> > Date:    Tue, 14 Aug 2007 20:28:41 -0800
> > From:    Kevin Turinsky <kjturinsky@MAC.COM>
> > Subject: Seeking Yakima Rack Advice
> >
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I'm ready to put a Yakima rack on top of the Syncro Westie.
> If any of
> > you have any tips and/or advice, please send 'em/it my way. I don't
> > want to screw this operation up. Are there better spots and worse
> > spots on the sides of the pop-top to mount the Yakima brackets? How
> > high should I mount the brackets? Mount 'em low to minimize
> the space
> > underneath the rack's cross bars, or maximize it? Any special
> > considerations when drilling through the fiberglass? Any unexpected
> > surprises I should watch out for?
> >
> > FWIW, I'm planning to carry at times, not all at once of
> course, a few
> > single bicycles, one tandem, a Yakima Space Case, several pair of
> > skis, a couple kick sleds, lumber, a few sheets of plywood,
> a couple
> > kayaks, maybe a canoe...the usual stuff.
> >
> > Anyway, I'm considering putting 4 Yakima rack bracket
> mounts on each
> > side of the pop-top. I'm aiming to mount two in the rear
> recessed area
> > and two in the forward recessed area of each side of the top.
> > I'm trying to figure out which is better: Yakima's 8B Side Loader
> > "Kwik Rails", or Yakima's WideBody Brackets. Reading the
> Yakima FAQ,
> > they say that the WideBody Brackets, "extends outward more to give
> > added clearance for square sided shells..." I guess this one is the
> > best choice. If you think otherwise, please let me know.

I used the old *Bronco* brackets--maybe the same as the rack bracket mounts.
The major consideration, I think, is whether or not you'll want to pop the
top.  If so, mount the racks as far back as you can.  I made the mistake of
mounting mine pretty much centered over the side door and with the rack and
a bike up I'm always afraid I'm going to do bad things to myself trying to
get the top popped.  If you're going to put a Space Case on top, my guess is
you can forget about popping the top.

I have very little clearance between the top and the stock Yakima cross
bars, and I've never had a problem even with bikes and skis up.  A Space
Case and bikes?  I don't know.

Bob Trousdale
'90 Westy

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