Trunk rack.. would this worry you?

[sarahspins]

(please ignore my strap wrapping, I was just fiddling around, I doubt that will hold up since the knots aren't tight. I'll figure out something better before we actually go somewhere)

I see 2 issues...

The spoiler (obviously). I have the sport spoiler which is longer than the stock one, and then the other problem is the lack of clearance on the hatch itself. It is set up and installed according to the specifications in the instructions... and Thule's website makes no distinction between the regular Caliber and the SRT-4 which comes stock with a spoiler like mine (mine came from the dealer that way, but the regular stock spoiler is shorter) so I can only assume if it was a problem they'd know? .

So, before I load up 3 bikes and do some harm... if this was your car, would you adjust the angle of the rack frame? I want to (so I can move the frame out from the hatch a little bit and have more clearance), but I'm not sure if that's safe. I just worry that with 3 bikes on there, the foam can compress enough that the frame WILL hit my car.

Should I worry that a potentially significant part of the weight (with bikes on the rack) is being held by that spoiler? It is bolted on, not just glued/taped or held with clips.

Honestly if I was just transporting my bike I probably wouldn't worry too much.. but mine is lighter than the other two by quite a lit... the idea is not just to carry my bike, but everyone's bikes.

Also, if I anticipate transporting bikes at least a couple of times a week, should I just leave it on? Is that safe? Since I was able to install it without opening the hatch, I worry that someone could steal it just as easily...

[TrekTheKaty]

I never understood those things. My friend has one that seems secure enough, BUT I this is why I bought a hitch rack. It doesn't touch my car and can be padlocked to the hitch. But that didn't answer your question..........

[OakLeaf]

It would worry me, for sure.

My Prius has a spoiler like that, and it's pretty flimsy, I can tell you. (Ask me how it stands up to a garage door. Wait, don't. ) The only trunk rack I've seen people put on Priūs is the Saris Bones rack, which is wider and spans the spoiler.

[HillSlugger]

Is there any way to pass the straps under the spoiler?

I put my Saris rack on over the spoiler on my Subaru Outback but Saris doesn't recommend it at all and it always worries me.

[Tuckervill]

Yes, I've never liked the idea of putting something heavy directly on the glass. I wouldn't want those straps hanging off the spoiler, either.

But, I also think that the arms against the window and the bumper are mitigating the pressure on the spoiler. I just wouldn't let my husband cinch up the straps, because he'd damage something with his incredible strength which he doesn't understand! lol.

Karen

[HillSlugger]

Yes, I've never liked the idea of putting something heavy directly on the glass. I wouldn't want those straps hanging off the spoiler, either.

But, I also think that the arms against the window and the bumper are mitigating the pressure on the spoiler. I just wouldn't let my husband cinch up the straps, because he'd damage something with his incredible strength which he doesn't understand! lol.

Karen

I think most of the weight is on the lower arms and the upper straps. The weight on the spoiler is what worries me.

With my setup I'm not sure there's really anything strongly solid where the top straps anchor. I worry a little bit with one bike, a lot with two bikes. I don't think I'd trust 3 bikes on your setup at all.

[sarahspins]

Is there any way to pass the straps under the spoiler?

I tried, and there isn't enough room to thread them through... I thought about loosening the bolts that hold on the spoiler, but that was way too much effort for tonight.

Saris Bones won't fit my car... at least according to Saris' website.

[Triskeliongirl]

I really don't think you are supposed to attach it to the spoiler........... I don't think its strong enough. I think you either need to remove the spoiler, or get a different style rack.

[ridebikeme]

I would definitely be worried when a part of the rack is being supported by the glass. The glass on our vehicles is not meant to support racks, or any amount of weight from a bike(s). Like others here, I have had people in the past show up to the shop with a broken back window, and a bike that is simply dangling. One customer actually had their bike come off the rack on the highway, and unfortuantely the bike was run over. Roof racks are good options, and so are hitch mounted racks. You will need a towing hitch on your vehicle...1 1/4" or a 2". The larger hitch will accomodate more bikes, but either are great options. In terms of cost, they are roughly in the neighborhood of a roof system.

Personally, I have a 2" hitch rack that supports either 2 or 4 bikes. I have owned a Hollywood rack for many years, and have used it extensively with)out any problems. Be careful of the companies that are marketing lightweight hitch racks... many of them are breaking and have been recalled.(Thule)

[Tuckervill]

I'd get a hitch put on that sucker, and get a hitch rack. Even a hitch rack from a big box store would make me feel better than that one does.

I get my hitches at etrailer.com. In case you're thinking they don't make hitches for your car...I had one on my VW Beetle! It didn't hold much weight, but it held bikes!

Karen

[HillSlugger]

The Saris instructions said that the lower arms should be resting on the bumper, but the LBS shop guy set it up this way for us and I stayed with it.

When I bought my car I was going to put on a hitch mount but decided not to spend the extra money. I really wish I had gone that route.

[Aggie_Ama]

Sorry was out of town! I took some photos but my car is black so not sure you can see everything (sorry the resolutions stinks on these).

I will try to describe how I have mine because it looks different but has worked for the last 3+ years on my Caliber. One thing is mine is only a two carrier and my car has the standard spoiler. It does pull against it which looks really concerning but after 3.5 years and many bike trips I still have a spoiler. We went all the way to Little Rock dragging two bikes on the Caliber. I can't put it one without opening the gate so we might be doing something different. As you have probably figured out there are very few Caliber options short of a hitch (a bit pricey for me) or roof rack (I like my sunroof and pulling in the garage without thinking too much).

1. The top hooks are latched into the part where the gate hinges, does that make since? They are not in the spoiler but the metal of the gate that the spoiler is attached to.
2. The side straps are slide between the gate and side of car. We then use the adjustment to tighten.
3. The rubber rests on the glass and bumper.
4. We hook the bottom under the bumper, there are actually two holes to secure it but we found this by crawling under the car. DO NOT remove it until the car cools down, I burnt myself once having a blond moment.

For scratching the guy at BSS recommended getting that thin foam to wrap around your pedals and bars. At 75k on my car I am not super concerned. The car has been dented by carts, scratched down the side by someone, etc... My husband is super attentive in loading them and uses the extra strap to tie the handlebars so they aren't swinging around.