How to Install and Load a Hitch Receiver Rack

October 22, 2021

Whether you're preparing to hit the slopes for your annual ski trip or gearing up for your next cycling event, its good to have an easy way to transport your equipment from one destination to the next. Instead of shipping your gear or stuffing it into the trunk of your vehicle, use these tips to install and load your hitch rack for a more convenient and seamless ride!

Installing Your INFINITI Hitch Receiver Rack

Bicycle Hitch Racks

Holding up to four bikes, the Yakima Fulltilt 4 is the perfect hitch rack for families! To install, release the Yakima tongue and unfold. Insert the rack into the lifestyle receiver hitch until the autopin locks in place. Hand tighten the red speed knob to lock.

The Fulltilt 4 allows you to access your INFINITIs hatch even with your hitch rack installed. To get into your hatch, release the tongue at the top of the bike hitch rack. Then, tilt your Yakima rack away from your vehicle to open the hatch, access the trunk, and store dirty adventure gear and cargo bags with minimal mess and issues.

To load your bike onto the mounted rack, rotate the Yakima Fulltilt 4 back into the upright position and listen for the click that means it's locked. Lift the top gray latch and swing the carrier arms out until they're parallel to the road. Lift the heaviest bike onto the rack first, loading the lightest bike last. The rack will hold up to four bikes.

Once the bikes are in place, secure them to the rack with the rack's zip strips. One will go around the top tube of the bike frame and the other will go around the bike seat tube. Stabilize the front wheels with the safety strap, and you're good to go!

Ski + Snowboard Hitch Receiver Racks

For an easy ski and snowboard hitch rack, the Yakima Hitchski attachment is the perfect pairing for your Fulltilt 4 bike rack to get the most out of your lifestyle hitch racks. Suited for either skis or snowboards, the Hitchski adapter sets up quickly and easily.

Attach the two frame pieces together using the pivoting rails installed on either side. Add the two lower rails onto the bottom of the frame, one on either side, and insert the two screws into the back of each rail before tightening it using the supplied hex key.

Once it's set up, place the Hitchski attachment into the cradles of the Yakima Fulltilt 4 bike rack and zip the strip over the rails of the Hitchski attachment to secure it to the hitch rack.

To load the rack, release the gray lever on the pivoting rail to open the carrier. Loosen the knobs on the lower rail to allow space for the skis or snowboard to slide through. Slide your gear into the lower rail and rest it in the pivoting rail. Tighten the knobs on the lower rail, then close the pivoting rail. The lever of the pivoting rail allows for the hatch rack to be locked for additional security.

Whether you're carrying just a single board or a full set of snow-day gear, your INFINITI tow hitch rack has everything you need to keep it safe.

Still need more space?

Even with your INFINITI’s spacious trunk, a little extra luggage space can come in handy. For hitch luggage and cargo racks, consider the EXO GearLocker or the EXO GearWarrior. These Yakima models are made to work separately or together. The EXO system is a modular hauling system and can work in tandem to tow cargo, bikes, or boards!

To install, mount your EXO SwingBase into the lifestyle receiver hitch. Your GearLocker or GearWarrior will mount and snap into the rails, where you can then hand screw it in tight. If you're looking to double your carrying space, the EXO TopShelf will mount directly into the SwingBase and allow for a second gear rack - or a bike or board rack - to mount onto the rails and lock into place.

With the technology of the SwingBase, your INFINITI trunk will always be accessible. Simply loosen the EXO turn knob at the base, and pivot the entire module system perpendicular to the vehicle to open your INFINITI hatch.

Store Your Gear With Hitch Receiver Racks

Whether it's to the slopes, to the mountain trails, or to the park for leisurely family biking, your INFINITI is ready to get you there. Shop INFINITI accessories for everything you need from hitch mount bike racks and ski adapters to load warrior cargo baskets.