So, after never having a roof bike rack for many years, we put one on. We forgot the first time going into the garage.
*crunch*
Yakima Front Loader = Destroyed
Rear Factory Crossbar = Bent
Car = 1/2" Dent, rear right roof
Bike = A-OK
I ordered a new front loader. I called the nearest dealer who said they don't sell the crossbar, I had to purchase the entire side rail + crossbar as a unit for a stupid amount of money. I was hoping for a cheap fix. We don't mind the factory bars that much, but since we'll mount anything from a huge ski box to 4 Kayaks to 2 DH bikes, it wouldn't hurt to have a stronger rail. For a huge price tag, a Yakima rail system is hardly more expensive.
However, the garage is LOW so that our current ski box just barely fits with <1" to spare. This rules out simply buying rail grabbers as a solution.
So, is there a cheap way to just get the rotating crossbar?
Or is there a way to pull both rail/crossbar assemblies and direct mount Whispbars? (Preferably a way that doesn't involve clamps the extend into that door frame?)