The best way to think of a Draftmaster is like a roof rack that is slid back, tipped up, and mounted to your receiver. Just like a roof rack, a Draftmaster system is built up from the standardized modules and components to meet your specific needs.
Three Module Types:
- Interconnect: This the parallelogram module that connects your car to the rest of the Draftmaster.
- Cross Arm Assembly: This the equivalent of the load bars on a roof rack system. Fork mounts and stub wheel trays attach to the cross arms to carry regular “short” bikes without any additional modules. Specialty Rails (see below) also attach to the CAA for carrying long bikes such as tandems and specialty bikes like trikes.
- Specialty Rails: We have a variety of Specialty Rail modules to meet the needs of most non-standard bikes. Our Sxx series and Sxx-TA series rails carry long two-wheel bikes and delta trikes with wheelbases up to 84 inches. Our STT module is specifically designed for carrying tadpole trikes.
- Thru Axle Mounts: Not really a module type, but still worth including here. Draftmaster systems come with our classic fork mount hardware by default. In other words, fork mounts that fit traditional 9x100 quick release forks. All of our fork mount products are also available in our exclusive TA series direct mount thru axle hardware.
…and it’s Quick Connect
Draftmaster’s modules are also QUICK CONNECT. The Interconnect, CAA, and Specialty Rail modules are all quick connect with each other.
- When you are not using your Draftmaster you can easily unclip the modules to more easily remove the Draftmaster from your car. This also makes it easier to mount the Draftmaster to your car.
- Each of Draftmaster’s individual modules are fairly thin 2-dimensional assemblies for easy storage when not on your car.
Carrying Tadpole trikes
- Draftmaster’s STT module is designed for the unique carrying requirements of tadpole trikes. STT stands for Specialty Rail for Tadpole Trikes.
- Fits most tadpole trikes including Catrike, ICE, HP Velotechnik, TerraTrike, Greenspeed, Azub (some), Trident (some), Sun, Sun Seeker, etc.
- Five-point support confidently secures your trike in place
- Adjustable to fit your trike perfectly.
- Draftmaster's STT module can be adjusted to customize the height and width of its trike support arms to optimize it for your trike.
- A few tadpole trikes will benefit from using Draftmaster's MK-STT-1 kit to adjust the angle of the STT’s support arms. The MK-STT-1 kit is recommended for use with Draftmaster's STT module for the following trikes:
- Azub T-Tris 20/26
- Azub Tricon 20/26
- Catrike Max
- Trident Spike
- Draftmaster's STT module is rated for up to 50 lbs (23 kg) per trike. Most trikes fit within this limit even if they are motorized. If your trike is motorized, you will want to remove the battery for transport. This helps if your trike is unusually heavy because we care about what your trike weighs when you put it on the Draftmaster, not when you ride it. You can easily carry 2 trikes on your Draftmaster since the Draftmaster as a whole is rated for up to 200 lb.
- Your vehicle/receiver may limit how much you can carry to less than the Draftmaster’s capability. We recommend no more than ½ your receiver’s tongue load capacity including the weight of the Draftmaster and bikes on it.
Call the Hostel Shoppe at 800-233-4340 with questions or to configure your custom rack today.
Combinations are easy! What do you want to carry today?
We can build a Draftmaster system to meet virtually any need using this modular approach. Systems can be configured to carry any mix of singles (short bikes), tandems (long bikes), delta trikes, and tadpole trikes.
How to configure a Draftmaster:
- Every Draftmaster needs an Interconnect module. The size of your receiver, vehicle type, and bike carrying needs determine which version of the Interconnect is best for you.
Every Draftmaster needs a Cross Arm Assembly (CAA) module. The configuration of your CAA module depends upon the combination of bikes you want put on your Draftmaster - Most Draftmasters need a Specialty Rail module to accommodate a non-traditional bike. Why? Because we specialize in transporting specialty bikes!
- The 80/20 rule applies… Most people’s needs can be met with one of the pre-defined “Bundled System” configurations shown on our Prices & Specs page. Feel free to ask us or your local Draftmaster dealer if you don’t see what you need.
- A few examples of popular Draftmaster configurations
- 2 singles + 1 tandem (or cargo bike, or LWB recumbent)
- 1 tandem (or cargo bike, or LWB recumbent)
- 1 tadpole trike
- 2 tadpole trikes
- 1 single + 1 tadpole trike
- 2 delta trikes
- Use your imagination…
Things to consider when deciding what Draftmaster configuration is best for you:
- What is the typical bike capacity you will be using?
- What is the maximum bike capacity you will need?
- How often do you need the typical load vs. the maximum load?
- If the maximum load is a rare need, or a “just in case” desire, do you have another way to carry the extra bikes when that need arises?
- Draftmaster is an extremely versatile system. If your needs vary significantly and frequently, you can get multiple CAA modules and use the QUICK CONNECT feature to rapidly reconfigure your Draftmaster.
Standard with all Draftmaster rack systems:
- Walk-up access to your tailgate - without removing bikes. Get at your stuff easily.
- Carrier swings back & down for easy loading. No high lifting required.
- All bikes and trikes are always immediately accessible. Get at the bike you want without removing the others.
- Bikes ride "in the draft" for better gas mileage.
- Simple assembly and easy operation.
- Easy to remove and store with Draftmaster’s quick-connect design.
- Modules are interchangeable to accommodate changing needs.
- Available for 2.00" and 1.25" receivers.
Options for your Draftmaster:
- Topper Lok security skewer with long-throw cam. Lock your bike to the rack.
- Front Wheel Carrier holds up to four wheels. Hides away when not in use. (pending redesign to accept thru-axles)
- Security Hitch Bolt. Lock your Draftmaster to your car. (pending redesign)
- Extra long 300 mm rear wheel tray kits.
- Fat-tire rear wheel tray kits.
- Add a Specialty Rail - for bikes that don’t fit directly onto the Cross Arm Assembly.
If we have this rack in stock, we will ship it to you if it is still in the packaging. It ships in three boxes and requires assembly. It does include assembly instructions. Otherwise, if it is not in stock, or we have built it up as a sales floor display, we will have a rack dropped shipped to you from the factory. Drop ship orders can take one and a half to three weeks from the time the order is placed, depending on distance from the factory, available inventory and when the order is placed. We will contact you with an estimated time frame when the order is placed.
