Clean the vacuum pad with dish soap and a soft cloth or sponge. Ensure there's no dirt or debris on the sealing edge (the bottom outside edge of the vacuum pad). Check the sealing edge for nicks or cuts – a nick or cut can let air escape under the cup, and your SeaSucker won't maintain vacuum. If a vacuum pad has a nick or cut, it should be replaced. You should also regularly clean the vacuum pump, especially if it's exposed to saltwater or used in a dusty environment. To clean the pump, pull the plunger straight out of the pump cylinder. Clean the inside of the cylinder with dish soap and a soft cloth or paper towel. Ensure the cylinder is completely dry – any remaining water can make the pump emit a popping noise when pumped and might affect the check-valve function of the pump. Wipe the plunger clean, and apply a thin layer of silicone-based gel lubricant to the black rubber seal at the tip of the plunger. We use LubeTube brand lubricant for this purpose. Push the plunger back into the cylinder and pump it a few times to properly seat it and distribute the lubricant.

Every SeaSucker vacuum mount comes with a protective cover. Pop that cover onto the vacuum pad when you're not giving it a workout. Be sure to push the edge of the vacuum pad all the way into the cover; if it's not fully snug, the edge of the cup could get a bit wonky and make it tricky to stick your SeaSucker on next time. If that does happen, let your SeaSucker chill on a flat surface like a countertop for a few hours – it'll sort itself out. Even though we've chucked a UV inhibitor into the rubber and plastic we use, it's still a top idea to stow your SeaSucker indoors or in the shade because eventually, the Aussie sun can wreak havoc on just about everything.

If it's rain or good ol' freshwater, don't sweat it. Give it a quick dry if you've got the time. But if it's the salty stuff from the sea, give it a rinse with some fresh water once you've hopped off your boat. Maybe even give it a gentle scrub with some soap and water – you know, like you'd do with your fishing gear, those trusty rods and reels, for example. And don't forget to let the water drain out of those pumps when you're finished – we don't want any surprises there, mate!

You see, all our top-notch SeaSucker vacuum mounts are already equipped with built-in UV blockers, so they're built to endure the harsh Aussie sun. But, fair dinkum, those UV rays can still give any rubber or plastic a run for its money. That's why it's a ripper idea to keep your SeaSuckers in the shade when they're not in action. Better safe than sorry, right?

1. Certainly, because there is a risk of theft. We have received inquiries from individuals who unfortunately had their SeaSuckers stolen.
2. It's worth noting that having a rack on your vehicle without a bike can negatively impact your fuel efficiency, potentially by as much as 5 miles per gallon.
3. Removing and reinstalling the SeaSucker is a straightforward process, so it's advisable to take it off when not in use.
4. Additionally, giving your vacuum pads some time to revert to their original shape is a good practice to maintain their condition.

Before attaching your SeaSucker, give the mounting surface a good wipe to remove any dirt. No need to go overboard with alcohol wipes like one enthusiastic customer did, but a quick rubdown with a wet paper towel or napkin should do the trick. And don't forget to keep the vacuum pad's sealing edge clean as well.

There's no fixed timeframe for how long our vacuum mounts will hold. It depends on various factors such as the surface you attach them to, the condition of the vacuum mount, the weight it's supporting, and other variables. When it comes to the surfaces, vacuum mounts were originally designed for carrying large sheets of glass and other smooth, flat materials, so smoother surfaces work best. Keeping both the surfaces and the SeaSucker clean will help maintain a strong hold.

In case the vacuum mount begins to lose suction, it has a warning mechanism. As you may already know, the vacuum pump's plunger will automatically extend from the pump cylinder when it starts losing suction power. When you notice the orange indicator band, it's a signal to repump your SeaSucker. For car racks, it's generally advisable to check the rack before getting into your vehicle and inspect it each time you make a stop for gas, food, or a bathroom break.

To remove your SeaSucker, use your finger to lift the edge of the vacuum cup away from the mounting surface. Pull the T-shaped tab on the top of the vacuum pad upwards and towards the center of the vacuum mount. Once you've lifted the edge of the vacuum pad, the vacuum seal will break, allowing you to easily remove your SeaSucker.

First and foremost, it's crucial never to mount your rack in a way that would have your bike positioned sideways or facing the rear of your vehicle. That's simply not advisable in the world of SeaSucker. Determining where to attach your rack depends partly on your car type and partly on the specific rack model you have.

If you happen to own a Hornet rack, it's exclusively designed to be mounted on the rear window of hatchbacks or SUVs. In the case of a Falcon rack, it's tailored for attachment to the rear window of a pickup truck – no exceptions there. However, if you drive a sedan and possess a Talon, Mini Bomber, or Bomber rack, your optimal mounting options are either right behind the front windshield or just in front of the rear window. This choice is based on the fact that most car roofs offer greater structural support and strength along the edges, ensuring the most secure and stable mounting position for the rack. Now, for those with a hatchback or SUV featuring a mostly upright backside, you can also mount your Talon, Mini Bomber, or Bomber rack to the rear window and let your bikes extend off the back of the vehicle.

Our general recommendation is to align the rack in such a way that the vacuum mounts on both the front and back bars are as near as possible to the corners of your car's roof. This guidance is rooted in the fact that the edges of most car roofs typically offer superior structural integrity and strength, providing the rack with the most secure and stable mounting position possible.

It's straightforward - all you need is a set of our MTB plugs, which include the mentioned plugs and a quick-release skewer. This allows you to temporarily convert your wheel into a quick release for use with the Flight Deck.

If your bike has bolt-on wheels or solid threaded axles, consider replacing those nuts with a set of Axle Release quick-release adapters. We use them on our beach cruisers, and they work great.

You’ll need to get a Fork Up Lefty Adapter.

Always position your bike facing forward on your car. Mounting your bike backward or sideways is not safe and will void your warranty. Please avoid doing this.

No worries! Our new HUSKE Fork Mount is designed to easily adapt to different hub standards. In fact, it's right there in the name: HUbs Standards Keep Evolving. If you happen to get a new bike with a different hub standard, or manufacturers introduce new ones in the future, we'll develop a new HUSKE plug to make it compatible with the existing HUSKE base. The good news is that all our new racks come with the fantastic HUSKE Fork Mount, and you can retrofit it to your old racks since it uses the same bolt hole pattern as our previous fork mount.

It's a possibility. Securing your rack to the rear window is a practical way to transport your bikes, but it works best when your rear hatch is mostly vertical. If your rear window has an angle, there's a chance your bike's chain ring could come into contact with the hatch, potentially causing damage to both your hatch and the chain ring.

Our standard warranty used to be only one year, but these products have proven to be incredibly reliable, so we've decided to extend it to a lifetime warranty. This warranty offers coverage to the original purchaser for any defects in materials or workmanship.

Please refer to our returns policy.

Certainly, we do offer replacement parts because we want you to be able to use your SeaSucker for as long as possible! You can find vacuum pads, pumps, and a variety of accessory parts on our website.

The Komodo rack is specifically designed for road bikes. Mountain bikes tend to have a longer wheelbase compared to road bikes, making them generally too large for the Komodo. To determine compatibility, measure the fork-to-wheel distance, which is the distance from the middle of your bike's front hub to a point on your rear tire, located 6 inches up from the ground. The Komodo can accommodate a maximum fork-to-wheel distance of 29.5 inches.

The Monkey Bars are essentially a set of roof bars that can be attached to almost any car. You can strap various items to these bars, and it's generally suitable for a wide range of cargo. Besides paddleboards and surfboards, our customers have successfully used our racks to transport items such as kayaks, canoes, ladders, lumber, and more.

No, that's not suitable. The Falcon rack is specifically designed for use on the back window of a pickup truck and should not be used on other vehicle types.

If you own a convertible, we suggest investing in the high-quality Komodo rack. The Komodo rack is an excellent and stylish option, albeit on the expensive side. It offers the advantage of securely holding your entire bike above the car, eliminating the need for your rear wheel to make contact with the vehicle's surface.

The Talon rack is undoubtedly our most versatile option. It's compact and lightweight, weighing only about 2.72 kg. Plus, it's designed to fit on almost any rental car you might encounter at the airport. You can even pack it in a carry-on bag for added convenience.

The Monkey Bars are essentially a set of roof bars that can be used to secure various items, including kayaks, canoes, ladders, lumber, and, yes, even paddle boards and surfboards.

To deter bike thieves, it's important to take precautions. Consider using one of our Cable Anchors to securely lock your bike to your car.

SeaSucker racks are incredibly powerful and fork-mount racks are extremely secure. We've speed tested our racks on a NASCAR track up to about 225 km/h, but that's obviously extreme. Our recommendation is that you observe all posted speed limits.

Try to find a clear spot to mount your rack. The thickness of the paint may actually mean that there will be a very small gap when you mount a SeaSucker across painted and unpainted sections. That gap can eventually let air seep in under the vacuum pad, weakening and ultimately breaking the vacuum seal.

No, but avoid attaching a SeaSucker to a freshly-waxed surface until the wax has had time to cure. Additionally, never attach a SeaSucker to a vehicle wrap.

One simple method is to align your crank arm with your chainstay and use the Velcro strap to secure your crank arm to the chainstay. The racks now come with this strap as a standard accessory.

Yes, it's possible to use your rack in cold temperatures, but there are some precautions to keep in mind. When you remove your rack after using it in the cold, you'll need to warm it up again to nearly room temperature before the rubber becomes pliable enough to create a solid seal on the mounting surface. Additionally, in warm weather, it's advisable to moisten the sealing edge of your rack before attaching it. However, please avoid doing this in freezing or near-freezing temperatures, as the vacuum cup can freeze to the car's surface, hindering the proper functioning of the vacuum pump and check valve. Furthermore, if you clean your car in cold weather, ensure that it's thoroughly dried before attaching your rack.

Using SeaSucker racks on a wrapped vehicle is not recommended. Our testing has revealed that our vacuum cups can create bubbles in the wrap when attached, which can damage the wrap and pose safety risks. It's best to avoid using SeaSucker racks on wrapped vehicles to protect the integrity of the wrap and ensure safe attachment.

Certainly. It's perfectly fine to use SeaSucker mounts in the rain. In fact, they tend to perform better when wet, so you don't need to worry about rainy conditions affecting their effectiveness.

The factory is situated in sunny Bradenton, Florida. The products are manufactured, assembled, and packaged at this facility. Although some components are sourced from external suppliers, the majority of parts come from manufacturers in the USA.

We're aware of the Tesla glass issue and have prepared specific guidelines for addressing it, which can be found here.