Transform your vehicle's hitch receiver into a mobile kitchen with this modular Yakima EXO system. It includes a propane stove, 2 side tables, a chuck box workstation, and an enclosed cargo carrier to transport camping and kitchen gear.
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With the modular Yakima EXO camping kitchen system, you'll be the chef du Jour at the campsite or when tailgating at the big game. The upper-level kitchen lets you transport, prepare, and cook meals no matter where you are. The lower-level enclosed cargo carrier secures the camping kitchen tables and stove, sleeping bags, and other gear. The two-tier base system swings away, while fully loaded, for rear cargo area access, and the top tier can be removed if you only need to carry 1 accessory.
Because the Yakima EXO system is modular it lets you transform your hitch into the ultimate gear-carrying rig. You can outfit the system with various accessories (sold separately) to carry all your biking, skiing, and camping gear. The system is compatible with a bike rack, ski rack, and a cargo carrier, and you can easily swap them out to match any outdoor activity. Lastly, because you can carry two accessories on the back of your vehicle, it frees up space on your roof to carry even more gear.
The OpenRange chuck box is the centerpiece of the EXO camping kitchen. Load it up with cookware, dinnerware, and spices and use it as a workstation at the campsite. The front panel can be used as a prep table, the removable shelf inside the box lets you organize your gear, and a silverware drawer underneath the shelf stores knives, forks, spoons, and smaller kitchen gadgets. A pole with a hook for a lantern (sold separately) is also included so you can cook at night.
Locking latches secure the chuck box to the base system. If you can't park where you want to cook, you can undo the latches, remove the chuck box from the base system, and carry it wherever you want to go. Handles on the sides of the chuck box make it easy for 1 person to carry.
A leg kit (Y76AR - sold separately) allows you to set up the chuck box away from your vehicle and off the ground. It has telescoping legs that let you adjust the chuck box to the optimal height. It also includes a storage bag that makes the legs easy to transport.
The backboard organizer lets you quickly access condiments, dishrags, and cooking utensils. The metal legs let you install it in the holes provided on the chuck box or either side table.
The CookOut propane stove is perfect for off-the-grid cooking. It has 2 burners with individual control knobs so you can adjust each flame from high heat to simmer, and the folding side panels protect the flames from wind. There's also a hanging storage bag for a standard 1-lb propane tank (not included) that connects to the kitchen's metal side table to keep your fuel close but out of the way. For longer trips, you can add a refillable 5-lb or 10-lb propane tank (sold separately).
To light the stove, connect your propane tank with the included regulator, open the lid, give each knob a half turn counterclockwise, and push the red piezo igniter. When you're done cooking, disconnect the propane tank, fold down the lid and side panels, and tuck the stove into the included storage bag.
2 Side tables are included to increase your cooking preparation area. The heat-resistant metal side table provides a surface for the propane stove and has a wire rack that flips over to create a towel holder. The bamboo side table has a cutout that can interchangeably hold either the included sink or cutting board, while leaving enough surface space for a mixing bowl. The sink has a rubber plug and drain tube that lets you direct the water away from camp when you're ready to drain the basin.
To set the tables up, first decide how high you want the tables to sit and connect them to one of the three connection points on either side of the chuck box. There are two sets of attachment rungs on the sides of the cargo box and another attachment point on the handles. Both tables have a telescoping leg that's easy to adjust. With the tables attached to the cargo box, extend each leg to match the height of the table, fine tune each leg so the tables are level, then tighten down the hand knobs.
The GearLocker enclosed cargo carrier has 10 cu ft of storage space for carrying the camp kitchen tables and stove, clothes, sleeping bags, and other gear. It keeps your gear secure, dry, and away from prying eyes.
The hinged arm on the base lets you swing the unit away from your vehicle. This provides full access to your vehicle's rear cargo area and eliminates the need to remove the camping kitchen and cargo carrier when you're unloading your vehicle or letting your dog hop in or out of the back.
To open the hinged arm, simply rotate the release knob counterclockwise until it's unscrewed from the arm, pull out on the spring pin, and swing the rack away from the rear of your vehicle. The arm will lock in place when it's fully extended, so your hands are free to open your hatch and remove cargo.
In addition to allowing access to your vehicle's cargo area, the EXO allows access to your gear stored on the lower level. Once the base unit is fully extended, you can swing the top tier back 180 degrees, with the camping kitchen still attached. This will provide unfettered access to the enclosed cargo carrier on the lower level.
To close the base unit, just pull the release lever at the hinge and swing the extended arm back into position. Once you hear the spring pin lock into place, rotate the knob clockwise until it's tight.
If you leave the base swung open for an extended period of time, you'll need to install the included jack stand to help stabilize the arm. Turn the rod on the jack to fine tune the height so the system stays level.
To install the EXO system, simply slide the shank on the base unit into your 2" hitch receiver, insert the threaded hitch pin, and tighten it down with the included 24-mm wrench. The threaded hitch pin also reduces noise and movement in your hitch. The second tier bolts to the base to provide the second level of storage.
Dual arms on each tier have tracks with cleats and SpeedKnobs that secure EXO accessories. To swap the camping kitchen or cargo carrier for a different accessory, undo the latches on the sides of the arms, rotate the SpeedKnobs to allow the cleats inside the tracks to free the carrier, and remove it. Next, put the new accessory in the tracks, rotate the SpeedKnobs so the cleats secure it, then close each latch.
This EXO system includes 12 SKS locks to secure the system, the camping kitchen and cargo carrier, and the gear inside the camping kitchen. The two tiers have locks that secure them to each other and to your vehicle's hitch receiver. Both tiers also have locks in the arms to secure the camping kitchen and the cargo carrier. Finally, the camping kitchen has 2 locks to secure the gear inside. Because the camping kitchen only uses 2 locks and the enclosed cargo carrier only uses 1 lock, this EXO configuration will come with 3 extra lock cores.
Because the locks are packaged with the various components of the system, they probably won't be keyed alike. However, they can be swapped out to match each other and even your other Yakima gear.
Because the EXO System is modular you can add accessories for whatever adventure you have planned, or swap them out for other activities.
The BackDeck camping table (Y84VR - sold separately) is perfect for use at the campsite. It gives you even more room to prep meals, lay out your gear, and even mix drinks at the end of the day. Simply remove the chuck box on the top tier and install the table. With the chuck box installed on the leg kit, you can have a standalone camping kitchen set up next to the table.
The SnowBank (Y57VR - sold separately) is perfect for your ski trip. It carries up to 5 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards. It has an expanding hinge that accommodates thick skis and large buttons that let you access your skis even if you're wearing gloves. Simply remove the top-tier camping kitchen and install this carrier in its place, or you can remove the cargo carrier and store the SnowBank under the camping kitchen.
The DoubleUp 2-bike rack (Y24VR - sold separately) has ratcheting hooks that grab your bikes firmly by the front wheel - not the frame. It's perfect for carrying nearly any bike, including bikes with carbon frames, disc brakes, thru axles, or full suspensions. Simply remove the top-tier camping kitchen and install this carrier in its place.
If you want to carry coolers, luggage, and other larger, bulky gear, you can swap out the enclosed cargo carrier for the GearWarrior cargo carrier (Y37VR - sold separately). There is also a wheel kit (Y97VR - sold separately) that converts the cargo carrier into a wagon, so you can wheel your gear to the campsite. The GearWarrior can be installed on either the top or bottom tier so you can maximize cargo space.
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Hi everyone, it's Evangeline here at etrailer and today we're gonna be taking a look at this Yakima EXO system kit. So we have the camp kitchen, which is the open range as well as the gear locker as our other accessory. Now this is all on the Yakima exoskeleton. So we have the top shelf as well as the swing base. If you're finding this here at etrailer.com, you can get all four kitted together. Let's talk about how that will work out.
The EXO System is a modular system, meaning you can mix and match different EXO accessories. So if you want a bike rack up top and a cargo basket on the bottom, or you wanna switch out the bike rack for a ski and snowboard carrier, you can do so quickly and easily. Now with our setup here, this is great for if you're planning on going out on adventures. We also make it easier for yourself to prep food and store food. This kit is great because you have pretty much two boxes on your hitch, one box for your food and gear, the other box for your camping gear.
So we'll delve into the different specs and measurements of these boxes, but if you want a really closer look, take a look at their individual product pages. Your experience with this kit can be different depending on what type of vehicle you have. One thing I did notice with the open range used on the top shelf of your EXO system is that the legs aren't really that long and you may have to use let's say a block of wood or some firewood to level it out. This is an extreme example just to show you the range of how much you can adjust it, but even at this point the stove would still be at my head level. Things included with your deluxe camp kitchen is you have your metal table.
This works great with the included cookout stove. It's a two burner stove that you need gas for the fuel. Now you have your baseboard organizer you have a lantern hook for the main box, and then on the other side you have the wooden side table as well. Included with the wooden table is your collapsible basin. This can be used for putting water in there for washing, for cleaning things.
You also have a switch outable cutting boards that fits right there into the cutout for when you need to use this as food prep. Now both tables work with the camp kitchen accessories so you have in the four corners cutouts for your different organizers or poles. Now when you're packing this up and putting things away this is great as storage for your food because you have like the rubber seal, you have really sturdy latches to keep everything closed even as you're driving around. Now, the downside to this is not everything can fit in there or you are limited on space. So for example, the metal table goes into this bag which fits perfectly fine in the gear locker and then you can use the gear locker for your other gear like your tents or your sleeping bags. We'll have locks and you will have keys but you're only gonna get, let's say four extra lock cores. So we don't have the assurance of everything getting keyed alike. So if you plan ahead to add other accessories as well we do have packs of same key system lock cores and those are used to switch out the lock cores and then you can access everything with one key. Now a very important thing with the EXO system is that it's super heavy, so you need to make sure you have enough tongue weight capacity. Now right off the bat, your minimum tongue weight capacity that I recommend is 350 pounds. That's if you wanna use this kit with it fully loaded. So all in all, weight of a system plus weight of your cargo that's around 313 pounds rounded up, which is why I round up to about 350 because that's the usual tongue weight capacity for your heavier duty hitches. For dimensions we measure from the center of the hitch pin hole to the furthest point, which are these knobs and that's gonna be 36" or three feet. Depending on your accessory, you may have some different length added but this is gonna be pretty flush which is the same as the rest of the system. Now the closest point is this top shelf back and that's measured from center of hitch pin hole to the top shelf 8 1/2". Now this camp kitchen's perfectly fine since it's just flush straight up but if you need it further away from your hatch or with it swung out, you can actually move the top shelf a bit more back. So we do have this spot for your wiring harness which is right over here. That's if you want to use the lit kit not included with this kit. This is sold separately. You can attach it to your vehicle and then extend your taillights and relocate your license plate as well. This has anti-rattle bolt with a lock on the end so yet another lock core that you can get keyed alike. This has a 2" shank, pops right into that 2" hitch receiver, and then you use a either 15/16" wrench or a 24 millimeter wrench to tighten it down. Since it's off balance, tightening it down can be very tricky so try to support the weight of the EXO system as you crank it down to not strip the threads. Pretty much your entire camp kitchen can also be swung away and set up once you're at the campsite. This is what it looks like when you're just driving around. But once you park, you can then go towards the back and start undoing the swing base. So this has this large knob which you just loosen. Once that big bolt loosens from the swing base and just swings freely you then pull this smaller knob and push out. Use the support triangle to push it out 90 degrees. If you have it out in this position for an extended period of time, please use the included jack stand because again this is very heavy and you want another level of support. With this swung out, look at how much more space you have to open up your hatch, open up the doors of your van, have or set up your campsite, things like that. Now, some downsides to being swung out like this is that you will not be able to open up the lid of your gear locker, but there is a solution for that. One option is that you and your friend could just grab the entire gear locker and set it up at the campsite. Another option is to swing this top shelf around so we have a knob holding it in place and then we also have our pin and lock. Once those are off, we can swing this 180 degrees. You can grab your gear as well as set up your kitchen and if you wanna set up your table or your stove you could do so from this position. It is a little bit tall on the top shelf though. Something worth considering. Some things to think about when you have your mobile kitchen set up like this is if you have it swung out, you will not be able to open up your hatch or open up your doors if that's what you have. You might only be able to use one table, again because of that clearance. And also just depending on how tall your vehicle is or where your campsite is because of the slope of the ground, you have to or you may have to make some adjustments on the table legs as well as the jack stand. Once your knobs are unlocked, you can then take off your accessory by first pushing those pins over to rotate, that allows you to loosen these knobs and loosen those cleats. Once this tightens back up again, you know that your accessories ready to be removed. For the box case, I recommend having a friend help you out. Grab the other end. You can then take off that accessory and now those cleats are open for a new accessory. This just opens up so much more storage space plus the modularity of everything makes it great if you want to use the other EXO system accessories. You can switch this out for a bike rack. Switches out for a ski and snowboard carrier. All the options are yours. That's why it's definitely worth checking out our product pages here at etrailer where we delve deep into those details for those specific things. And that was a look at our kit with the open range camp kitchen, the gear locker enclosed cargo carrier on the top shelf and swing base of our EXO system right here at etrailer.com. Check out the other kits as well as how they fit on different vehicles here on our pages..
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