A Bike Rack That Fits!

[Cam_Cam]

Originally Posted by spadz93

If you don't care about the paint, then kudos to you. Not really sure why you wouldn't value your investment, but that's not my business.

Cars are, at best, utilitarian investments. And like I said and someone else said, the amount of "damage" is so minimal, that no one is ever going to notice. It's not like I'm gonna be selling my car at Mecum. In less than a year, it's going back to the dealership and getting replaced with a Tahoe.

[gajagfan]

Originally Posted by Cam_Cam

Cars are, at best, utilitarian investments. And like I said and someone else said, the amount of "damage" is so minimal, that no one is ever going to notice. It's not like I'm gonna be selling my car at Mecum. In less than a year, it's going back to the dealership and getting replaced with a Tahoe.

The dealer will most likely notice, and he will know if it is going to hurt his resale ability. If it will, it's gonna cost you. Its like this, if one of the guys that considers a bit of paint damage on a used car to be a big deal, it will make a difference to him if it is there or not. To the majority (and by majority, I mean like 80% or so of the car buying public) it will not matter. This thread probably caught the most flack because there is a very easy solution that does not touch the car at all, and that is the hitch style racks. I am a guy that has pitts all over the gills on our 1LE because I don't like any of the guards I have seen, and you can't really tell the pits are there if you are more than 5 - 10 feet away, so I am not one of the extreme detail guys, That being said, I would have been much more comfortable with the hitch style rack, and would not buy a contact style rack because of the damage it did to my parents car when I was younger. To each his own. As far as Tahoes, they are great...just too much money!

[Cam_Cam]

Originally Posted by gajagfan

The dealer will most likely notice, and he will know if it is going to hurt his resale ability. If it will, it's gonna cost you. Its like this, if one of the guys that considers a bit of paint damage on a used car to be a big deal, it will make a difference to him if it is there or not. To the majority (and by majority, I mean like 80% or so of the car buying public) it will not matter. This thread probably caught the most flack because there is a very easy solution that does not touch the car at all, and that is the hitch style racks. I am a guy that has pitts all over the gills on our 1LE because I don't like any of the guards I have seen, and you can't really tell the pits are there if you are more than 5 - 10 feet away, so I am not one of the extreme detail guys, That being said, I would have been much more comfortable with the hitch style rack, and would not buy a contact style rack because of the damage it did to my parents car when I was younger. To each his own. As far as Tahoes, they are great...just too much money!

Well, I've asked multiple times on this forum for a rack that fits, and not one person has ever suggested a hitch rack, so I went with what I could find. I've always though a hitch wouldn't fit on the car, so I never bothered.

[13BRM2SSRS]

Austin, exactly!

[IBM]

Originally Posted by motorhead

Painters tape doesn't apply any pressure to a painted surface plus it won't rub any painted surface because it can't move. And, too many, it isn't just a car. To you it is and that's fine. I don't care how you treat yours because it isn't mine. I have a pickup to haul shit because that's what they are for. Camaros are to go fast and look pretty. That's about it.

Not everyone can afford the luxury of having 2 vehicles to themselves; that's when you've gotta make do with what you've got.
Yes, I value my car & take measures to protect it more than anyone else I know, but in the end it's just a car and I wouldn't really think twice about slapping a bike rack on the back if it meant getting out and doing something other than staring at my flawless car.

[chef-beavis]

I had to share the Mopar bike rack I saw today! Lol

[JR 1]

Originally Posted by Cam_Cam

Not sure how this would be any better. Uses the exact same connections, just hooked to a different part of the car. Nothing on the bikes rubs the car. The rack is connected in three different spots, and the bikes are hooked to the rack in three different spots.

Unless someone rear ended me, there's no chance the bikes are moving unless I for someone reason decide to rally cross my car like someone suggested.

Edit: Man it's like you guys have never seen a bike rack on a car before. Sheesh.

I've used both trunk mounted (Saris Bones) and hitch mounted carriers and I think the hitch mounted are far better. Like others have said trunk mounted carriers will mark up your paint over time. It could probably be buffed out, but it's not ideal. The trunk mounted carrier I used also permanently deformed the fascia where the lower part rested on the bumper. The trunk mounted carrier was also a real pain in the ass to install and remove. The hitch mounted carrier can be installed and removed in a few seconds, plus it folds up much smaller when not in use (compared to the Saris).

For all the poo flingers who probably have never even used a bike rack, both of the racks held the bikes securely and I never scratched the cars taking the bikes on and off. I also never had any issues with police, blocked lighting or license plates. Finally I haven't used any type of carrier on the Camaro (yet).

[mangloid]

Get a hidden hitch and use a proper bike rack. Had one, worked great. And when I got rear ended it protected my camaro, while the other persons car had significant damage.

[motorhead]

Originally Posted by IBM

Not everyone can afford the luxury of having 2 vehicles to themselves; that's when you've gotta make do with what you've got.
Yes, I value my car & take measures to protect it more than anyone else I know, but in the end it's just a car and I wouldn't really think twice about slapping a bike rack on the back if it meant getting out and doing something other than staring at my flawless car.

I certainly don't worry about my car being flawless. I just don't use it as a truck. If I was big into biking and could only afford one ride, I would probably own a Jeep. The post above with the hitch rack looks like the way to go. Best of both worlds. No damage and still can haul your shit.

[Cam_Cam]

Originally Posted by motorhead

I certainly don't worry about my car being flawless. I just don't use it as a truck. If I was big into biking and could only afford one ride, I would probably own a Jeep. The post above with the hitch rack looks like the way to go. Best of both worlds. No damage and still can haul your shit.

My problem is, I got the bike about a year after I got my Camaro. I never had any intentions of carrying a bike with the Camaro when I bought it, but life changes and you go with what ya got. If I would have known a hitch mounted rack worked, I would have gone that route, but I didn't.

My Camaro will be traded in for an SUV/Truck next spring as I don't really intend on towing jet skis with my Camaro next summer.

[ELIC1]

all good to go.......

[cvchj]

They're 2 inch foam pads, so yes, I guess it rests on the trunk, but it wont damage the paint.

[LBreezie]

Plastidip the trunk lid where the bikes touch the paint. Now you don't have to worry about it. Just get a suv beater for a really good price, most tables and suburbans don't get beat up as bad anymore. I'm sure you won't have to trade the Camaro in

[pickwithaustin]

Originally Posted by Cam_Cam

Cars are, at best, utilitarian investments.

Too true. To some, that is exactly correct.

Then, there are CAR GUYS who're really, really, really into cars. We love them and they define our lifestyle.

When you see things like this, or toaster ovens and fish bowls driving down the road, it reminds the car guys that not everyone is as into cars as they/we are.