Tire rack from TireRack

[Yippee38]

I just put up a tire rack that I bought from Tire Rack in my garage.



The install was fairly straightforward. Or at least it would have been if my walls had studs every 16" like a normal house. The top bar that supports all of the weight has hole drilled every 16", so that's kinda required. I found enough to work in my garage, but I would have liked to have mounted it one stud further away from the cabinets. I couldn't though, because that stud is more than 16". <sigh>

Once this is put together, it's sturdy as hell. I did a dip in it before I put the tires up there. It's supposed to support up to 400 pounds, and I believe it. It can also be expanded to fit wider tires, or more tires, but I didn't need it any wider.

The packaging was very nice on this. Everything is a black, crinkle finish. All of the parts came wrapped in thin felt to keep them from getting scratched in shipping. The instructions are pretty easy to follow. It took me about an hour and a half (including unpacking and cleanup of tools) by myself.

There's a couple of tricky bits to the install. The top bar is two sections. I mounted one level before I messed with the second. That whole process would have gone much quicker and easier if I had help.

Don't overtighten the bolts.

Check the height you are mounting it at before you drill. I didn't think about it and got lucky that those pointy corners are about 2" above my head at 6' 4". If I try to stand under it, I hit my head on the tires. I could probably move one of the bottom bars to have them sit higher, but it's not a big deal. Just make sure you will have clearance when you mount it.

Putting the crossbars in was the toughest part. The side panels slide in a groove in the top bar and have a pad to rest on the wall on the bottom. Therefore, they move all over when those bars aren't in. Attaching the first side is easy. The second side is more tricky without cross threading the bolts. Use a level and a square (and help) and it will go much easier.

All in all, I'm very happy with this purchase. Tire Rack had it cheaper than anywhere else I found. It's high quality. It beats the hell out of a stack of tires in the corner.

[jrhagen]

I have 2 of these in my garage. One for racing wheels/tires and the other to swap out all season and performance sets.

I did learn something from the first install. Make sure the pads at the bottom is resting on a stud or run a 1x4 along the wall between the 2 pads. The weight WILL punch a hole through the drywall.

[Yippee38]

I've got thick, real wood paneling in my garage, so that's not an issue. I can see how it would be on drywall though.

[snymat68]

Those bottom corners look like real head-bangers. Might wunna add some padding if it's at head level. Cool rack though!

[Deke736]

I've got 2 of them. One for winter tires and one for drag tires. I love them. Yes, you do have to watch your head, but I've never hit it or had anyone run into them.

I actually had a buddy ask me where I got them! I said, they have tirerack.com written on them, so I'll let you guess! I had to give him a hard time for that one!

Nice write-up OP!

[Fish-man]

yup- I have one in my garage. I had to re-drill one of the holes in order to center on a stud.

DO get some padding for the corners... they are a beeyotch to run into.

I also replaced the lower circular pads, since they sunk into my drywall... just put some wood up on the wall behind it.

[RJTV6A]

Thanks for the reviews. I've been wondering if this was a cheapo unit or if it is worth buying. Looks like everyone is happy with them.

[Yippee38]

Originally Posted by RJTV6A

Thanks for the reviews. I've been wondering if this was a cheapo unit or if it is worth buying. Looks like everyone is happy with them.

Yeah. Nice and very sturdy.

[Pro Stock John]

Looks nice. I'm not following the "punch through the drywall comments." What do you guys mean? The top track is bolted to studs, and the bottom pads would also need to rest on the same studs right?

[Rudy@Tirerack]

Thanks for the review

[Fish-man]

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

Looks nice. I'm not following the "punch through the drywall comments." What do you guys mean? The top track is bolted to studs, and the bottom pads would also need to rest on the same studs right?

the side brackets can slide on the top track... so those round pads at the bottom of the side brkts lay wherever relative to the studs. Like I said, I removed the pads and put a board on the wall, so the side brackets can sit on the hard board.

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

Looks nice. I'm not following the "punch through the drywall comments." What do you guys mean? The top track is bolted to studs, and the bottom pads would also need to rest on the same studs right?

If your garage or basement has drywall over top the studs like inside your home, the round pads will leave a big indent in the drywall and depending on the weight of the wheels you have on the rack can almost go all the way through the drywall even with a stud directly behind them. The drywall just compresses and crumbles to dust.

[itsadryheat79]

It might be a good idea to put a 2x4 on the wall across the span of top and bottom mounts then attach the rack to that. That way you can affix the 2x4 into the studs.
I see you used some cardboard next to the tire - Nice idea!

[el ess A]

Get some of those stick on foam 'baby bumpers' in black for those corners.