Rear Bumper Structure - Bike Rack on a Camaro

[Rogue Leader]

Hey everyone, is anyone familiar with the structure behind the plate (also are there 4 holes or only the two bottom ones)?

Reason I ask is I plan to install this : http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/unliplmobica.html on my Camaro and it needs to bolt to the plate mounts. I've tried to use a standard strap on bike mount but the body seams on the trunk are too tight, the spots where the hooks can get (the center between the taillights) straps can't get tight enough and eventually it gets loose. Bad news with a $3000 bike at 55 mph!

And before anyone gets bent about installing a bike rack on a Camaro, this is my only car and I do a lot of Triathlons and TT racing, I can't keep borrowing my moms car every time I have a race. This rack seems to work fine and will cause minimal if any damage to my car.

[Grandeos]

Loose the bikes...... race your Camaro !!!

[Moorepheus]

Originally Posted by Grandeos

Loose the bikes...... race your Camaro !!!

[2001ragtop]

This link shows a 2010 Camaro being tested and it has a tow-hitch installed in the back (scroll down to the 5th photo):
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3616

Here is the bike carrier that attaches to any tow-hitch: http://www.discountramps.com/hitch-bike-carrier.htm

This to me is the simplest solution. I would NOT apply forces on your trunk lid or bumper.

If they don't sell the toe-hitch assembly for a Camaro, I am sure they will soon or you could work with a fabrication shop to make one, or to adapt the one from a mustang to work.

[chrisinlittlerock]

OMG!!! Don't do that to this car.

[rolnslo]

I don't think that rack is going to work with the Camaro. There really isn't any structure behind the license plate area that is solid enough to hold it. That entire area will flex with very little pressure and those black things you see are plastic too.

Take a look at this photo I took of the back of mine without the plate installed.

[High res version]

[Rogue Leader]

Originally Posted by rolnslo

I don't think that rack is going to work with the Camaro. There really isn't any structure behind the license plate area that is solid enough to hold it. That entire area will flex with very little pressure and those black things you see are plastic too.

Take a look at this photo I took of the back of mine without the plate installed.

[High res version]

Cant see flickr at work but it comes with deep screws to reach the metal bumper that is inside the bumper cover. Is it the best solution? maybe not but a strap on one just doesn't work.

I mean this whole assembly is under 25 pounds with my bike (carbon fiber) as well the weigth is being held by the strap that goes to the trunklid. Heck the picture they have is on the back of a Lotus!

And yes we have seen the tow hitch on the car. I am NOT installing tow hitch and cutting a chunk out of the rear diffuser for it. This is something that can be removed and is practically gone aside from a little box at the bottom of the plate.

[rolnslo]

Originally Posted by Rogue Leader

Cant see flickr at work but it comes with deep screws to reach the metal bumper that is inside the bumper cover. Is it the best solution? maybe not but a strap on one just doesn't work.

I mean this whole assembly is under 25 pounds with my bike (carbon fiber) as well the weigth is being held by the strap that goes to the trunklid. Heck the picture they have is on the back of a Lotus!

And yes we have seen the tow hitch on the car. I am NOT installing tow hitch and cutting a chunk out of the rear diffuser for it. This is something that can be removed and is practically gone aside from a little box at the bottom of the plate.

Ah, well, I'd attach the picture instead but haven't been having any luck with the upload process on this site today.

Basically, behind the two lower license plate holes, there is nothing for you to attach the screws to. Nothing but about 3-4 inches of air between the holes in the fascia (that aren't threaded) and the actual metal on the back of the car.

[Rogue Leader]

Originally Posted by rolnslo

Ah, well, I'd attach the picture instead but haven't been having any luck with the upload process on this site today.

Basically, behind the two lower license plate holes, there is nothing for you to attach the screws to. Nothing but about 3-4 inches of air between the holes in the fascia (that aren't threaded) and the actual metal on the back of the car.

Cool thanks for the info. I am gonna have to pull my plate and make some exact measurments. Then maybe I can fabricate a piece of metal to go between that and the bumper and put deep bolts through both.

[k0jdd]

Originally Posted by Rogue Leader

Cool thanks for the info. I am gonna have to pull my plate and make some exact measurments. Then maybe I can fabricate a piece of metal to go between that and the bumper and put deep bolts through both.

No holes in my diffuser...

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...257#post745257

[Rogue Leader]

Originally Posted by k0jdd

No holes in my diffuser...

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...257#post745257

That looks cool I will consider it if I can't find a way to make this solution work. I mean we are talking about a 19 lb bike and a under 5 lb carrier here. A lot of the weight is borne by the edge of the trunklid and the strap that holds it there.

[scuba264]

Bumpin a pretty old thread here, but did you make any progress on a bike rack? I do a lot of mountain biking here in PA and was just wondering today how a rack would work on the back.

Hopefully I can talk my buddy into driving most of the time, but he's had a good run of car troubles lately so come spring that may not happen as often as I'd like.

[CamaroC-17]

Dont do it!!! You will scratch your car! No matter what you do to prevent it...those pedals on a bike will dig in! Happened to my old car