PSA - check your roof racks

[~mikey b]

my setup was looking wonky the other day

I run Thule towers and bars with an old Yakima box and random basket

I discovered that one of my four mounting towers had come loose and the whole thing was dodgy

never had a problem on any vehicle in 30 years until today

just keep an eye on your stuff

[XXX-er]

I ran roof racks year round for kayaks & skiing, IME if i didnt take them apart and put anti-seize on the threaded hardware the bars became permanently mounted to the car after a few seasons of neglect

[AKPogue]

Yeah I didn't check my roof rack for a couple of years and when I went to sell the car I had to use a hacksaw to get it off.

[~mikey b]

my first car

1970 Toyota Corona

still has the same surf racks on it I put on in 1987

my buddy still drives it

it’s got like 600k on it

best car ever

[westoxified]

my first car

1970 Toyota Corona

still has the same surf racks on it I put on in 1987

so it’s a long hauler?

[~mikey b]

yeah

best car ever

[romeo tango]

....I didn't check my roof rack for a couple of years ....

.
damn dude!

i check mine weekly
a habit i picked up living in seward
.

[k2skier112]

On and off every year, it gets inspected twice a year

[goCougs]

my first car

1970 Toyota Corona

still has the same surf racks on it I put on in 1987

my buddy still drives it

it’s got like 600k on it

best car ever

That is an epic car

[steviewonder]

Few years back driving over the Driscoll bridge in NJ.. suv directly in front of me has two road bikes on a roof rack. In slow motion see the two front wheels lift up. Then entire rack just lifts into air - we’re doing about 75. Swerve out of the way and see both bikes + rack smash into highway and bounce into pieces. Bike parts everywhere. It’s shocking no one was seriously hurt. So yes, please check your roof racks.

[old goat]

Pro tip--when you get done tightening your roof rack, don't leave your tools on the roof.

[jonesy]

Pro tip--when you get done tightening your roof rack, don't leave your tools on the roof.

Thank you for sharing your experience so everyone can benefit.

[detrusor]

I’ve “cough” never done that….


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[plugboots]

Pro tip--when you get done tightening your roof rack, don't leave your tools on the roof.

That sound…as you drive away.

[sillybunt2]

Also check the roof for your sunglasses or six pack before driving away!

[Benny Profane]

And put the key to your roof box on your car key ring. We watched a youngster in a stupid loud WRX drive out of the Kmart parking lot last year with his box wide open. Everybody is waving at him, and stoner dude was waving back.

[Gerome]

Also, don't skimp and use a $20 used rack for a $2k bike. Watching my bike fly off the roof at 75mph, land on its wheels, front flip, then land back on its wheels, lean left into the fast lane, then lean right and drift over 4 lanes and run into a cyclone fence wasn't pleasant. I'm glad I own an aluminum Santa Cruz Nomad. I retrieved the bike with no damage at all. I bought a new bike rack the next day.

[jonesy]

And put the key to your roof box on your car key ring. We watched a youngster in a stupid loud WRX drive out of the Kmart parking lot last year with his box wide open. Everybody is waving at him, and stoner dude was waving back.

OR any finger of your choice.

[BCMtnHound]

yeah

best car ever

I almost cried when my father hit a deer with his 7th gen corona. That car cruised Hwy3 between the coast and the Kootenays so well. Almost bought the salvage title, but tuition quashed that lark. Amazing (but not so surprising) yours is still on the road.

[EWG]

Some PTSD in this thread for sure.

Pro tip--when you get done tightening your roof rack, don't leave your tools on the roof.

Yep. Sucks.

Also check the roof for your sunglasses or six pack before driving away!

God, I miss those white sunglasses. Somewhere near Goshen, VA.

Also, don't skimp and use a $20 used rack for a $2k bike. Watching my bike fly off the roof at 75mph, land on its wheels, front flip, then land back on its wheels, lean left into the fast lane, then lean right and drift over 4 lanes and run into a cyclone fence wasn't pleasant. I'm glad I own an aluminum Santa Cruz Nomad. I retrieved the bike with no damage at all. I bought a new bike rack the next day.

Loud thump. I look up to the rear view mirror and the front wheel to one of the mtn bikes is bouncing down the highway behind us. Made it pretty far actually. We were able to retrieve so no harm done.

Ok, then let's add:

Don't drive into a building with a bike on a rack. What's worse is that I was involved in the design and construction of the overhang I hit.

Make sure the bike is tight on the rack. My lovely wife and her brother didn't fully tighten a bike and it flips over sideways, hung only by the wheel strap, smashing into the car and hanging half off at 60 mph. Left some nice dents in a nice car.

Don't drive through a ditch with a hitch mount bike rack. Ground most of a plastic tightening bolt off that way...

Don't leave wheels on the ground behind the car. Buddy drove completely over his wheel with his Jetta's rear tire. Impressive to watch it happen real time.


Lots of options for destruction!

[detrusor]

I almost cried when my father hit a dear with his 7th gen corona. That car cruised Hwy3 between the coast and the Kootenays so well. Almost bought the salvage title, but tuition quashed that lark. Amazing (but not so surprising) yours is still on the road.

Was a dear grandma? Tragic


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[grskier]

I’ve “cough” never done that….


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Not once have I done that. Or left a gloves on top when I was loading skis.

[Telemahn]

Also, don't skimp and use a $20 used rack for a $2k bike. Watching my bike fly off the roof at 75mph, land on its wheels, front flip, then land back on its wheels, lean left into the fast lane, then lean right and drift over 4 lanes and run into a cyclone fence wasn't pleasant. I'm glad I own an aluminum Santa Cruz Nomad. I retrieved the bike with no damage at all. I bought a new bike rack the next day.

My $4,500 Cervelo did not fair as well when the rusty original bolt from my 30 year old Yakima fork block decided to retire itself on I-5.

[old goat]

The only thing I have left personally on the roof and lost was a climbing rope. Probably other stuff as well but I've forgotten. Friend of mine left his passport, credit cards, ID, money on the roof of his rental car in Italy. We ran into him in Rome as he was waiting to get a temp passport.
I've backed over my ski poles several times. I've learned that skis and poles always go on the driver's side while I change out of my ski boots.

[Jax]

Passed a guy this summer whose bike was dragging from behind his car. He didn't check all the straps on his hitch mount I'm guessing, but at least one point of contact was still working while the rest of the bike was dragged like a villain in a western movie. Dude was happily driving along at 55, no clue as we all honked and waved when he passed. It was at least 4 miles from any trailhead at that point.