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Author: Yakima

The Ya-kei-ma truck

we get a lot of questions about our kei truck And rightly so. I mean, not to toot our own horn too much, but this thing is sweet. But not many people are familiar with these types of cars here in the USA, let alone folks outside of Japan. So let us officially introduce the Ya-kei-ma truck. A 1992 Honda Acty. All time 4WD with just under 69k km on the odometer.  First, we have to go back to the day we picked this up. We bought Ya-kei from a local motorcycle dealership who has a passion for importing these kei vehicles. Kei vehicles, or kei jidōsha, are Japanese imported mini-cars, with the trucks like you see above being found

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July 25, 2024

Tight Lines In Squamish

Romy and Ali, long-time friends, embarked on a weeklong road trip around British Columbia, Canada, their hearts set on adventure and rekindling old friendships. Their first stop was a hidden gem of a fishing spot, where they were to meet their old friends Jarred and Nicole. Both Jarred and Nicole were seasoned fly-fishing anglers, known for their knack of finding the best fishing spots. The drive to the spot was rough, with a narrow, wooded road that twisted and turned through the dense forest. Romy and Ali clutched the car seats as their Bronco bounced over roots and rocks, feeling like they were in an off-road rollercoaster. “Are we there yet?” Ali joked, peering through the windshield as branches slapped

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July 16, 2024
Yakima products being tested.

Testing, Testing, One Two Three

WE’RE BIG ON DILIGENCE AND GETTING OUR HEADLIGHTS DIRTY At Yakima, there’s no such thing as makeshift. We’re lighthearted in nature, but we’re downright relentless about developing equipment that provides serious leverage in life. All of our proven solutions do more than meet ISO requirements; they undergo extensive testing inside our high-tech facilities and out in the real world. We use foolproof lab simulations and actual street smarts to maximize the strength and safety factor of every product. We shake, stress, and pummel all parts independently and together in the form of fully assembled units. Having a methodical process means we can stand behind the very best warranty policies in the business. Static testing We perform static pull testing to

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June 13, 2024
snow

Tips to Rack Smarter This Winter

Ourcustomer service team knows racks. We asked them to share their knowledge. Here are smart tips to keep your Yakima Winter mounts working right all season long… 1. LOCK AFTER YOU LOAD Every time you put your skis or boards back into the rack, make sure you secure it with the SKS lock. It’s a good habit, and helps deters thieves when you have to leave your gear unattended during pit stops. 2. winter camping The Skyrise HD is the Ultimate mobile base camp in any season. The Skyrise HD tent body is ruggedly constructed with 600D Ripstop polyester fabric and a 3000mm waterproof PU coating. paired with the weather-shedding waterproof rainfly, you’re set for the complete protection against the elements.

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January 22, 2024

Ski Cargo Boxes – Where to Start?

Yakima cargo boxes are an excellent year-round gear-hauling phenom. They come in various lengths, widths, and styles to accommodate whatever excursion you set forth on. From week-long soccer tournaments, to cross country road trips. Holding up to the expansive paved roads crisscrossing the country to roads with limited access crisscrossing the backcountry

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December 10, 2023

Ben Hicks Toyota Tundra TRD Pro

#beoceanminded Ben Hicks – Fine Art Photographer, World Traveler, Conservationist, Entrepreneur, along with many other roles. A human who is truly trying to make a difference in this world and enjoying every step of it along the way. We’re here for it, and we support his efforts. A true adventurist – Ben has been traveling around the US, and Americas since 1999. He first built out a Ford F150, where he took to the road for 72 days, sleeping inside the cab, alongside by tent, mountain biking, hiking, climbing, fishing, and plenty of exploring. In 2007, he moved into a 4×4 van that was a bit more adventure ready – this time joining a crew that was documenting the Americas and

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October 24, 2023

EXO OpenRange

Open Unbelievable Not totally sure what this new box is from Yakima? Is it a cooler? Is it a satellite that fell from space? Even better, the Yakima EXO OpenRange is the ultimate outdoor kitchen organizer. Set it on your back seat, slide it into your truck bed, or secure it to your hitch using out Yakima EXO System. If you’re reading this, you’re probably someone who has gone through the struggle of packing cooking supplies to go camping. Plates, bowls, cups, stove, spices, pots, pans, kettles, french press, utensils, etc. The list feels never ending, especially if you’re cooking for multiple people. Or maybe you’re extremely smart and planning to cook while camping for the first time. Either way,

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October 2, 2023

Rack Maintenance Tips and Tricks

Year-Round Vs. On n’ Off – There’s nothing wrong with keeping your gear mounts on your vehicle all year round. But, if you don’t plan on using them for a while, take them off. This prevents any unnecessary build-up of road grime and bugs. Whether you keep them on year-round or remove them after use, here are some helpful tips to increase their life span, and ease of use. Keep them clean DON’T GO THROUGH THE CAR WASH – If there’s one thing to take away from all these tips, it’s keeping your racks and gear mounts clean. Brush off any loose dirt and road grime…and bugs. Hand wash with an environmentally friendly soap. Never go through a car wash with

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September 20, 2023

Summer Road Trips Essential Packing Tips

pack it up, pack it in It’s summer – You’re ready for that perfect road trip you have planned. Your packing list is long and as it grows your car seems to be shrinking. Overpacking + small cars is a never-ending story we hear at Yakima. Our products are designed to help you take it easy. So, let’s dive into some essential packing tips for summer road trips. The Duffle Bags – You should probably bring some clothes. It’s 2023, we all have smart devices available with ways of checking the weather forecast. Pack according to the climate you’ll be in and what the weather is calling for. Fill the duffle bags with what you need and maybe pack an

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July 19, 2023

Sunset Shreds: Empowering Women Through Mountain Biking

Sunset shreds In a world where women are breaking barriers and embracing their passions fearlessly, one event stands out as a shining example of camaraderie, empowerment, and the sheer joy of mountain biking. The Sunset Shreds 10-city coast-to-coast event, sponsored by Pivot Cycles, Yakima, DT Swiss and Wild Rye, brought together women, femme & non-binary identifying riders to celebrate their love for the sport while supporting the non-profit organization World Ride. With its mission to empower women globally through mountain biking, World Ride is seeing, first-hand how mountain biking is making a difference in the lives of the women. Let’s dive into this extraordinary event and explore the incredible stories of camaraderie and empowerment that unfolded. Setting the stage Yakima

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July 18, 2023

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