Chanticleer

I'm a recent owner of an 05 TL (love it), but I've spent the past 7 years in an SUV, which was a percfect match since I'm an avid mountain biker. I own a nice, hitch-mount Saris bike carrier (Class III hitch) and would like to stay with that, but I'm not sure if it's economical or makes any sense to try to put a hitch on the TL- especially a III.

I do not want a roof rack, so that's out. Does anyone here own a trunk mount that installs easily? I cringe at the thought of not using a hitch mount, but a trunk mount seems to be my best option.

Anyone have any suggestions? I'm open to them. Thanks!

A SiQ TL

Try this...https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...t=bicycle+rack

Repecat

Take a look at the Saris trunk mount. It's a nice rack.

brettallica

I was thinking something like this:

http://www.cars.com/features/2001ove...ranger_386.jpg

subinf

I don't think you are going to find a class III hitch for the TL. You can get an adapter to make the rack fit into the receiver but that might be pushing it. I've heard rather positive things about the Thule trunk mounts.

Brad G

+1

TL1999

I do not think my Acura is for putting a bike rack on or any other kind of rack

i will buy a new truck before I put a rack on my roof or my truck

this is my

subinf

Well if you only have one car and love to bike...

mjdeegan

I have the Saris Bones 2 bike rack. Fits nicely around the rear wing spoiler.

First time I used it I noticed some scratches on the trunk, however. So I would recommend putting a towel on the trunk to prevent this before putting on the rack.

ranger

I am glad you brought up this subject again. I have a bike rack that I used on my '97 CL with a class II receiver hitch. There is no way I could fit that hitch on my '06 TL. Since I still have the rack, I would like a receiver hitch for the TL. Anyone seen one?

Coincidently, I have a Ranger pickup with a class III hitch and have adapted the bike rack to it. Truth is, we are not really truck people and hate to use it for more than a two-hour trip. It would be nice to take the bikes on our TL but I don't want a roof or trunk rack no matter how cleverly it is designed.

subinf

Quite a few hitches available for the TL now. I've seen more than expected.

HiTEC

I have a class 1 hitch on my wifes cars that we put on for a hitch mount bike rack. We got a rack that goes into a class 1, or has an adapter for the larger class 3 receiver. All you really need is a class 1 for a bike rack.

hrglas

I second this. i take my bike everywhere with me, and Saris is probably the best brand out there for trunk mounted racks....very sturdy!

dunsterj

I have installed a Class 1 hitch on my 06' TL and a Saris T-Rax 2-bike carrier. I am very happy with the convenience. The hitch connector is minimally visible. I believe that I can get the rack off quicker than any trunk mounted solution.
I am able to open my trunk with the bikes fully loaded and not be concerned with trunk scratches. Only caution is grade changes can scrape bottom of rack "stinger" when fully loaded. I can post photos if you are interested.

vector7777

Where did you get the hitch installed? and what brand of hitch was used?

Thanks.

terminex

I got a draw-tite hitch for mine. I also have an adapter that fits in the 11/4 receiver, and then I can connect my Yakima Full swing 4 to the adapter.

works great.

sloppysam

I'm interested in the hitch option myself. For those of you that got a hitch, was it a bolt on, or did the shop have to weld?

Sam

gammah

I have an 06 TL and went to U-Haul and got a Hitch installed (goes on the BACK underneath of your car, just like the trucks). The out the door price is $173 with CA tax, install, etc and has lifetime warranty. You can search for yours here: http://store.uhaul.com/hitches.aspx .. Also call around at a couple of your UHAUL's and see what it would cost out the door.

I then bought this bike rack, Yakima Bike Rack link .

Also since the U-Haul hitch is 1 1/4" input, I had to buy this adapter found here: Bike Adapter link

Finally, I got this lock so that way my bike rack does not get stolen here: Lock link

So far, I am able to carry 3 bikes without any problems. Each bike weighs about 44 pounds. Of course I am cautious of dips, holes, etc. Also the way that U-Haul mounted my hitch is awesome. I can have my bike rack on and still open the trunk all the way!!

In summary, this is what I got so I can put a bike on the back of my 06 TL:
- U-Haul hitch
- Yakima bike rack (Kingpin 4) <- comes with 2" adapter
- Yakima 1 1/4" adapter
- Yakima dead lock


Gammah

gammah

I got the hitch from U-Haul and they installed it. They bolted it on. They did an excellent job. They had to take off the bottom cover though since the hitch is too big.


Gammah

alexdjr82

Could you post a pic of the hitch installed on your car. Is it somewhat hidden?

sloppysam

Hey Gammah.

what's the bottom cover? pic would be great if you have them!

Thanks again.

Sam

gammah

I do not know how to post a pic. I wouldn't say its that hidden, but it also is not sticking out from the bottom so that is what makes it nice. You will have to see the pic. How do I post a pic?


Gammah

gammah

You know where the spare tire is right? Well, if you look at the car from underneath where that spare tire is, you will see like a gray plastic cover. That could not be put back on because of the hitch. I will post pics once I figure out how to.

sloppysam

Sweet.... Can't wait.

Sam

gammah

Ok, here it is:






























I hope these show up. My first post with pics. I will get pics when I have time without the bike rack on it.

Enjoy.


Gammah

billycuth

Chanticleer, are you a Coastal Carolina Alumn?

sloppysam

Thanks for the pics Gammah!

That looks really clean and it doesn't look intrusive at all. I was worried that when the bike rack isn't installed, there would be a hitch sticking out from the bumper, but from the looks of it, the hitch itself won't pertrude out.


Sam

dunsterj

I performed the installation myself.
The hitch bolts to the rear tow hitch and requires two holes be drilled into the floor pan of the trunk to bolt the stabilizer bars in place. I used high-temp RTV sealant on the through-trunk bolts. The exterior plastic shroud under the trunk requires either removal or slight trimming to accommodate the hitch. I sketched the hitch receiver dimensions onto the shroud once I had removed it and gradually removed the minimum amount of material using a Dremel with cutting wheel. The bowl-like shroud now snuggly fits around the hitch receiver as it projects rearward.

I did encounter one problem.
The car is designed to only accommodate a Class 1 (1.25") hitch (This doesn't mean people haven't tried other things). I accidentally purchased a Class 2 (1.25") bike rack. The bike rack stinger fits into the receiver but the receiver pin holes don't and cannot align. I was told by the hitch manf. that they stamp a "stop" in the receiver of the hitch. This stop is supposed to work in conjunction with the length of bike rack stinger for Classes 1-2. Ultimately, preventing idiots (almost me) from overloading a Class 1 hitch with the weight of a Class 2 bike rack.
I can post photos of the rack and hitch tomorrow.

Chanticleer

I'm not a Coastal Carolina alum, but do live in SC. I'm a Gamecock fan and an English buddy of mine stuck me with the monicker over in Europe and it stuck.

sloppysam

hey dunsterj, was your hitch a u-haul hitch too?

Sam

gammah

BTW, U-Haul does not make the hitch. They buy the part from their supplier and then they install it. No where on my hitch does it say U-Haul.


Gammah

dunsterj

My hitch was made by Draw-Tite.