Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Ski AND Bike? Hitch Racks Do Double-Duty
Are you a biker and a skier or snowboarder? If so, you'll want to think through your rack options to maximize versatility, convenience, and affordability.
 A roof base rack will, of course, accommodate both bike and ski racks, but you might want to consider a combination hitch bike rack/ski rack for a number of reasons. If you already have a hitch bike rack and you ski or snowboard, buying a ski rack attachment may be a no-brainer. Softride, Thule, and Yakima all offer ski attachments for most of their hitch bike racks that carry up to 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards (or combinations thereof).
The beauty of a hitch rack is the easy waist-level access to your gear (spoken by someone who just injured a rotator cuff by lifting a bike onto a roof rack!). Hitch racks are affordable and easy to use; they simply slide into your factory or aftermarket trailer hitch. Tilt-down or swing-away rack styles allow access to the rear hatch of your vehicle. Most offer the double security of both hitch locks and gear locks. Wind resistance is minimal — a plus for your gas mileage.
If you already have a hitch on your vehicle, it's likely to be a 1.25" or 2" receiver. Most hitch racks are available for both sizes and some offer a "universal fit." Make a point of checking your vehicle's maximum tongue weight capacity (available in your owner's guide or from the manufacturer). Some smaller vehicles are not suitable for hitch racks.
At FastTrackRacks.com, we offer ski rack attachments for Softride, Thule, and Yakima bike racks. Be sure to check out the excellent offers from Softride for bike rack/ski rack packages or discounts on a Softride ski rack if you already own of Softride bike rack.
Never hesitate to call or e-mail our rack specialists to talk through your options!
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