Gearing Up for Winter with the Only Ski & Snowboard Racks You'll Ever Need

Unlike the spring lead-up to summer, it seems no one is ever quite ready for the temperatures to plunge and the first snows to fall.  We've still got autumn, but this last official day of summer has to be a reminder that our days of lengthy SUP paddles in heated weather are drawing to a close.

(Ed. note: If you're in Cali, Bali, or some other sunshine coast, feel free to disregard completely and jump to the below info.  It'll be useful if you've got an eye on some Boulder real estate.)

Anyway, for those of us with a FULL 4 seasons, now's the time to be thinking seasonal change.  The chairlifts will be cranking up before you know it and you don't want to find yourself realizing - again - that your skis are going to spend another season relegated to the loneliest corner of your abode.

At StoreYourBoard.com we're already seeing a healthy boost to the winter sports sales, an excellent sign that at least a percentage of us are type A planners to the fullest.   For the rest, consider this a helpful reminder as we roll out a menu of our bestselling winter products.

These products vary in their application, but each is a top selling product because it does its job simply and affordably.  Here they are:

Our BLAT Ski Storage Rack is the go to rack for a family or serious collection of skis, period.  It's got the looks to hang in your cedar lined mudroom, as evidenced in the photo, but the image I really prefer is the one below.  Sure it displays shovels instead of skis (multi functional!), but it's immediately obvious that this thing is a beast!  Oh, your skis each weigh a ridiculous 37 lbs?  No problem.  Load this thing down with a full roster of 8 pairs.  That's $7.50/pair, which is far less than the tax you just paid for your latest rides. 

Next up is a favorite snowboard wall option that automatically generates FREE SHIPPING.             The Cinch is a minimalist setup that attractively displays your board for a measly $9.99.  But it's also a part of our new free shipping initiative on select products, meaning $9.99 is your final price.  I especially like it because it's one of the few snowboard wall racks that allows your board to hug the wall as tightly as possible, making it easy to navigate around all year long. 

The freestanding rack is a perennial bestseller for two reasons.  First, it's one of the few floor racks designed to handle extra wide powder skis, so it's a particular favorite for the westerners out there.  And second, it's just easy.  Meaning no assembly tools needed, no maintenance, no problems with melting ice and snow.  Leave it outside or in your garage - it'll hold up for years.  Constructed of durable polycarbonate and MADE IN THE USA there isn't a home, lodge or trailside condo where this rack won't work.  So if you don't want to locate wall studs, drive drywall anchors or spend 10 minutes on assembly, turn here.

Okay, so it turns out you DO have a beautiful home or nice log sided condo.  You deem aesthetics important, and like the natural look of wood.  Maybe you're even a mountain manager and are looking to replace the standard lineup of metal racks.  Constructed from USA cedar and manufactured in Wisconsin, our Ski & Snowboard Outdoor Log Rack is the perfect solution for storing your skis and boards in a tidy manner, while still looking good.  Select from one of 3 finishes, then place this rack on the back deck or beside the front entrance.  The rot resistant cedar - plus the finish - will protect your rack for many years, despite harsh winter weather.

Last up, I'll turn to a favorite StoreYourBoard.com rack with a story I love.  We designed the Hi-Port 2 for use with watersports equipment; surfboards, SUPs and kayaks specifically.  And it immediately started flying off the shelves, with reviews pouring in. If overhead ski, snowboard and pole storage is your game, the Hi-Port 2 works exceptionally well.  Each arm measures 25", so a number of skis and boards can fit side by side.  But the best feature may be the rack's center extension post.  Push it close to the ceiling (hangs down approximately 12"), or fully extend to about 20" if you have a tall ceiling.  It makes retrieval easy, while utilizing previously unused overhead space.  And despite it's robust steel construction, with padded, detachable arms and all around adjustability, the Hi-Port 2 is sold for $74.99.  

So there it is.  A lineup of 5 of our best suited winter sports racks.  If one of them doesn't do the trick, just hop on over to our Ski or Snowboard corners for a perusal of the largest selection on the web.

The Hi-Port 2 has arrived! | Kayak, SUP and surfboard ceiling storage

We're very excited to announce that the Hi-Port 2 is now readily available for purchase!  The development of this rack goes back quite a ways and is a story I won't belabor.  What's important is that we wanted to design a rack that would fix or upgrade all the shortcomings found in the current line-up of ceiling racks.  In my opinion, mission accomplished.  

I invite you to have a scan of either our Double Kayak listing or our Multi - SUP/Surf listing for the full roster of details, but for a quick run-by, here's what we did with the Hi-Port 2:

• Doubled the capacity.  So many ceiling racks are built for a single kayak or board.  But many of our customers have multiple watercraft...so we doubled the capacity with 2-sided, easy accessibility.  Supports 100 lbs!

• Adjusts vertically. The center post slides up and down and locks in place with a gated pin.  So 1) you can maximize space by lowering the rack for 18" of clearance or 2) raise the rack to allow for vehicle clearance underneath. (In this scenario, the rack hangs 12" from the ceiling).

• Mounting plate rotates 90 degrees. Why is this important? Well, most racks can only be mounted in one direction, determined by the orientation of ceiling rafters. The Hi-Port 2 can be mounted in either direction, so there's no concern about whether or not the rack will "work".

• XL arms. The arms are each 25" long and are designed to support SUPs up to 36" wide.

• Removable arms.  All 4 arms can be removed with the simple click of a button.  Makes storage or mounting beside a wall very simple.

• Heavy duty construction.  As always, we strived to overbuild the Hi-Port 2. It's made entirely from steel with arms padded by thick foam that holds up well to abuse.

Check it out and tell them who sent you.

The 5 Levels of "SUP-session"

Hauling Your 'Yak: Which Kayak Dolly to Choose?

A number of years back I was on an extended fishing and kayaking trip with my dad and brother in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York.  We were camping, paddling, eating plenty of bacon and PB&J sandwiches and generally enjoying a leisurely life away from computers and calls.  Until, that is, we hit the longest carry (portage for the Frenchmen) I've ever experienced.  

That carry ended up stretching more than a mile between bodies of water and - if memory serves - we traipsed it three times.  Lug the kayaks, head back, then manhandle the assortment of fishing and camping gear over the heavily rooted path. Needless to say, it wasn't the trip's highlight.

Somewhere along that stretch I concluded there must be a better way.  And now of course I know there is.  A few simple kayak dollies would have saved us time, backache and those two extra jaunts down the path.  Not having a kayak cart is a mistake I won't make again.

You don't need to be on a wilderness expedition to require a kayak cart. In fact, I'd venture to guess that most kayak dolly owners use their vehicle for short pulls of a quarter mile or less. House to the beach, car to the river, camp to the cove.  Whatever the distance, a kayak dolly is an incredibly useful instrument that takes the struggle out of the equation.  And what I like best is the carrying capacity a dolly allows.  Fishing gear, paddle, water, rain gear, anchor...it all goes in the kayak for transportation with little noticeable weight.

Like anything, different folks will require different style kayak carts.  On StoreYourBoard.com I'm very pleased with the quality of each dolly in our selection, but for specific applications, here's what I'd recommend.

"Around Town"

For the most part you're not looking to haul your kayak long distances and you won't be towing through thick mud, knobby rocks or gnarly paths.  Sidewalks, gravel or dirt paths, a bit of sand; this is your style.

I recommend our Deluxe Kayak Dolly for the following reasons.

• 150 lb. capacity you'll never exceed
• Dual leg kickstand for easy, single person loading
• Center-mount towing (equals less weight for you to shoulder)
• "No flat" wheels that roll smoothly and can handle minor obstructions
• Quality stainless steel & aluminum hardware
• Great price point at $134.99

"Off Road"

You like to go down treacherous paths or typically have no clue what terrain you might encounter. Sand, mud, roots and rocks are all in your future.

I recommend our All Terrain Kayak Cart for the following reasons.

• Massive "no flat" 15" tires for superior clearance and excellent traction
• Thick foam padding cradles your kayak for exceptional fit
• Beefy aluminum construction keeps weight down, but allows for 250 lb. capacity!
• Compact frame folds down in seconds - great for overnight trips

"Beach Commander"

Your favorite water is reached after a long haul over deep, loose, shifting sands. The type of terrain that typically swallows up wagons, carts and strollers. What you need are purpose designed beach wheels.

I recommend our Fishing Kayak Cart with Sand Wheels for the following reasons.

• Same cart as the All Terrain but fitted out with balloon wheels for super flotation
• Huge wheel surface area allows the cart to float over sand where lesser dollies dig in
• Another popular option is to buy the Sand Wheels and build your own cart!

Keep the memories fresh and the hauling easy!  Until next time...

Building the Best Fishing Rack Selection

Our Reclaimed Fishing Rod Rack - constructed from repurposed white oak wine barrel staves

 If any time is ripe for wetting a line it's these days when the sunrise hours are longest and the waters are still cool.  Along the eastern seaboard the quarry is bass.  Striped for the saltwater anglers and smallmouths for the fresh.  I can happily attest that they've been eating quite fine lately, though a trophy catch still eludes me.

Back in the office fishing remains the topic of choice as we've been hard at work, having conversations, spitballing ideas, chatting with suppliers and generally employing the heavy lifting that comes with introducing a new product category.  As we head toward the heart of summer we're pretty pleased with the start of our newest category: Fishing Racks.

I say start because we're by no means finished with our curation of quality fishing products.  There's more stocking, inventorying and onboarding to accomplish before we rap things up and head back for the nearest waters.  But in the meantime, have a look.  I daresay our lineup rivals any competitor you'll toss forward in terms of unique, attractive product offerings coupled with functionality for home, vehicle, offshore boat or bass-stalking kayak.  And remember, there's more to come.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Freestanding 24 Fishing Rod Storage Rack- choose from 4 customized fishing designs.  Constructed from a weatherproof poly material, this fishing rod rack is perfect for docks or boathouses. Leave outside for years and use it to spray down rods after use.

                                                                                                

The Horizontal Suction Mount Rod Holder has some cool technology. It mounts to boats, vehicles, walls with super strong suctions with integrated vacuum pumps. Remove, reattach and use in multiple places.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               For all us fishermen who are constantly tangling lines and snapping rod tips on doors and truck tailgates.  The Truck Bed Fishing Pole Carrier solves that problem.

                                                                                       Attach it to your boat's hardtop, the wall at your house or your garage ceiling, the Fast Retrieve Fishing Pole Storage Rack is a great solution for storing rods easily and at an affordable price.

Until next time...

The Best Way to Store and Transport Your SUPs If You Live Near the Water

Versatility is one of those words we all like to hear when purchasing a product.  It suggests, "hey, this gadget can do more than one thing, but you don't have to pay double the price."  If you're purchasing a versatile food processor, there's always the hope it will chop your veggies and do double duty as an iPhone dock.  It's a quirky combo, and maybe you don't really need it, but it's a free iPhone charger!

Along those same lines I want to point out one of StoreYourBoard's versatile products, the 2 Paddleboard Cart and Stand Combo.  If you'd like the detailed specs, follow the link.  But if all you need is the quick knowledge, here it is:

• 
  SUP dolly for 2 paddleboards.  Great for hauls to the beach, river, lake, with beefy wheels that don't bog down and lock up under the weight of 2 boards.

• At home, slip off the wheels, slide on the floor supports and you have simple, compact board storage for the garage, basement or backyard shed.

• $169.99! Take it from me (the guy trying to sell this thing!), that's a good price.
  

Anyway, this SUP rack/cart combo sells pretty well.  People like it (5 Star Reviews across the board) and it's versatile!

Now, we do have listings for both the SUP dolly only and the SUP rack only (no wheels).  Find them here:

• 2 SUP Carrier 

• 2 SUP Stand

These two products absolutely fly off the shelves.  In fact, I'm not even sure we shelve them anymore.  Which is fantastic for all involved; great for customers (excellent reviews again) and good for keeping the lights on at StoreYourBoard.

 

But here's the curious part. Both the 2 SUP Carrier ($119.99) and the 2 SUP Stand ($119.99) sell many times better than the versatile 2 Paddleboard Cart and Stand Combo ($169.99).  For the price difference that really stood out to me.  Interesting, no?

I'll leave you with this.  Buy what you want and what works for you.  If you're never going to haul a dolly, what'd you need wheels for?  Same goes for the opposite way around.  But if a combo makes sense, then a little awareness helps, and this was it.

A Mission of Great Importance: Design Your Own MultiSport Rack

It all began about a year ago with an all-out-build-out of the Stainless Steel SUP and Kayak Rack.  At the time we were scratching our heads a bit at the sharp increase in customer service inquiries along the lines of:

 "I have 3 kayaks and 2 SUPs...what rack would you recommend?"

"Errr...."

Recognizing that a "buy 2 of these and 1 of these" answer just wasn't cutting it, we turned toward finding a solution.  Which didn't take long; the answer was sitting right in front of us. Several of the racks StoreYourBoard.com already carried were capable of customization and multi-sport storage.  Some were even designed for it.

But what we weren't doing--what no one else was or currently is doing!--was translating the ease of customization to all you good folks, our customers.  Sure, you could customize a rack for your needs, but it probably required several phone calls, a bunch of back and forth about measurements, worries about weights and finally some "sounds great, but you said HOW MUCH?!"

For those reasons, a la carte rack build outs were something of a futile internet exercise.  E-commerce is all about ease of purchase and these racks were anything but.

So we set out to right the wrongs.  And frankly we figured out why no one else is offering custom built, instantly priced, freestanding, multi-sport racks.  The listings take a MASSIVE amount of sweat equity to account for all the varying configurations.  But we powered through and are now incredibly satisfied to offer several of our bestselling freestanding SUP, Surf & Kayak racks as truly customizable solutions.

 THE ORIGINAL - What started it all....
Yes, it all started with the Stainless Steel SUP and Kayak Rack, but it didn't end there!  So without further adieu, have a look.  For indoor/outdoor storage of 2-10 watercraft of any assortment they're hard to beat.

                               THE ORIGINAL ON STEROIDS - Ya, 2X sided for 10 watercraft 

"BANG FOR THE BUCK" award winner - excellent affordability for steel rack with 500 lb. capacity 

The Ultimate Wakesurfing Boat

I don't want to be misleading, so I'll tell you right off the bat that this post isn't about the boat itself.  Fact is, from Malibu to Moomba, Nautique, Mastercraft, Supra and others, you don't have to look very hard to find an exceptional wake or ski boat.  

Instead this post is about the relatively new-to-market Delta WakeSurf Shaper.  Of course we carry it, so if you're one who prefers to cut to the chase, hop through this link.  But if you're curious as to why I've chosen to dedicate a post to the "Shaper", and you're interested as to how I'll spin a $400 accessory as an incredible bargain, well then, read on.

Leave the Car Behind

As far as I'm concerned there are only two ways to camp.  There's "car camping" and then there's "camping".  Throw something like "glamping" in if you insist, but then you're not really speaking my language.

I like car camping for the "get-away-quick-don't-worry-about-weather-or-forgetting-a-few-things" aspect.  It's simple.  Just throw a tent and some sleeping bags in the trunk, buy some beer and cheap food and go sit around a campfire in a nice, woodsy setting.  If you're like me, you'll bring way too much, but with your car right there to absorb it all, all the extras don't really matter.

Summer's Rolling In

It was only last week when I finally got around to dusting off the trusty Fuji Touring after a long winter.  A little air in the tires, new saddle, new bar tape and she was ready to roll.  

I bounced back nearly as quickly, peeling off a solid 18 miles before the road ran out at driveway's edge.  All in all, not a bad first showing here in late spring.  

I suppose I was halfway through the ride when three or four hulking RV's went rumbling by, heading for the coast and bluer waters.  A couple towed boats and were carrying bikes, kayaks and maybe a surfboard or two.  There were the usual jerry-rigged nylon ropes, but I was happy to witness an RV bike rack in use.  

If that land flotilla didn't signal the near arrival of summer I don't know what will.  At the very least it was a reminder that the days are longer, the bikes are out, and the mass transit of our favorite outdoor conveyances is picking up. 

Don't get left in the dust.

What's the Deal with Kayak Fishing?

I asked myself this question lately, as I was browsing through a series of customer questions dealing with "fishing kayaks" and how to best transport them.  It's an odd question because there's really nothing new about the idea.  I say this definitively; at 10 I caught my first trout from the confines of an old PVC clunker while trolling.

That was a long time ago and I have to believe the concept of "grab rod, grab 'yak and go" was around long before my formative years.  So it's a curious thing to me that "kayak fishing" as a dual-sport collective is taking off.

I pin this blossoming growth on two concurrent evolutions. The first is the natural human tendency to pursue bigger, faster, greater by ever more dubious, dangerous and quirky approaches.  At some point some crazy fella was no longer satisfied with bass in the local river, at which point he made the leap to the salt in pursuit of a species as imposing as bluefin tuna.

If you don't believe the above is real, head on over to YouTube for some tuna, wahoo or grouper shenanigans.

What aided the growth of small boat, big catch fishing is the second evolution: purpose built fishing kayaks.  At first someone added a rod holder or two to the cockpit gunnels.  A bit later, cushioned, posture supporting seats took the place of those old chunks of plastic. Then a built in livewell, or maybe some space for a cooler.  Dropdown pedal-powered propellers followed. Then electronics.  Yes, electronics, as in fish-finder.

Until one morning one of these kayak fishing anglers woke up and asked, "is this even a kayak anymore?"

Maybe not, but it was kayak fishing!  And lickety-split, all the canoe and kayak manufacturers were head over heels to get in on the hottest new trend....

Not to be outdone, we here at StoreYourBoard have been watching this progression with interest.  After all, these boats are beasts, and someone's going to need to provide a solution on how to store them, where to store them, and how to transport these fishing kayaks.

Without delving too deeply, I'll point you in the direction of 1) a kayak storage rack for use at home that performs wonderfully with heavy boats and 2) an overbuilt kayak dolly that will get you over rocks, roots and sand.

The first is our Stainless Steel Sup and Kayak Rack that supports a whopping 100 lbs. per set of arms.   For heavy kayaks or SUPs I prefer it over other racks because it's stainless and practically capable of supporting an armada.  It's fully configurable for the boats you own, meaning no wasted space.

From the pictures customers have provided (above image), it looks great on a dock or deck.

Then we have one of our favorite kayak dollies. Sure a bunch of the others we sell do their job, do it well in fact, and are more affordable. But this is the one I'd recommend for that heavy fish slayer with all its accoutrements.

Why the Heavy-Duty Kayak Cart, say you?  If the name doesn't say it all, I will.  This thing is made to tow the most burdensome of kayaks.  Kayak, full cooler, 4 rods, 27" fish finder, extra paddles, bait.  Yup, it'll handle everything (to 250 lbs.).  Even better, it's designed to work with ultra-wide sand wheels or a set of sturdy all-around tires.

All the more reason to get in on the craze.

Kayak Dock Rack: A True Problem Solver

Surfers, SUPers, canoeists, kayakers.  We welcome plenty to our (virtual) storefront, invite them in, encourage them to shop around.  Everyone's looking for something a bit different; we try our best to fulfill their needs.  So on any given day we have questions about weight limitations, mounting heights, "can this surf rack fit SUPS?", "will this hoist lift my canoe over my car?", etc.  

Obviously not all racks are created equal for all needs. A SUP display rack that looks great in your lakeside den won't be the rack of choice for a marina owner needing an upright SUP display rack for boat shows. The same can be said, of course, for kayak storage racks.

Kayak racks are a bit of a doozy for us.  We offer plenty of options--again, "to each their own" as the saying goes--but finding a truly versatile rack that solves a host of problems was proving a challenge.  And in case those problems aren't clear, here's a summary of what customers want solved:

• Easy to store and retrieve the kayak: Kayaks can be heavy, lengthy, widthy and generally too bulky for easy storage. It's easy to strain muscles throwing around a 25 pounder, to say nothing of the 55 lb tandem beasts.  So yeah, the ideal kayak storage rack eliminates or greatly reduces the need for lifting, heaving, straining...

• Near the water: In other words, store it where you'll use it.  For those who like to bounce from lake to pond to bay, of course a kayak roof rack is the way to go. But if you live on your waterway of choice, what's the kayak doing up there in the garage?

• Get this thing out of my way!: Remember these things are big and bulky. It's easy to sacrifice a garage bay or the entire end of your dock to an upside down hunk of PVC.  So for the sake of marriages, shins and ankles everywhere, you need that 'yak out of the way.

• Paddle included: No this doesn't mean "buy a rack, get a paddle!" (though maybe that's something to think about).  Rather, it means keep your paddle securely stored with your rack. Ever left for an afternoon cruise without the paddle?  Neither have we.

As mentioned, not all kayak racks will be all things to all people. But I'm writing this post now because we do have one rack in particular that solves all of the above problems for those of you lucky enough to have waterfront real estate.  Our Kayak Dock Rack has proven itself very popular for this very reason.  Maybe it's not all things to all people, but it sure is many things to many folks!

If you'll allow me a few more paragraphs I'll run through the checklist and point out a couple additional features that make the Kayak Dock Rack our top seller for outdoor kayak storage....

Easy to store and retrieve? Near the water? Out of the way? Stores a paddle?  Check, check, check and check.  The Kayak Dock Rack conveniently attaches to docks of any material; wood, aluminum or composite decking. It hangs your kayak over the water (keeping the dock clear!) and raises and lowers your kayak by way of an ingenious, patented lifting arm.  

Best yet, the Kayak Dock Rack comes in 2 design styles.  The first style allows you to raise and lower the kayak while still on the dock and is ideal for entering your craft from the dock.  The second style is raised and lowered from the water, which is perfect for those of you with only a couple feet of water around the dock. Visit the listing for more details on these differences.

Sure it's self-serving to send you directly to one of our bestsellers, but if you're on this page it's probably because you're looking for just this contraption.  It's versatile, universal and priced right.  So if you're looking for the best-all-around kayak dock rack; the one that fits the bill in nearly all instances, halt right here and go buy the darn thing!

Bike Vehicle Racks: An Attempt to Simplify

Late last night I made the fateful decision to leap into the twisted web of vehicle bike racks. It proved counter-productive, as I spent nearly an hour drawing up charts, jotting notes and generally accomplishing very little. With a blank screen to show for my efforts I retired to bed, got a decent night's sleep and woke up this morning groggy, but with a renewed sense of commitment to the topic at hand.

Somewhere in the middle of the night my subconscious made the decision to really distill this category down to the basic "need-to-knows". What that means is I can't tell you the "single best bike rack for your riding and/or traveling style, plus your vehicle type".  But I can unwind the basics, show you where you want to look and then unleash you on a solid set of 3-5 racks that will all work for you.

The very first thing to know about vehicle bike racks are the various categories:

Trailer Hitch Racks: These racks fit into the receiver of a vehicle's trailer hitch, so work with many vehicle types; trucks, SUV's, all types of cars. Your Porsche is unlikely to have a trailer hitch, but your Corolla may. By "hitch receiver" I mean this (as found beneath your vehicle's rear bumper):

Okay, so these "hitch receivers" typically come sized at 2" or 1.25". It's important to know which your vehicle has, as some racks fit only one size. Thankfully many fit both, but be sure to double check.

Pros: Easily accessible, no overhead lifting, storage for up to 4 bikes, works with existing trailer hitch.

• Tray style - very secure, often come with locks and features like "tilt-away" to allow trunk access, many fit fat tires
• Mast style - budget friendly option, fits all wheel sizes/widths since attachment is via the bike's frame

Cons: Requires use of hitch (can't pull boat or trailer).

• Tray style - relatively expensive
• Mast style - cheaper versions need to be removed for trunk access, less attachment points so bikes may contact one another

Our Recommendation: 

For overall best in security and features go with the 4 Bike Tray Style Car Rack.

For most affordable while still getting the job done choose the Heavy Duty Car Hitch Rack.

Moving on...

Roof Racks: Here's where a number of people give up. It can be really confusing trying to figure out which roof rack you want, and even more confusing figuring out which roof rack you're required to have.  The reason why; bike racks designed for use on a roof require that some sort of rail system already be in place since the bike rack attaches to these rails.  Many SUV's come from the dealer with a rail system; many cars do not. 

So the first step is figuring out your rail system. If you don't have a clue what company manufactures the rail system (most typical) I strongly recommend focusing on roof racks that are dubbed "universal".  These racks are purpose designed to fit what's out there.

On the other hand, if you have a Thule rail system, a Thule bike rack will be your best bet.

If you don't have a rail system you're probably better off looking at one of the other styles of bike rack rather than plunking down the cash for a rail system and a bike rack.

Finally, if you have a Porsche we recommend simply riding your bike instead.

Pros: Works with vehicle's existing roof rail system, holds bikes very secure, mid-range affordability if rail system is already in place

Cons: Requires overhead lifting, requires additional expense for each bike added, requires purchase of a rail system if not already in place, requires remembering the bikes are up there - don't pull into the garage!

Our Recommendation: For the best all-around roof rack, go with a universal rack like our Universal Rooftop, Single Bike Carrier.

Trudging along...

Trunk or Hatchback Racks: This could really be 2 categories, but I'll treat it as one because the concept is the same. This is a rack that fits against your trunk or hatchback and secures to that trunk or hatchback with some sort of strapping system (usually a 4-pt system). This is the style you're most likely to see gathering cobwebs in the back corner of your neighbor's garage.

These are the most universal of racks (there's that word again), because the strapping systems are adjustable. They fit many cars and SUV's, but do not work with pickup trucks.  That said, some are designed for hatchbacks, some are designed for car trunks and some will fit either. So definitely double check the specs on any given rack before purchasing.

Pros: Most universal, most affordable, easy access (no overhead lifting), carries up to 4 bikes, allows for trunk/hatchback opening without removal

Cons: Cheaper version may allow for bike swaying/movement, difficult to lift/open trunk with bikes mounted

Our Recommendation:

For best affordability choose the Universal Bike Trunk Rack.

For a rack that will carry more valuable bikes more frequently choose the 2 Bike Tray Style Carrier.

Carrying on...

Specialty Racks: A few subcategories here.

Spare Tire Racks: If you have a spare tire on the back of your vehicle (Jeep Wrangler, Honda CRV, etc) this is the rack for you. The various designs hang off the spare tire and typically attach with a strapping system. Pretty straight forward.

Try the: Thule Spare Me

RV Racks: For RVs we always recommend a rack that specifically says it's for RV use. Why? An RV's chassis is very rigid, which can mean a lot of bumping and jostling. An RV rack is designed with this in mind whereas other racks may fail.

Try the: RV and Camper Bumper Bike Rack

Pickup Truck Bed Racks: If you simply want to put your bikes in the bed of a pickup, but prefer they stand up in an organized manner, this is the rack for you. 

Try the: Truck Bed Locking Bike Fork Mount

Pros: Probably work best if you'll only use the rack with your one specialty vehicle

Cons: Specific use application

Okay, so where does that leave you?

Now you understand the different styles, but you're no closer to knowing which rack to choose because your Corolla (for example) has both a trailer hitch receiver and a roof and a trunk! Zounds!

You have some decisions to make, but this can be done logically. 

The best place to start is by asking (1) how far and how often will you be transporting your bike(s)?, and (2) how valuable are your bikes to you? and (3) does your bike have any unique features that may limit options?  For example, fat tire bikes may not fit into the wheel troughs of all racks.

(1) If you'll be using your rack frequently or for any long distance travel we recommend  a rack that secures your bike very firmly. This means attachment straps for both wheels, which can be found with either a roof rack or trailer hitch rack that is platform based.

(2) If your bikes aren't of great value (maybe kids' Walmart rides) you're probably fine getting away with a cheaper, universal trunk/hatchback system that keeps the bikes on the car but doesn't do much else.

(3) Keep those unique features in mind when reading specs or contact us to request your best option.

You get what you pay for....

This is true with a lot of products, and definitely true here. You might ask, "well why is this trailer hitch rack priced at $100 and that one that looks the same is priced at $250?"

Again, definitely read the specs (or the bullet points on our site!) because higher prices mean more features that are typically well thought out and of great convenience.  Case in point with the trailer hitch rack.  

• The cheaper rack will do it's job and is probably fine for hauling kids' bikes to grandma's house twice a year.  But it may allow the bikes to sway a little (possibly chipping paint), and it probably needs to be removed from the vehicle to access the trunk.
• The more expensive rack will have more attachment points to prevent movement of the bikes and will come with features like a pivot system that allows you to lower the rack's mast to open the trunk (so no need to remove the rack).  It will also come with locks to prevent both bike theft and rack theft. So it's probably worth the money if you're using it every weekend.

To sum things up...

• (1) Decide which types of racks will work with your vehicle.
• (2) Consider the pros and cons of the rack types that will work.
• (3) Select the rack type that you've determined is best
• (4) Choose rack of that type based on the factors unique to you
• Distance traveled
• Frequency of use
• Number of bikes to transport
• Value of bikes
• Budget
• Unique bike features