trailer hitches & roof racks

[charlie]

This question is more or less aimed at Greg but I figured I'd open it up in case Barry, Tyler or any of the Scoob guys are around and have any insight. Basically, I wanna put a hitch on the car and was curious what kind of clearance issues I'll have.

I'm looking to buy this hitch, and then combine it with this carrier so I can actually transport something larger than a gallon of milk.

This particular hitch looks like (and I've read on forums) that it's pretty friendly to aftermarket exhausts but I was looking at the HKS today and the tip is pretty wide so I'm not so positive that it will work. Honestly I may or may not already have Kartboy hangers. I can't remember but I can just check tomorrow.





So you think I'll be ok? Should I go a different route? I can get the whole setup for $265 shipped through etrailer but if you have any better ideas, I'd love to hear 'em.

[revel]

personally i would get a roof rack and one of those shells before i attached something to the rear of a car....but thats me being me....but it would allow you to not concern yourself with "possible" exhaust issue. just my thought. what do you plan to carry on it?

[Generz]

funny you should ask this...



i have a stock exhaust.. but there is still plenty of room above it.

[charlie]

Yeah, I think you're right. I slept on it, and the more I think about it, the less useful that little basket would be. It would be perfect for the task at hand (as Generz has so gracefully demonstrated) but probably not as useful as something like this in the long run.

Strangely enough, I remembered that there's a Saris roof rack in my garage (belongs to the homeowner) that I might try to use. I installed it this morning and it's sturdy but I don't like that it clips into the side pillars. I've read that it's not a very clearcoat friendly method. I also don't know how much I trust putting a moped up there. I want something that bolts to the top (like in that nasioc thread). The more I think about it, the sexier that thing would be with that roof rack up there. Talkin' combat as fuck, ya heard.

Thanks for the input.

[Zigerus]

I'm digging the roof rack, I was debating this as well awhile ago but that's as far as I got with it. I was mainly going to use it to either pull a very small trailer with tools and tires or use the roof for said act.

Post up pics when your done please!

[charlie]

I think I'm gonna go with the Tracker II like the tute suggests. I also just saw that someone is selling the Thule Playpen Basket locally so I might scoop that up and paint it black, then go on a safari and get jungle bitches.

[Greg]

I've had roof racks, they suck, they all break, they cause dramatic aerodynamic drag, you have to pick your bike up and down off the damn thing, they scratch the paint on the roof.

if you plan to carry anything of weight get a 2" receiver hitch. I bought a 1 1/4" Hidden Hitch brand receiver, I don't plan on towing or carrying more than 2 bikes. only down side Charles, you'll have to lose the HKS carbon ti exhaust and go back to a stock appearing twin tip exhaust. I had to put my stocker back on until I has money for a Stromung dual tip muffler.

if you want a bike rack get the Thule T2. hands down the BEST 2 bike rack you can buy. it tips downward in the rear with 2 bikes on it and you can open your hatch or trunk. the T2 holds the bikes the most secure of any receiver type bike rack, plus it will carry any size from 20" to 29" wheeled bikes. one more thing with the T2 rack, you don't have to worry about dragging it on a lowered car.

[charlie]

Awe man don't tell me that. I had already swayed the other way.

I'm actually not as concerned about bicycles. I have a trunk mounted Yakima that works pretty well and holds three. I can't say it's convenient, but it's something I already own. But I am concerned about load/weight. A prime example of what I would want the roof rack for is this weekend when I went out estate salin' and needed more room to put cheap, dead peoples' stuff. I ended up using the Saris, but I can't really say it's very comforting knowing that it's just kind of clamped to the paint, especially when it kept popping off if I screwed it too tight. I was only carrying some wooden chairs and I didn't have to go very far so I was ok with it but I would not have taken it on the highway like that.

But yeah I guess I'll combine that experience and your advice and not try to bring home an out-of-state moped on top of the car. I'll figure something else out.

[kOOpA]

just get whatever allows you to put the most stickers on it, and get on hellaflush. duh!