Highland Bike Carrier - Toyota Yaris Forums

zbouncer · 06-08-2010, 05:01 PM

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

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

, is to go with a hitch and Bike Carrier, has anyone ever used the Highland Sportwing Carrier? http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-R...d/5801200.html

YAR1S · 06-08-2010, 05:06 PM

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 · 06-08-2010, 05:36 PM

The roof rack does look sweet

, but it is a little much for me and I read it can kill your mpg due to wind drag

...I had one of those "budget friendly" bike racks on another car and it scratched and dented the trunk lid

(denting not a factor on the hatch but scratching is). Anybody have updates on the Bones 2?

Zaphod · 06-08-2010, 05:46 PM

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.

YAR1S · 06-08-2010, 06:25 PM

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 · 06-08-2010, 06:29 PM

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 · 04-20-2011, 06:04 PM

I'm buying a Marin bike from my boss tomorrow

and would like to get your opinions on this style bike rack

http://www.etrailer.com/tv-demo-high...g-5801200.aspx

Brianr4 · 04-20-2011, 08:25 PM

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 · 04-20-2011, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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

tk1971 · 04-21-2011, 08:27 PM

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

My rack has outlived 3 cars.

zbouncer · 04-24-2011, 04:26 PM

Sweet rack!

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

Revsson · 04-25-2011, 08:27 PM

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

zbouncer · 05-03-2011, 03:20 PM

Finally got it done...the bike rack is great quality and has plenty of clearence

, however the hitch is pushing against up against my bumper a little

. Any ideas of how to release some of that pressure? Should I just cut some slots?

tk1971 · 05-05-2011, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zbouncer

...Should I just cut some slots?

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

Brianr4 · 05-03-2011, 11:42 PM

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 · 05-05-2011, 12:51 AM

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

Idahotom · 05-05-2011, 08:36 AM

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 · 05-05-2011, 10:38 AM

As cool as roof racks look, It just isnt the best option for me...plus I already purchased the damn hitch and rack!

I think I'm going to have to cut the bumper?

View Poll Results: Should I cut bottom of bumper to make Curt Hitch fit?
Cut that S#%T!	2	25.00%
Dont cut that S#%T!	5	62.50%
Other...will explain in thread	1	12.50%
Voters: 8. You may not vote on this poll

06-08-2010, 05:01 PM	#1
zbouncer View User's Garage Drives: 2008 Yaris LB 5MT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SAT Posts: 70	Highland Bike Carrier 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 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 , is to go with a hitch and Bike Carrier, has anyone ever used the Highland Sportwing Carrier? http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-R...d/5801200.html

04-20-2011, 06:04 PM	#7
zbouncer View User's Garage Drives: 2008 Yaris LB 5MT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SAT Posts: 70	Back from the Dead I'm buying a Marin bike from my boss tomorrow and would like to get your opinions on this style bike rack http://www.etrailer.com/tv-demo-high...g-5801200.aspx

05-03-2011, 03:20 PM	#13
zbouncer View User's Garage Drives: 2008 Yaris LB 5MT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SAT Posts: 70	Finally got it done...the bike rack is great quality and has plenty of clearence , however the hitch is pushing against up against my bumper a little . Any ideas of how to release some of that pressure? Should I just cut some slots? Attached Images

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06-08-2010, 05:36 PM	#3
zbouncer View User's Garage Drives: 2008 Yaris LB 5MT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SAT Posts: 70	The roof rack does look sweet , but it is a little much for me and I read it can kill your mpg due to wind drag ...I had one of those "budget friendly" bike racks on another car and it scratched and dented the trunk lid (denting not a factor on the hatch but scratching is). Anybody have updates on the Bones 2?

06-08-2010, 05:46 PM	#4
Zaphod Drives: Big Yellow Join Date: May 2009 Location: Somewhere in the vacinity of Betelgeuse Posts: 179	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.

06-08-2010, 06:29 PM	#6
zbouncer View User's Garage Drives: 2008 Yaris LB 5MT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SAT Posts: 70	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?

04-20-2011, 08:25 PM	#8
Brianr4 Drives: 2008 Yaris 3dr Hatchback Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New Orleans Posts: 43	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.

04-21-2011, 08:27 PM	#10
tk1971 Drives: 08 2Dr LB Base, Silver Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SG Valley, SoCal Posts: 237	I have a Swagman XC2 hitch carrier. It holds the bike by the tires and a racheting hook holds the frame down. My rack has outlived 3 cars.

04-24-2011, 04:26 PM	#11
zbouncer View User's Garage Drives: 2008 Yaris LB 5MT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SAT Posts: 70	Sweet rack! I ended-up buying the highlander and a curt hitch from Amazon new for $180 shipped. I'll post pics and reviews once installed

04-25-2011, 08:27 PM	#12
Revsson View User's Garage Drives: 2009 Meteorite Metallic LB MT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southeast Wisconsin Posts: 810	I'll be interested in seeing the pics, as I've been thinking about a hitch style bike rack.

05-03-2011, 11:42 PM	#15
Brianr4 Drives: 2008 Yaris 3dr Hatchback Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New Orleans Posts: 43	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?

05-05-2011, 12:51 AM	#16
zbouncer View User's Garage Drives: 2008 Yaris LB 5MT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SAT Posts: 70	Tried that, but I think its because I have the S model the bumper is dif?

05-05-2011, 08:36 AM	#17
Idahotom Drives: 2008 5 sp. LB Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Idahoi Posts: 268	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!

05-05-2011, 10:38 AM	#18
zbouncer View User's Garage Drives: 2008 Yaris LB 5MT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SAT Posts: 70	As cool as roof racks look, It just isnt the best option for me...plus I already purchased the damn hitch and rack! I think I'm going to have to cut the bumper?