Highland Bike Carrier

[zbouncer]

Did some search on this site and could not find any solid info on a bike rack/carrier...I'm looking to add a bike carrier to the Yaris...I read some reviews on the Bones 2, but I am worried it will scratch the paint on the hatch and weaken the bumper and rear windshield :iono: http://www.saris.com/p-300-bones-2-bike.aspx. If you use the Bones 2 please give paint updates. The most obvious, and expensive option :eek:, is to go with a hitch and Bike Carrier, has anyone ever used the Highland Sportwing Carrier? http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-Racks/Highland/5801200.html

[YAR1S]

I have a thule roof rack system and altthough it is expensive it works very well and looks good on the car.

I'd definately get something secure....

if your just trying to transport a bike then the strap on hatchback bike carrier works very well and you can pick one of those up for 20-30$ from walmart or used off craigslist/yard sales.

[zbouncer]

The roof rack does look sweet :biggrin:, but it is a little much for me and I read it can kill your mpg due to wind drag :rolleyes:...I had one of those "budget friendly" bike racks on another car and it scratched and dented the trunk lid :eyebulge: (denting not a factor on the hatch but scratching is). Anybody have updates on the Bones 2?

[Zaphod]

I've never really liked those trunk racks either ...

Is it pretty easy to remove the roof rack when you're not hauling bikes?

Also, how does it drive with wind when you have a couple of bikes on top?

Seems like it might act a bit like a sail and make my Yaris rock and sway pretty badly on the highway. :eek:

[YAR1S]

It drives perfectly fine, no more sway-E than usual.... and anything you put on the car will reduce mpg's unless you feel like getting a strap down roof rack but that is a bit of a hassle.
I mostly do city driving so I dont notice the drop in mpgs and didnt notice it when I did a lot of highway driving to school 50 miles a day monday thru friday.

AND I have both a basket and bike tray on it.....

meh either way Im impressed with my roof rack.

[zbouncer]

Lol, true any weight and/or object added to a car will reduce mpg...did you guys checkout that Highland Sportwing Carrier, if any thoughts?

[zbouncer]

I'm buying a Marin bike from my boss tomorrow :thumbup: and would like to get your opinions on this style bike rack :confused:
http://www.etrailer.com/tv-demo-highland-sportwing-5801200.aspx

[Brianr4]

Looks like it hold securely. Just not sure how long it would last since it just clips off like that. Seems like it would be super easy for somebody to just walk up and unclip and have half the rack.
I just put a hitch from etrailer on my hatchback and bought a Yakima Doubledown rack that holds 4 bikes.
I will probably never carry that many though.
They only make them in a 2, 4 or 5 capacity. And there are times I might have 3 bikes.

[zbouncer]

Looks like it hold securely. Just not sure how long it would last since it just clips off like that. Seems like it would be super easy for somebody to just walk up and unclip and have half the rack.
I just put a hitch from etrailer on my hatchback and bought a Yakima Doubledown rack that holds 4 bikes.
I will probably never carry that many though.
They only make them in a 2, 4 or 5 capacity. And there are times I might have 3 bikes.

Unfortunately I don't hit the trails enough to really leave in on the car for anytime longer than the trip to the park, and once we get there it should be easy enough to just remove the arms and stick in the hatch :thumbsup:

[tk1971]

I have a Swagman XC2 hitch carrier. It holds the bike by the tires and a racheting hook holds the frame down.

http://www.autoanything.com/images/products/large/bike_ski_racks/swagman_xc_2_bike_rack.jpg

My rack has outlived 3 cars.

[zbouncer]

Sweet rack! :laugh:
I ended-up buying the highlander and a curt hitch from Amazon new for $180 shipped. I'll post pics and reviews once installed :smoking:

[Revsson]

I'll be interested in seeing the pics, as I've been thinking about a hitch
style bike rack. :smile:

[zbouncer]

Finally got it done...the bike rack is great quality and has plenty of clearence :headbang:, however the hitch is pushing against up against my bumper a little :mad:. Any ideas of how to release some of that pressure? Should I just cut some slots? :iono:

[Brianr4]

I just installed a Curt hitch from Etrailer. Mine doesn't touch the bumper at all.
Can you loosen the bolts a little and let it slide down just a bit?

[zbouncer]

Tried that, but I think its because I have the S model the bumper is dif?

[Idahotom]

I already had a Montague folding moutain bike that I carry in my airplane, and it easily fits inside the Yaris with room to spare. I've always wondered about the rigs I see with a couple bikes up on the roof, it makes me cringe aerodynamically, drag city! The rear bike rack would be the way to go for me if I didn't have the Montague, and I'd do whatever it took to make it happen before I'd put it up top!

[zbouncer]

As cool as roof racks look, It just isnt the best option for me...plus I already purchased the damn hitch and rack! :mad:
I think I'm going to have to cut the bumper? :iono:

[tk1971]

...Should I just cut some slots? :iono:

Just leave it alone. Doesn't look like it's doing any harm the way it is.

[zbouncer]

Oh believe me I would leave it as is :biggrin: but the pressure of the bumper is closing the gap of the tail-lights:mad: and bumper and causing the edges of the bumper that touch the quarter-panel to stick-out and its annoying and looks just wrong :eyebulge:

[tk1971]

I wonder if it would settle after continued use of the bike rack (leveraged weight bouncing up and down while driving)?

[zbouncer]

I was thinking the same thing, plus the 115* summers here in San Antonio might help...If I loosen the bolts have my girl (all 105lbs of her) stand on the base of rack and re-tighten the bolts it might reduce some stress :confused:

[Brianr4]

I just took a good look at mine and the hitch is just slightly touching the bumper. You really have to get down and look at it to notice.
In your pics it is hard to see how much it is touching because your car is black. I can't tell if it is a shadow or the bumper is actually being pushed up that much.
But I would guess it is because you have the S model, which I think is a few inches lower.

[Brianr4]

Pics of my hitch.

[zbouncer]

Yours is nice and flushed, mine is actually bending the bumper if you look close in that last pic...unfortunately it is not shadows :mad:
I really hate to send back, but I don't think anything less of taking it off and having the actual hitch extended by a shop will fix it. Looks like its back to amazon with this hitch :cry:

[tk1971]

Personally, I'd just put something in the hitch (if let's say you had a 1.25" cargo carrier), and just jump on it for a while to get things to settle down. I know there will be plenty of peeps who'll poo-poo that idea. Then again, there are people who don't think hitch carriers belong on the Yaris.

[zbouncer]

Yeah I'll give it one more shot this weekend and see what happens:thumbsup:...I wonder if the drawtite or hidden hitch will give better clearance...anybody have any experience with one of those hitches and if so how much bumper clearance do/did you have :confused:

[gswell]

i think mine is the hidden hitch. i don't have this problem...

[tk1971]

Yeah, my Drawtite is close, but doesn't actually touch the bumper skin.

[zbouncer]

gswell do you have the S model 3dr liftback :confused:

I tried the whole jumping on the hitch like a bastard recomendation and it did not even budge, which is great if it would have fit! :mad:

So I sent it back to amazon this morning, but kept the bike rack because it is such a good buy...hopefully there is another hitch in the Yaris World that will fit a 09 3dr S liftback? :iono:

[tk1971]

gswell do you have the S model 3dr liftback :confused:

I tried the whole jumping on the hitch like a bastard recomendation and it did not even budge, which is great if it would have fit! :mad:

So I sent it back to amazon this morning, but kept the bike rack because it is such a good buy...hopefully there is another hitch in the Yaris World that will fit a 09 3dr S liftback? :iono:

Must've missed that part about you having the "S" version.

I'd call up etrailer and ask them directly about fit for the "S".

Good luck.

[gswell]

i missed the 'S' part too... my bad, mine is not the 'S'

[zbouncer]

No worries :thumbsup:, I called etrailer and they were not very helpful for advising me on purchasing a hitch for the S model...the lady was like "just buy it and return if it doesnt fit" but expects me to pay for to ship it back and the restocking fee :laugh:
Somebody on this forum has to have a S liftback with a hitch :confused:

[Brianr4]

I would go to a machine shop to see if they can make some extensions to drop the hitch down where it bolts to the body.

[zbouncer]

Yeah I was thinking about that but not sure if it would compromise load capacity, not like I'm going tow a truck or anything crazy but I would hate to drop our bikes at highway speeds.

[tk1971]

You can always remove the "S" body kit from the rear bumper skin.

[zbouncer]

Cosmetically it is not the best option, besides there has to be a hitch that will fit the S model...this is going to suck to have to buy every hitch option and see which one fits when we have a whole forum dedicated to this kind of stuff :iono:
Or maybe I'll be the first to do an install of a hitch on a 3drSLB :drinking:

But still open to more suggestions!:thumbsup:

[tk1971]

You can contact a Canadian Toyota dealer and ask about the OEM hitch fitment on an "S".

The way I see it, you'll strike out with any hitch that is "hidden" because they are designed to only expose the square receiver, so it'll be as close to the non-"S" bumper skin as possible.

You may have to go for a custom job or have a non-"S" hitch modified by a welder.

[zbouncer]

Yeah it looks like I might have to go custom...or maybe re-visit the Saris Bones 2 or 3 bike rack that goes on the hatch http://www.saris.com/vehicle-racks.html

Time to do some craigslist shopping! :headbang:

[zbouncer]

Score! :thumbsup:

Got me a Saris Bones 2 bike rack for a great price on CraigsList :biggrin:
http://www.saris.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_images.tpl&product_id=28&option=com_virtuemart&vmcchk=1&Itemid=57

Just need to buy that plastic trim that goes on top of the bumper where it meets the hatch to prevent and scratches...is that called the cargo trim and anybody know where to buy besides stealership :confused:

[Revsson]

It's called a rear bumper protector.
I thought Microimage sold it, but I couldn't find it there just now.
TRDSparks sells it:
http://www.trdsparks.com/displayparts.php?Mdl_dtl=638&Part_cat=26&parts_id=3429

or here:
http://toyota-parts.toyotapart.com/search/index?query=PT278-52093&x=12&y=10

or another spot:
http://www.toyotapartsales.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=searchCatalogOEM&siteid=214074

or even eBay. Perhaps others can chime in on places to purchase that might be
even cheaper.

I have purchased items from TRDSparks and Microimageonline, and have been pleased
with the fast shipping on items. :thumbup:

I had a Saris Bones 3 that got removed from my storage locker. I never installed it
on the Yaris, but was pleased with it on my old Geo Metro. I'm still thinking about
a hitch mount bike rack like others have done.

[Brianr4]

I got mine from JC Whitney. I think it was made by Bushwacker, not certain though.
I like it better than some that I saw. Mine wraps down the bumper. Some just cover the top.

[zbouncer]

Yeah the OEM one looks like it covers a smaller surface area :confused:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.yarispartsstore.com/images/2009-yaris-bumper-protector-3door.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.yarispartsstore.com/index.php%3FcPath%3D29&usg=__ZdgV4dJZFx-Bt4d3krU-xYH178s=&h=720&w=1080&sz=84&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=uUfhUyVNDs1ylM:&tbnh=76&tbnw=101&ei=coTSTaupMdKEtgem25SQCg&prev=/search%3Fq%3D2009%2Btoyota%2Byaris%2Bbumper%2Bprot ector%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1099%26b ih%3D419%26tbm%3Disch0%2C114&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=82&vpy=52&dur=758&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=140&ty=108&page=1&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&biw=1099&bih=419

As opposed to the Bushwhacker :thumbsup:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.allfenderflares.com/images/l/l2234005.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.allfenderflares.com/13119.html&usg=__Fv5ePTyQBRlnmkQsl2d4PT6uKdM=&h=142&w=250&sz=6&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=kmYOr-j8HNxp6M:&tbnh=103&tbnw=181&ei=HIbSTcjaGIK6tgfBkuCZCg&prev=/search%3Fq%3D2009%2Btoyota%2Byaris%2Bbushwacker%2B bumper%2Bprotector%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26b iw%3D1099%26bih%3D419%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=159&vpy=123&dur=506&hovh=113&hovw=200&tx=116&ty=85&page=1&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0