Fast forward four years and 55,000 miles. With a summer road trip on the horizon, we have discovered one crucial thing missing from our minivan.
I then purchased a 'universal fit' rack to put on top. Guess what? Apparently 'universal' does not apply to my minivan, as it didn't fit. Meanwhile, every single minivan on the road that passes me has a luggage rack (or at least a set of rails) on top of it. Every single one. How did we manage to get the one minivan on earth that came without?
I have special ordered a rather expensive Yakima rack system to see if that will work. Wish us luck, because if this doesn't fit I think we're out of options!
Update: The Yakima rack fits! Paul installed it with no trouble at all. Thank goodness. Now I just need to order the locks to go with it.
I thought all minivans had luggage racks. My SUV even has them and it is an '01. Good luck with the new system- hope it fits!
ReplyDeleteRoof racks are probably the last thing I would have thought of. But I can see why you would need them.
ReplyDeleteOk first of all I drive the exact same van right down to the color and I did get the one that had a luggage rack.. wish I could help ya out..
ReplyDeleteSears used to sell different clips to fit the Cargo carrier that would fit in the cardoor when no luggage rack was available. Would taking the Pilot be an option?
ReplyDeleteOh Lisa good luck..... B
ReplyDeleteI didn't think it would be that hard to to get a rack. I hope the one you ordered works.
ReplyDeleteWe installed a hitch on our mini van and bought one of those things that attach to it (no wheels) and it works pretty well...just let me know if you need more details. Good luck!
ReplyDeletei will ask my hubby, he would know - he has connections. i will be in touch about that.
ReplyDeleteon that note it is amazing how many cars are so different this day & age. you wonder what the makers of cars (vehicles) are thinking when they design the car in the 1st place???! ( :
Olá Lisa, fico torcendo que resolva o problema....
ReplyDeleteCumprimentos
We have rails on my SUV and have never used them. They sure look good though! Would love to see your Yakima installed. xox
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got something that worked. I would not thought about that.
ReplyDeleteWe had to get something in a hurry to. My husband watch our two nephews and our sons 2 days a week. At one point in time he had 2 babies (2 months apart) and 2 two and a half year olds 3 months apart.
He liked having a truck because he does sculpture work. We got a used Honda Pilot. It has 3 seats. It was a tight fit! It's a good thing we only had them 2 days a week for awhile.
I was gonna suggest a 2" square receiver hitch and the rear platform you can buy fairly cheaply (less than a Yak Rack usually). Then you can pull a trailer too if you needed.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad it worked out for you!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the Yakima rack fit! I never thought how important luggage racks could be until I thought of how many people (and bags) you would have on a trip.
ReplyDeleteGlad the new one works. Happy motoring!
ReplyDeleteno luggage rack?? seems like a no brainer.
ReplyDeleteyou will need a luggage rack with 3 kids. i like the color!!
Hmmmmm--- I hadn't noticed the tops of mini-vans.. Guess I'll need to look closer!!!! BUT---I'm glad you that found one that fits... Where are you going on your summer trip? Whatever it is, I'm sure those boys will love it.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
good save!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found a rack that fits! Seems like that would come standard on every minivan, but apparently not!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you found one to fit. I know the feeling of fitting everyone in. I usually borrow my daughters mini van. It just fits the five grandchilldren with their car seats.
ReplyDeleteI am glad They work....good that Paul could install them
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - I hope that works for you - you need one! sandie
ReplyDeleteI ran into that exact problem with a vehicle a few years ago. Universal is a misnomer to be sure!
ReplyDeleteBut yay for the Yakima!
How strange!!! But I am so glad you found one and it fits! Where will you be going and for how long? We have a regular van, it looks just like yours only bigger. I don't think it has a rack, it is in the shop now or I would run out and look. We only ever buy used cars, we bought this from our son when he was getting a new one. It is an old Oldsmobile.
ReplyDeleteHappy that it worked out.
ReplyDeleteMy brother wore out two mini-vans raising his three kiddos. There are many so-called "aftermarket" sources, Lisa, that offer some solutions to automobile challenges. I don't see many cargo racks in use. But this must mean a tight ride in the passenger compartment for sure!
ReplyDeleteThat was very rare that the minivan didn't come with racks, thought it was standard. Happy to hear that you found some that fits :)
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm glad the Yakima fit!!
ReplyDeleteWe had to order an expensive Yakima rack for our previous car! It saved the day for us as well!
ReplyDeleteGuess what? The town of Yakima is only about 35 or so miles away;)
Great! It sure pays to keep looking!
ReplyDeleteHooray! Glad you got it to fit. Isn't that crazy that you didn't notice that when you initially looked at it? But why would you? You never notice those things until you need them. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteOn another note--friends of ours had their cross bars on the rack stolen off their car. They didn't notice it either until they went to use them one day. I guess you are not alone. :)
Hooray, I'm glad it fits!
ReplyDeleteyay for the little things.
ReplyDeleteShoot...we had a minivan like yours and I stil have the racks...I could have given you a steal on yakima racks!
ReplyDeleteYay that it fits!!! :>
ReplyDeleteI could put one on there for you but you may have trouble removing it!
ReplyDelete