Anti-Theft for Yakima Roof Rack

alexk243 · Post by **alexk243** » 22 Jun 2014, 22:03

So I have had a Yakima roof rack for bikes/snowboards on my car (1993 Volvo 850 Sedan) for years. Just last week I chased someone away who had used a pry bar to break 3 of the 4 mounting points off in under 5 mins. Luckily he was chased away before he could remove it completely.

There was minor damage to the car (marks) and the rack was repaired with new q clips, but I am worried about remounting it as my car is parked on the street in Chicago. Does anyone know of any additional ways to secure this roof rack to the car?

Here is a picture of the rack:

https://www.etrailer.com/multi-product. ... &manuf=YAK

Also please note I do have all lock cores installed. So if he did steal it he would have had to destroy the rack to remove the lock cores.... still apparently not a deterrent to stealing it and it did not prevent him from prying out the q tower clips.

Post by **matthew1** » 22 Jun 2014, 22:29

Do you use it frequently? The obvious answer is "remove it and store it til you need it", but you sound smart enough to have thought of that.

I too have a roof rack, it's a big expedition basket mounted on Yakima rails and Q clips, and I store it 90% of the time. Obviously I don't use it often. It's strictly for moving and camping, and I can add/remove it with some effort by myself.

(topic moved for better view #s)

Post by **mecheng** » 23 Jun 2014, 06:46

I used to have a rack but I realized my wife doesn't like biking so I just pop the rear seats down and the bike fits perfectly. I have a 20" Rock Mountain frame. Not sure if that is an option for you.

alexk243 · Post by **alexk243** » 23 Jun 2014, 09:24

Haha ok, I do know that storing it an option, however It is not very easy to remove and mount and part of the reason I like it is that i think it greatly improves the look of the car and yes I do use it a lot.

Right now I am storing it, but I really would like to securely mount it. Any ideas on that?

Post by **matthew1** » 23 Jun 2014, 09:35

I think to go beyond securing at the four mount points, you'd have to get very creative. Somehow. I can't even think of an implausible scenario.

AVIP · Post by **AVIP** » 23 Jun 2014, 11:42

If someone wants something they'll take it regardless of security. Some people go to great lengths. Unfortunately there's little for those racks you can do besides take them off. I can't think of a plausible way to secure it

alexk243 · Post by **alexk243** » 02 Mar 2015, 20:40

So my most recent idea, as I have still not put the roof rack on due to fear of it getting stolen, is to literally weld the mounting brackets to the roof... thoughts?

webstyles · Post by **webstyles** » 02 Mar 2015, 21:34

If you can't stop them from taking it if they want to, then make them not want to take it:
Put a Yellow sticker on ends of each rack saying: 'Caution: Do not touch! High Voltage security system', maybe that will mak'em think twice. (add a little lightning bolt or a little matchstick man being electrocuted).
If you really want to get creative add a little red flashing led to each one, to indicate the high voltage is active.

Just a thought, but sometimes the silly ideas are the ones that actually work. Good luck.

alexk243 · Post by **alexk243** » 02 Mar 2015, 21:51

webstyles wrote:If you can't stop them from taking it if they want to, then make them not want to take it:
Put a Yellow sticker on ends of each rack saying: 'Caution: Do not touch! High Voltage security system', maybe that will mak'em think twice. (add a little lightning bolt or a little matchstick man being electrocuted).
If you really want to get creative add a little red flashing led to each one, to indicate the high voltage is active.

Just a thought, but sometimes the silly ideas are the ones that actually work. Good luck.

haha thats awesome!!!! I may have to throw something like that on there.

Post by **j-dawg** » 02 Mar 2015, 22:01

alexk243 wrote:So my most recent idea, as I have still not put the roof rack on due to fear of it getting stolen, is to literally weld the mounting brackets to the roof... thoughts?

I think a crackhead trying to steal your roof rack isn't gonna notice that it's welded on before he damages your car. He didn't notice the locks, did he?