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

[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.

[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.

[Pedal Wench]

Totally not the answer to your question, but this is why I keep my bikes inside the back of my SUV. I'm just so worried about someone rear-ending me or the rack just falling off.

[smilingcat]

It looks pretty but the top arm on the rear glass really worries me.

And the strap over the spoiler is worrisome too. Can you exchange it with something more compatible with your car?

I've always put my bike inside the car. I worry about getting it crunched in a rear end collision. I worry about falling off. I worry about damaging my car.

[kenyonchris]

MMM. I had a bones rack...I put it on my BMW suv according to the label directions, it seemed to fit well and was secure until one day the bones sort of collapsed in, it sounded like a flock of geese flew into my back window at mach 10. It was still there, but swinging....thank goodness only one bike on. I threw it away, installed a fork mount roof rack and have never looked back. My bikes are ON that baby.

[snapdragen]

I had that type of rack on my Jimmy for about a week. I returned it when I discovered my bike was about to drop while driving on Highway 101. I don't trust them.

[sarahspins]

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.

It's not attached to the spoiler, it's definitely attached to the door frame.. the straps just run over the spoiler... sorry if that was confusing. If I could just take the spoiler off, I totally would... but it houses the center brake light as well as my rear wiper fluid dispenser.. I kind of need those!

MDHillSlug - thanks for the picture. The instructions say to rest the bottom on the "upper deck of the bumper". I wonder if they really mean the ledge on the door, above the bumper? Honestly that would make way more sense..

Thule says this will work on my car, but I'm clearly not getting it! As far as other racks compatible with my car... there really aren't many Saris says only the Guardian will fit, Yakima has nothing, and Thule has the Passage and of course the Speedway. If you look at the options, the Speedway seemed like the way to go.

Aggie_Ama has a caliber too, she says she has a Thule Speedway on hers... I want her to come post and tell me I put it on wrong! I've searched google, searched all the caliber forums I can find, and it seems that no one has any images of one of these installed correctly.

A roof rack is in the future, it's just cost prohibitive at the moment.. $225 for the utility bars, and then more for each bike rack.. it's a little much right now.

[Cataboo]

you can often find thule/yakima rack parts cheap on craigslist. They might not have the footings you need - but you can buy those new, or you can sometimes get them off ebay if someone's sold the car they fit. Roof racks don't cost as much that way.

I wouldn't trust doing your straps like that... and the webbing's gonna maul your paint on your spoiler. my kayak straps maul my car.

I have a hitch mount on my sooobie & have some roof rack bike trays - much more secure and I happened to find both the hitch & the hitch rack on craigslist.

[sarahspins]

Unless I want to drill into my roof (which I absolutely do not!), I'm not sure there are any footings available other than the offical Mopar ones that come with the utility bar kit... which are actually made by Thule.

The footings/bars alone aren't prohibitively expensive, it's the bars + racks for 3 bikes, and it starts getting up there I could probably do the bars after next week, but any racks would have to wait..