Modular ski carrier swings away with skis loaded for cargo area access. Swap the ski carrier for a bike rack or cargo carrier without removing the base from your vehicle, or add a 2nd tier to carry 2 accessories (all sold separately).
Features:
Specs:
Notes:
This modular ski rack carries 5 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards. It also swings away, while fully loaded, for rear cargo area access. But the EXO system is more than just a swing away ski rack, it's the ultimate gear-carrying rig! You can easily swap the ski carrier for a bike rack or cargo carrier (sold separately) without removing the base unit from your vehicle. You can also add a second level to pair the ski rack with a cargo carrier to haul all your skiing gear, or swap accessories for a biking or camping adventure (all sold separately). Lastly, because you can carry so much gear on the back of your vehicle, it frees up space on your roof to carry even more gear.
The ski carrier holds 5 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards. It has DoubleJoint hinges that accommodate thick skis and snowboards.
The arms have sturdy yet flexible rubber grips. The rubber lines the top and bottom of the arms and protects your gear from being scratched or scuffed by the carrier.
Push buttons make the arms easy to open, even when wearing heavy winter gloves. Simply push the buttons and raise the arms to load your gear.
The hinged arm on the base lets you swing the unit away from your vehicle. This provides full access to your vehicle's rear cargo area and eliminates the need to remove your skis when you're unloading your vehicle or letting your dog hop in or out of the back.
To open the hinged arm, simply rotate the release knob counterclockwise until it's unscrewed from the arm, pull out on the spring pin, and swing the rack away from the rear of your vehicle. The arm will lock in place when it's fully extended, so your hands are free to open your hatch and remove cargo.
To close the base, just pull the release lever at the hinge and swing the extended arm back into position. Once you hear the spring pin lock into place, rotate the knob clockwise until it's tight.
To install the EXO system, simply slide the shank on the base unit into your 2" hitch receiver, insert the threaded hitch pin, and tighten it down with the included 24-mm wrench. The threaded hitch pin also reduces noise and movement in your hitch.
Dual arms on the base have tracks with cleats and SpeedKnobs that secure EXO accessories. To swap the ski carrier for a different accessory, undo the latches on the sides of the arms, rotate the SpeedKnobs to allow the cleats inside the tracks to free the carrier, and remove it. Next, put the new accessory in the tracks, rotate the SpeedKnobs so the cleats secure it, then close each latch.
This EXO system includes 5 SKS locks to secure the system, the carrier, and your skis. A lock secures the base to your vehicle's hitch receiver and locks in the arms secure the ski carrier. Finally, the ski carrier has 2 locks to secure your skis.
Because the EXO System is modular you can swap out the ski rack for a bike rack, cargo carrier, or accessory. You can also add a second tier and another accessory for whatever adventure you have planned. The various configurations are outlined below.
The DoubleUp 2-bike rack (Y24VR - sold separately) has ratcheting hooks that grab your bikes firmly by the front wheel - not the frame. It's perfect for carrying nearly any bike, including bikes with carbon frames, disc brakes, thru axles, or full suspensions.
The GearLocker enclosed cargo carrier (Y44VR - sold separately) has 10 cu ft of storage space for carrying helmets, clothes, and other gear. It keeps your gear secure, dry, and away from prying eyes. It also has built-in handles, so it's easy for you to tote all your gear to the campsite in a single trip. Collapsible totes with removable dividers (Y64VR - sold separately) keep your gear organized in the carrier.
If you want to carry coolers, luggage, and other larger, bulky gear, you can add the GearWarrior cargo carrier (Y37VR - sold separately). It has a weight capacity of 250 lbs. A wheel kit (Y97VR - sold separately) converts the GearWarrior into a wagon, so you can wheel your gear to the campsite.
To transform the system into a 2-tier carrier you will need the TopShelf (Y94VR - sold separately). It attaches to the base unit and holds 1 accessory. With the base rack swung away, you can swing the TopShelf back 180 degrees, with your accessories and gear still attached. This will provide unfettered access to your gear on the lower level.
For your skiing adventure you can pair the ski carrier with an enclosed cargo carrier or a cargo carrier to transport all your gear to the slopes.
For your biking adventure you can swap the ski rack for a bike rack and add an enclosed cargo carrier or a cargo carrier. On a 2-tier system the bike rack will need to be installed on the top tier to have room to mount your bikes. Using the bike rack on the top level reduces its weight capacity to 40 lbs per bike.
If you just want to carry gear, you can swap the ski rack for a cargo carrier and add a second carrier. You can outfit the system with an enclosed cargo carrier and a cargo carrier, 2 enclosed cargo carriers, or 2 cargo carriers.
Note: The cargo carrier has a weight capacity of 250 lbs when it's installed on the single-tier system. If you install it on a 2-tier system, it can carry 110 lbs on the bottom tier or 80 lbs on the top tier. Similarly, the enclosed cargo carrier's weight capacity changes based on where it's installed. When utilized on the bottom tier, either alone or in a two-tier system, its weight capacity is 100 lbs. Installed on the top tier, it's weight capacity is 80 lbs.
The BackDeck camping table (Y84VR - sold separately) is perfect for use at the campsite. It lets you prep meals, lay out your gear, and even mix drinks at the end of the day. Simply remove the top accessory and replace it with the table once you get to the campsite.
Alternate Instructions
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Hi, everyone it's Evangeline here at etrailer.com. And today we are looking at our Yakima EXO SwingBase system with the snowbank ski and snowboard carrier. Now, if you're interested in the EXO system which allows you to build up and out with different accessories but you've really into skiing or snowboarding this kit is a great way to start because you get the swing base with the ski and snowboard carrier and then you can build up from there. The maximum length of ski you can fit on this is 185 cm which is around a little bit over 72 inches. Also note how we clamped it down on the skis binding. So, just keep that in mind, in terms of your bindings.
If you notice here, I have prefix bindings on my ski so I wasn't able to load them up and down. You can see here even with the double joint hinge at the end I can't bring it to a close. So just keeping that in mind with your bindings. So my measurement here from the bottom of my skis it's half of my bindings it's an inch and three quarters. Now with this depend on where you are placing it for when you mount it so if you do find your bindings or those too thick you can still mount them side by side.
As for the crossbar spread, which is a business from one point to the others from center to center, we have 21 any half inches. Now for the dimensions of our snowbank here itself for length, from one end to right where that button is, it is 32 and a half inches. I do like how our skis and snowboards are mounted here because it's super quick and easy to just open that button and grab my skis for when I want it to go. But the downside of it in this position on our swing base is that it is lower to the ground. So that means as you are driving be mindful that there may be snow and possibly dirt kicked up towards your equipment.
At the end, you do have that big button. And one thing to note is that you can use this with your thick gloves. You just press that and it pops up and stays into place. It also has this ratcheting here at the bottom just to help you secure your skis of different heights. With a swing base kit, which is our base right over here, you have the option to swing this away.
And to do so, you have this knob right here at the end that you need to loosen. So just rotate that until it releases the base. Once that is loosened, you can then pull this lever and push out until it swings all the way out and locks into place at that end. When you have your whole crew with you, your whole family with you, having an option to swing it out is awesome because then someone can be taking off the skis while the others access the hatch and maybe grab all your bags, your coats, your gear all in one quick and easy process, without having to take your rack off. To swing it back you need to unlock this knob by just lifting it up. Hold on to the support handle as you ride it up that ramp, that lever pops into place and then you rotate that knob to tighten it down again. To install this kit, you first need to start with your swing base. So, once you have that installed into your hitch and tighten down, you then start by releasing these arms. So pull on that lever, start with the left arm and just push that out and it snaps into place. Then go over to the passenger's side arm, pull that lever, swing it out and it snaps into place. Make sure your tab is in the open position and just rotate your knob counter-clockwise to open up those tracks. Once your tracks are available make sure you have the carrier with the button facing out and just pop those in there. Just like that. And then tighten it down. When it fully tightened down, you can then pop this tab into there and that will lock it into place. Once you've done the same on the other side, you can then use the key to lock the knob and that will cause it to freeze spin once it's locked and then your whole system is complete. With your snowbank installed, let's throw some skis and snowboards in there. At the end you have a double joint. So not only does it swing upwards, but if you have six skis we have another joint to give you a little extra space to accommodate those larger snowboards for skis. On the inside, you have this nice, big rubber lining that will support your skis and snowboards and will be flexible enough to accommodate them as you lock them into place. Now it's the way it looks like loaded up. We have two sets of skis and two snowboards. It's really up to you with the size of skis and the size of bindings you have on your skis for what you can fit in here but you should be able to fit five pairs of skis or four pairs of snowboards. My final thoughts about this whole system is I love how the swing base allows me to swing this out and gives me plenty of space to work with to take off my skis, grab my gear. It's a nice, simple, easy process. I do highly recommend picking up the other accessories though just to make sure you use it to its full effect but it does have nice features like that hinge and that big button, as well as, the space to work with. So, if you are really into snow sports I think adding this to your repertoire is a pretty good idea..
Average Customer Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars (10 Customer Reviews)
Modular ski carrier swings away with skis loaded for cargo area access. Swap the ski carrier for a bike rack or cargo carrier without removing the base from your vehicle, or add a 2nd tier to carry 2 accessories (all sold separately).
Major flaw in the design. When using the box mounted on the bottom rack, You have to rotate the upper board/box rack 180° entirely in order to open the box… this isn’t super difficult but you actually have to swing the entire rack (upper & lower) out to the side to rotate the upper rack. This is extremely annoying if you just need to get something out of the box in a hurry. Additionally the turn knob/handle where you release the rack to swing out to the side, is right where your wheels throw all the mud, snow, dirt etc. so this makes for a messy event if you just simply want to get into box as stated earlier or in the back of an SUV after driving through any type of in-climate conditions. Another flaw was the clip rings should have been made with lanyard as we lost ours day one. Do your self a favor and by extra clips from the hardware store and keep in the box.
Aside from the flaws, the structural integrity is excellent, the mounting pin through the hitch is more than safe and secure, again a bit annoying if you want you remove the entire rack system quickly or even just after a trip. We ended up just leaving ours attached all winter due to the inconvenience. The box is made well, the rack holder’s are also made well. Quality of the product is high, just wish Yakima would have put a little more thought into the ease and accessibility of the rack in the way that THULE typically does. A simple 30° tilt up feature on the upper rack would have been perfect, additionally a 30° tilt down on the hitch mounting point for the entire rack to tilt would have given so much more ease to accessing the back of the vehicle.
We like the overall product and after spending so much money on it we have no choice but to keep it for years to come. Just might have to weld my own tilting brackets to ease the painful transitions.
all good. Your services are as good as before, very good. The Yakima EXO system is very good, high quality and easy to install. Greatly appreciated.
Great product, box is a little annoying since you always need the key to open it, however, overall the whole system is great.
If you are stuck with a trailer hitch rack only option as I was with my ‘06 Ford Camper Van this is the king and the queen of all trailer hitch racks.
You have two tiers so essentially two racks on one hitch and paired with a “dual hitch receiver adapter” you can still pull your snowmobile and other lighter weight trailers. Don’t over load it check your weight ratings.
You can have a good portion of your recreational life all connected to one hitch.
It is engineered appropriately with ease of use.
The one thing that is mildly annoying is when the container is in the bottom tier I cannot fully open the top. You can access a folding chair or two with out repositioning the rack but larger items involve a two process repositioning to fully open container door. I wish there was a easier and still secure way to move and position the top tier to access the bottom tier when the container is mounted there. ( maybe a upward folding top tier???)
If you had a ski rack in the bottom and container on the top that would work but when summer hits and the bike rack goes on it must be in the top tier and this moving the container to the bottom tier.
Also (amateur tip) if you get the “dual hitch receiver adapter” and you get the extra strong one it ends up being an inch or so taller and thus making the back door inaccessible for the most part. Standard mounting position (aka straight to the vehicle) or lighter rated weight dual receivers will allow the rear doors to be opened when swing away mode is initiated.
Considering this is the most expensive rear hitch rack combo you can buy paired with the last little bit I wrote on rear door access issues, is the only reason I gave this a 4 star rating. This rack was thought out with an in depth cutting edge detail in mind they covered so many new grounds of possibilities of a rear hitch rack.
Do you have a question about this Modular Hitch Rack?
Info for this part was:
At etrailer.com we provide the best information available about the products we sell. We take the quality of our information seriously so that you can get the right part the first time. Let us know if anything is missing or if you have any questions.
Thank you! Your comment has been submitted successfully. You should be able to view your question/comment here within a few days.
Error submitting comment. Please try again momentarily.