FAQs

SeaSucker 

How long will my SeaSucker hold?
There’s no set time limit on our vacuum mounts. It depends in part on the surface you attach to, the condition of the vacuum mount, the load you put on it, and other factors. As for surfaces to attach to, vacuum mounts in general were designed to carry big sheets of glass and other solid surface materials, so smoother, flatter surfaces are ideal. Clean surfaces and clean SeaSucker's go a long way to maximizing the hold time. In any event, if the vacuum mount begins to lose some vacuum, it will warn you so you can get it back to full power before it comes off. As you probably already know, the vacuum pump’s plunger will reverse itself and extend from the pump cylinder when it starts to lose power. Once you see the orange indicator band, that’s your cue to repump your SeaSucker. For car racks, the general rule of thumb is to check the rack before you get in your vehicle, and check it each time you stop for gas, food or the bathroom.

Do I need to clean the surface I’m going to attach my SeaSucker to?
Clean off any surface dirt from the mounting surface before attaching your SeaSucker. While you’re at it, make sure the sealing edge of the vacuum pad is clean too. You don’t have to clean the mounting surface with alcohol wipes, as one overly-enthusiastic customer told us they do, but a quick wipe with a wet paper towel or napkin wouldn’t hurt.

Will the sun damage my SeaSucker?
All SeaSucker vacuum mounts have UV inhibitors built right in, so they’re made to last. However, UV rays eventually break down almost any sort of rubber or plastic, so store your SeaSucker's out of the sun when not in use.

Can I use my SeaSucker in the rain?
Absolutely. SeaSucker's will typically hold better when wet, so the rain is no problem.

How do you remove a SeaSucker once it’s attached?
Using your finger, lift the edge of the vacuum cup away from the mounting surface by pulling the t-shaped tab on the top of the vacuum pad up and towards the center of the vacuum mount. Once the edge of the vacuum pad is lifted, the vacuum seal breaks and you can removes your SeaSucker.

How should I store my SeaSucker's when I’m not using them?
Every SeaSucker vacuum mount comes with a protective cover. Put the cover back on the vacuum pad when you’re not using it. Make sure to press the edge of the vacuum pad all the way into the cover; if it’s not fully seated in the cover, the edge of the cup could deform and make it difficult to attach your SeaSucker the next time you use it. If that does happen, let your SeaSucker sit on a flat surface like a countertop for a few hours until the deformation works itself out. Even though we put a UV inhibitor in the rubber and plastic we use, it’s a good idea to store your SeaSucker inside or in the shade because eventually the sun kills everything.

Can I put a SeaSucker rack on a wrapped vehicle?
We don’t recommend it. Our testing shows that our vacuum cups will pull a bubble in the wrap when attached, which alters the wrap and is not a safe attachment point for a SeaSucker.

Which way should my bike face on my car?
Forward. Always forward. Mounting your bikes facing sideways or backwards isn’t a safe way to carry your bike. 

What kind of rack should I get if I have a convertible?
If you have a convertible, we recommend the excellent Komodo. The Komodo holds the entire bike off the car, so unlike the Talon/Mini Bomber/Bomber, your rear wheel doesn’t need to land somewhere on the vehicle.

Will my SeaSucker rack damage my car’s finish?
No. But, don’t attach SeaSucker to a freshly-waxed surface until it’s had time to cure, and definitely don’t attach a SeaSucker on vehicle wrap.

What if my handlebars are touching on my Mini Bomber or Bomber?
You have two options - you can get shorter handle bars, or you can simply angle your rack’s fork mounts to give your handle bars more room. If you unbolt your fork mount from the deck of the rack, you’ll notice a series of holes. These holes allow you to change the position of your fork mount, to angle it in such a way that give you more space in between your bikes’ bars.

Will my bikes fly off my car if I go too fast?
Even though SeaSucker racks are incredibly powerful and fork-mount racks are extremely secure, these racks have been tested on a NASCAR track up to about 140 mph, but that’s obviously extreme. Our recommendation is that you observe all posted speed limits.