Answered are some of the more common questions asked of our rack technicians. If you can not find what you are looking for here we recommend you either: send a customer support request, ask a rack technician, or use one of our automated online fit guides for help.
What are my rack options for my vehicle?
Your vehicle rack options are completely dependant on what type of vehicle you have. The best means of weighing out your rack options
is to utilize one of our automated online fit guides.
These fit guides will take all of the information about your vehicle year, make, and model and provide you with all of the options you have
available to you.
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Do I have to drill holes in my roof?
The days of drilling holes in the roof to mount a rack are over! Today's multi-sport systems clamp to the roof without the
need for drilling, welding, or permanently installing anything to your car. They are, for the most part, easy to install and
remove, and they are designed to protect your vehicle's finish.
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My vehicle doesn't have rain gutters; can I still put a roof rack on it?
Absolutely! Since the mid-eighties, vehicle manufacturers have been putting the rain gutters inside the door frame to give their
vehicles a cleaner, sleeker look. The rain gutters are still there, it's just that they are internal. Today's racks mount by
resting on the roof on a rubber pad and clamp on to the internal rain gutter with a clip that is specifically designed for each
vehicle. They are very secure, yet easy to attach and detach, and wont scratch your paint.
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How can I carry my gear on my factory rack?
There are many options available for factory racks. The best of which is to add an aftermarket rack that will clamp directly
on to your raised factory rails, turning that factory rack in to a multi-sport ready system typically with a higher weight
capacity. In some cases, you can purchase adaptor clips to carry bikes, skis/snowboards, or kayak cradles.
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What if I change vehicles?
Base rack systems are now designed to be as diverse as possible, having said that they it is likely that a rack system
will not directly transfer from one vehicle to another. In most cases, you will be able to transfer over your crossbars, towers,
and accessories and only need to purchase a new fit kit or q clip. In the case of a vehicle with a factory rack, you will need to
have a rack already designed to mount to the factory system. The best way to compare the difference from vehicle to vehicle is to
use our automated online rack fit guides.
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Can I put a hitch on my car?
Trailer hitches and receiver-style hitches are more and more often proving to be a very popular option. Today's hitches require
no welding, and most require no drilling. Rack Attack sells and installs hitches for just about every make and model out there,
from Porches to EconOnline Vans. We have hitches available from Hidden Hitch, Draw Tite, Reese, Da'Lan, and Valley. A hitch can
give you the option of using a hitch mounted bike rack or ski/snowboard carrier, keeping everything away from your vehicles
painted surfaces, and allows your roof rack (if you have one) to be used for luggage or other long or bulky items.
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Can I take the hitch I have now and put it on another vehicle?
Nope. Unless you have incredible luck, or you buy the same vehicle, you will most likely have to buy a new hitch. Hitches are
customized to fit particular vehicles so they are in most cases, better left with the vehicle.
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Can I get replacement parts for my rack?
Absolutely! Rack Attack has a large selection of replacement parts already available online. Anything that we don't have in stock
we can definitely bring in. Have a look at the detailed page for your particular rack item and see if there is a spare parts link.
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Can I go through a car wash with my rack on my car?
No! When you wash your car you should remove the rack because:
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Now that I have a rack, how does underground parking affect me?
One of the most terrifying moments for any rack owner comes when they are brutally reminded about the gear they have on top of
their vehicle by driving through a passage that is too low. We recommend taking a measurement of your vehicle height when
your gear is fully loaded, and tie a string around your finger so you won't forget! (Hey, it happens to the best of us...)
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What options have you got to carry bikes on my convertible?
The best option for a convertible is usually a hitch mount bike rack. This option will also let you carry skis or snowboards with the
proper rack adaptor.
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