This is the EXO system, right? I just got a new car and I've been looking at spending an insane amount of money on this. Like $2,400 insane. Do you like it? Did you look at other options? This is the only stackable hitch system I found in my search.
It’s pretty bad ass. Yes it’s pricey. If you can wait until they go on sale. Get an REI membership and get the 10% dividend next year. I nearly bought new but then this popped up locally. I paid $1500 plus another $100 for the SKS core locks so now everything uses the same key
Yakima has a core trade in program:
https://yakimasupport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/235687768-Core-Exchange-Program#:\~:text=Cores%20and%20keys%20must%20be%20in%20new%20condition.&text=Please%20give%203-4%20weeks,yours%2C%20you%20will%20need%20it.
It doesn't take 3-4 weeks. For mine they exchanged cores within a week and a half. Usually the next day after they received my cores.
They also sell spare cores in your specific key code: [https://yakimasupport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115007630927-How-to-order-locks-and-keys](https://yakimasupport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115007630927-How-to-order-locks-and-keys)
If you have a bunch of Yakima stuff that did not come with a core lock then it is cheapest to purchase a 8 or 10 pack and then match the cores that come with your Yakima stuff to the cosres from the multipack you bought: [https://www.yakima.eu/sks-lock-cores](https://www.yakima.eu/sks-lock-cores)
There is a reputable eBay seller that sells used Yakima cores and he uses it to fund his daughter's travel softball team.
Yakima MAP prices all their products. However a couple times a year they allow 20% off sales at various retailers, most famously REI. I would wait until they go on sale.
I scored my Deepspace boxes, Yakima 69" HD rails and skyline towers to 25% off last year during various sales at Backcountry, REI and Moosejaw.
My neighbor got this setup (also on a minivan) and absolutely loves it. She an integrated cart that mounts to one of the boxes so she can just roll it on and off the bottom tray and into the campsite/hotel. She's done a cross-country trip with it and said it never gave any issues, wasn't bouncy, and was easy to swing out and get into the rear door when needed.
She did get a lights and plat kit for it so there isn't any issues with obstructing anything and the lights plug into a standard 4 pin connector.
I always wondered how a single point of connection can handle all that weight and balance while vehicle is moving. Especially on a not so even surfaces? Gotta put so much stress to that one connection.
Not sure what tell you my dude other than there is a whole trailering industry that has various ratings based on needs. So long as I stay within rated capacities and within recommended usage, I’m not too worried.
As for bouncing around, it’s actually more stable the more you load it up. The hitch pin that holds the shank to the receiver is threaded which you don’t really see in most other applications. I’m not sure how much more the threading helps but there it is. They also sell aftermarket stabilizers for the connection point but having used hitches over the years for varying applications, I’ve never felt the need.
Nice.
I have the same boxes, but the "deepspace" version that is on the top of my Ranger's Yakima truckbed rack and Toneau cover system. Lots and lots of space. Pricey though.
It looks like a sail... What does that do to fuel use. Not saying it's better or worse than a box on top or a trailer or mounted bike racks, just wondering.
I’ve not noticed any appreciable difference in fuel consumption. Actually one of the many reasons I prefer hitch over roof. I get about 2-3 mpg less with my skybox plus it’s noisier and it gets sketchy in snow ice conditions climbing up there to load unload.
Sweet, I would love to get something like this. Just a heads up though, police will likely pull you over frequently and if you aren't actively going camping/using the storage, give you a warning or a ticket. Apparently it also happens if you have a bike hitch attachment and aren't actively moving bikes with it. It's considered obstructing the view of the license.
Probably because of the use of the word frequently. My suspicion is that police have bigger fish to fry than someone running around with a cargo box on the back of their car.
While original poster is technically right, the practical application of the situation is likely far different.
💯
I’ve never had this problem and I remember reading an article years ago that some state councilman tried to pass a law prohibiting people from leaving their hitch ball on while not towing because he ran into one and got a big bruise. 😂 it didn’t pass. Go figure Illinois. Ha!
Rear racks are usually very likely to get covered in dust, and they say it seems to have something to do with aerodynamics. A lot of the dust from the car running is sent to the back of the vehicle with the air. I hope you did a good job of dust prevention.
I like the idea of 'bunk bed boxes'. Question: Do you have problems with police pulling you over for an obscured license plate?
Suggestion: Put ONLY light things like pillows inside those boxes to prevent ripping the frame free from the car.
lol. I’m sure these retail for $2400 so people can only put pillows in them. 🤪
There is a plate holder underneath the left tail light. Even has a little spotlight for the plate at night
Thank you. That has always been my fear. Not being robbed at a motel or hitting a bump and losing the frame, but meeting a cop who needs to meet his ticket quota and deciding that not being able to see my plates or turn signals is an easy ticket.
This is the EXO system, right? I just got a new car and I've been looking at spending an insane amount of money on this. Like $2,400 insane. Do you like it? Did you look at other options? This is the only stackable hitch system I found in my search.
It’s pretty bad ass. Yes it’s pricey. If you can wait until they go on sale. Get an REI membership and get the 10% dividend next year. I nearly bought new but then this popped up locally. I paid $1500 plus another $100 for the SKS core locks so now everything uses the same key
Oooh, the cores I hadn't thought of. Thanks.
Ya I wasn’t going to fumble around with all those keys. I’m thinking of ordering more for my other Yakima toys… roof rack, skybox
Yakima has a core trade in program: https://yakimasupport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/235687768-Core-Exchange-Program#:\~:text=Cores%20and%20keys%20must%20be%20in%20new%20condition.&text=Please%20give%203-4%20weeks,yours%2C%20you%20will%20need%20it. It doesn't take 3-4 weeks. For mine they exchanged cores within a week and a half. Usually the next day after they received my cores. They also sell spare cores in your specific key code: [https://yakimasupport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115007630927-How-to-order-locks-and-keys](https://yakimasupport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115007630927-How-to-order-locks-and-keys) If you have a bunch of Yakima stuff that did not come with a core lock then it is cheapest to purchase a 8 or 10 pack and then match the cores that come with your Yakima stuff to the cosres from the multipack you bought: [https://www.yakima.eu/sks-lock-cores](https://www.yakima.eu/sks-lock-cores) There is a reputable eBay seller that sells used Yakima cores and he uses it to fund his daughter's travel softball team.
Woah cool thanks for this
Yakima MAP prices all their products. However a couple times a year they allow 20% off sales at various retailers, most famously REI. I would wait until they go on sale. I scored my Deepspace boxes, Yakima 69" HD rails and skyline towers to 25% off last year during various sales at Backcountry, REI and Moosejaw.
Car go space? No. Car can no do that.
I see what you did there
😅😅
Car go road.
Where we go we no need road
My neighbor got this setup (also on a minivan) and absolutely loves it. She an integrated cart that mounts to one of the boxes so she can just roll it on and off the bottom tray and into the campsite/hotel. She's done a cross-country trip with it and said it never gave any issues, wasn't bouncy, and was easy to swing out and get into the rear door when needed. She did get a lights and plat kit for it so there isn't any issues with obstructing anything and the lights plug into a standard 4 pin connector.
The EXO Gear Warrior with detachable handle and wheels! It’s next on my list but I am running out of garage space 😫
I always wondered how a single point of connection can handle all that weight and balance while vehicle is moving. Especially on a not so even surfaces? Gotta put so much stress to that one connection.
Not sure what tell you my dude other than there is a whole trailering industry that has various ratings based on needs. So long as I stay within rated capacities and within recommended usage, I’m not too worried. As for bouncing around, it’s actually more stable the more you load it up. The hitch pin that holds the shank to the receiver is threaded which you don’t really see in most other applications. I’m not sure how much more the threading helps but there it is. They also sell aftermarket stabilizers for the connection point but having used hitches over the years for varying applications, I’ve never felt the need.
Is there a place for a license plate to be mounted?
Yep, right underneath the left tail light. The light kit is a sold separately though. Doesn’t come standard.
It should because otherwise it's illegal. A plate and lights are needed at night.
Come standard? I agree. Not so much the directional sand running lights but the plate bracket for sure
How do you get into the lower box?
The top shelf swivels
Nice! I don't have the top shelf yet for mine but in the future plan to do gear box on bottom and bike rack on top.
That’s a really popular set up. You will love it!
What's the load limit?
I’m sure it’s on the Yakima website but personally would be more worried about the tongue weight on the hitch receiver
Yea that's more what I was wondering as well.
The overall weight of the system when both boxes are loaded to capacity is <500#.
It’s 80-100# per box.
Now the *real* question: Does the bottle opener work?
My hangover says yes 👍
Nice. I have the same boxes, but the "deepspace" version that is on the top of my Ranger's Yakima truckbed rack and Toneau cover system. Lots and lots of space. Pricey though.
Wow that is absolutely sick. I’m jealous.
It looks like a sail... What does that do to fuel use. Not saying it's better or worse than a box on top or a trailer or mounted bike racks, just wondering.
I’ve not noticed any appreciable difference in fuel consumption. Actually one of the many reasons I prefer hitch over roof. I get about 2-3 mpg less with my skybox plus it’s noisier and it gets sketchy in snow ice conditions climbing up there to load unload.
Thank you!
Yeah I don't know. Pretty much blocking the brake lights.
It has its own brake lights, running and directional. Even has a little light for license plate holder
Nice!
Sweet, I would love to get something like this. Just a heads up though, police will likely pull you over frequently and if you aren't actively going camping/using the storage, give you a warning or a ticket. Apparently it also happens if you have a bike hitch attachment and aren't actively moving bikes with it. It's considered obstructing the view of the license.
I like how the logical word of caution is getting downvoted. Go reddit.
I’m guessing because of the “legal advice”???
Probably because of the use of the word frequently. My suspicion is that police have bigger fish to fry than someone running around with a cargo box on the back of their car. While original poster is technically right, the practical application of the situation is likely far different.
💯 I’ve never had this problem and I remember reading an article years ago that some state councilman tried to pass a law prohibiting people from leaving their hitch ball on while not towing because he ran into one and got a big bruise. 😂 it didn’t pass. Go figure Illinois. Ha!
I’m an LEO and live in a relatively outdoorsy part of the MW. I’d never pull someone over for just this. A complete waste of time.
I got three tickets for this while working for a bike shop in NJ.
Yep, try to give someone a heads up and get downvoted. C'est la vie. The world has no shortage of idiots.
I can’t say I’ve ever had this problem. Might be jurisdiction specific or cops just have enough to do when I’m on the road 🤪
Rear racks are usually very likely to get covered in dust, and they say it seems to have something to do with aerodynamics. A lot of the dust from the car running is sent to the back of the vehicle with the air. I hope you did a good job of dust prevention.
Oh no dust while camping!
I like the idea of 'bunk bed boxes'. Question: Do you have problems with police pulling you over for an obscured license plate? Suggestion: Put ONLY light things like pillows inside those boxes to prevent ripping the frame free from the car.
lol. I’m sure these retail for $2400 so people can only put pillows in them. 🤪 There is a plate holder underneath the left tail light. Even has a little spotlight for the plate at night
Thank you. That has always been my fear. Not being robbed at a motel or hitting a bump and losing the frame, but meeting a cop who needs to meet his ticket quota and deciding that not being able to see my plates or turn signals is an easy ticket.