The 3 Best Car Racks of Summer 2012
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Yakima Whispbar Roof Rack
Yakima’s all-new blade-slim crossbars reduce drag between 40 and 70 percent over traditional round bars. More impressive is how quiet they are, even at 65 miles per hour. Pro: compatible with nearly 75 percent of Yakima’s current attachments. Con: costs roughly 20 percent more than classic bars.
Thule Apex Swing bike rack
Like Yakima, Thule also introduced a more aerodynamic roof-bar design this year, called Aeroblade. But we were just as excited by the Apex Swing, the sturdiest, easiest-to-use swing-away hitch-mount bike rack we’ve ever tested. Smart: one integrated lock joins the trailer to your car; the other secures your bikes.
Sylvan Sport Go Trailer-Camper
Trust us: it’s worth the price. Extremely well made, this 840-pound trailer swallows up all your weekend toys (it includes a weathertight gear box) and is compatible with Yakima and Thule racks. Pop the ABS plastic top and it morphs into a base of operations. It comes with two sleeping pads, and an optional panel lets you fit four in minutes.
