2007 M35 Sport Trailer Hitch?
2007 M35 Sport Trailer Hitch?
We just purchased a 2007 M35 sport, our seqoia had a trailer hitch for my wifes bike rack, now I'm in trouble, how can we carry bikes with the car? Wouldn't a trailer hitch look like crap? Or can anyone recommend a good trunk mount bike rack that will not even think about scratching my new baby?
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szh
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Re: 2007 M35 Sport Trailer Hitch? (boetM35)
Welcome to NICO!
Made by a company called "Hollywood Engineering" as I vaguely recall. It has large foam blocks that prevent metal-to-paint contact (I use a blanket too) and reasonable tie-downs with painted metal hooks and cloth/fiber belts. Holds two bikes with ease. The weight is actually not on the trunk since the rack stands up the bikes pretty vertical, and the bottom foam blocks rest a bit on the bumper.
It is not perfect, but usable. The only thing I do not like about it is the metal hooks at the top and bottom of the trunk on the fiber bands that hold everything down. These do not scratch too much, and they are in relatively unnoticed locations.
I do check the foam blocks regularly and make sure they do not have any damage or dirt on them. Plus, I lay down a soft flannel blanket beneath those blocks anyway, so they do not touch the car directly. Finally, my practice also involves instant removal of the rack when I get home ... it does not stay mounted permanently! My wife does not like to do this, hence she is looking at an SUV or wagon (just lay the bike for my son down inside the vehicle!)
Regardless, as I mentioned, my car is also 3 years old and I am less concerned about it than I would be with a brand-new car.
Overall, I think the trailer hitch is a better idea, although I have not used one ever myself.
Z
Hmmm ... I feel for you! I think the trailer hitch would not be too obtrusive per se. Personally, I use a trunk bike rack and live with the consequences - but my car is three years old now.boetM35 wrote:We just purchased a 2007 M35 sport, our seqoia had a trailer hitch for my wifes bike rack, now I'm in trouble, how can we carry bikes with the car? Wouldn't a trailer hitch look like crap? Or can anyone recommend a good trunk mount bike rack that will not even think about scratching my new baby?
Made by a company called "Hollywood Engineering" as I vaguely recall. It has large foam blocks that prevent metal-to-paint contact (I use a blanket too) and reasonable tie-downs with painted metal hooks and cloth/fiber belts. Holds two bikes with ease. The weight is actually not on the trunk since the rack stands up the bikes pretty vertical, and the bottom foam blocks rest a bit on the bumper.
It is not perfect, but usable. The only thing I do not like about it is the metal hooks at the top and bottom of the trunk on the fiber bands that hold everything down. These do not scratch too much, and they are in relatively unnoticed locations.
I do check the foam blocks regularly and make sure they do not have any damage or dirt on them. Plus, I lay down a soft flannel blanket beneath those blocks anyway, so they do not touch the car directly. Finally, my practice also involves instant removal of the rack when I get home ... it does not stay mounted permanently! My wife does not like to do this, hence she is looking at an SUV or wagon (just lay the bike for my son down inside the vehicle!)
Regardless, as I mentioned, my car is also 3 years old and I am less concerned about it than I would be with a brand-new car.
Overall, I think the trailer hitch is a better idea, although I have not used one ever myself.
Z