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By the way, the rack tilts back, out of the way, so that I can easily open the back hatch.
Steps:
1. Buy the racks
2. Assemble the snowboard/ski rack (it comes partially assembled). No additional tools are needed as it comes with an allen wrench.
2a. The instructions list all the parts that come with it, however, it's somewhat ambiguous as to which bolts and washers are which (they don't give the sizes/lengths). You have to dry-fit them to make sure you are using the proper ones.
3. Do not tighten these bolts until all the cross pieces are installed and checked for proper fit.
4. Assemble the bike rack (it comes partially assembled). You'll need a socket wrench with 13mm( 1/2"), 14mm (9/16"), and 19mm (3/4") sockets. You'll also need an adjustable wrench (6" or larger).
4b. As with the snowboard/ski rack instructions, they list all the parts that come with it, however, it's somewhat ambiguous as to which bolts and washers are which (they don't give the sizes/lengths). You have to dry-fit them to make sure you are using the proper ones.
By the way, the hitch used is this one, ordered with decent discount at AutoAnything.com. I easily installed the hitch myself. See how I did it here.
So, I took my new rig out for a weekend of snowboarding. It held up really well, from winding mountain roads to open freeways at 80 mph (129 kph).
My only complaint is when the sun had set and I'm on that winding mountain road, I had many approaching cars flash their high beams at me. Evidently, I don't have auto-leveling headlamps, so the weight of a couple of suitcases, cooler of beer, and the snowboards & rack tended to elevate my headlamps onto oncoming traffic.
Awesome, I was looking at the same set up from Thule. Will the setup be able to fit 2 snowboards on each side with the board side facing each other and the binding side away from each other so it can carry 4 boards in total?
Awesome, I was looking at the same set up from Thule. Will the setup be able to fit 2 snowboards on each side with the board side facing each other and the binding side away from each other so it can carry 4 boards in total?
Yes, the rack I have will hold up to four snowboards (or six pairs of skis) since it's on a 2" receiver hitch. If it's going on a 1-1/4" hitch, the max snowboards is two (or four pairs of skis).
If that is the type without a hitch bolt, what keeps it from eventually falling out (or being stolen)?
it has little protrusions to hold it in place with friction. So yeah, someone could steal it. It's in pretty well, so you'd have to spend a few seconds to yank it out.