any unwanted wind noise and drag, Rack Attack Coquitlam also recommends using the 870xt Thule Fairing. For carrying three downhill mountain bikes the customer had a choice of the Thule Side Arm, Yakima King Cobra, or Yakima  Highroller. The customer opted to go with the High Roller for it’s compatible with Fairings unlike the King Corba.  Because the customer wanted an easy install & uninstall,  and the cleanest look possible, it just made the most sense to go with the Yakima Highroller.

http://www.rackattack.com/product-pages/thule-440-subaru-specialty-carrier.asp

http://www.rackattack.com/product-pages/thule-544-4-pack-lock-cores.asp?item_type=3

http://www.rackattack.com/product-pages/yakima-highroller.asp

http://www.rackattack.com/product-pages/thule-870xt-fairing.asp