Hey everyone....I have a 2008 TLS and I want to be able to bring my mountain bike with me. What has anyone done in terms of a bike rack. Roof rack? Install a hitch and do a rear removable rack?

I would love to see some pictures of different set ups.

Thanks!!

 

there's already a few threads regarding this. the search bar can be your best friend

but here, i'll toss you a link.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ight=bike+rack

 

DO NOT....and i mean DO NOT put a trunk rack on your TL. unless you would like to marr your paint and possibly dent your car esp with a MTB.

go with a hitch rack which will mess with your handling with the weight hanging off the back end or a roof rack. i ran a roof rack on my TL for 6+yrs...no issues. i have since retired the TL from bike duty since i have the MDX in my stable and the TL's unfortunate incident earlier this yr which forced the removal of my roof rack. decided for now not to put it back on since my roof line is nice and refinished.

 

I believe some people figured out how to prevent the paint from marring by applying the 3M clear film to where the trunk racks touch the car. It can be purchased pretty inexpensively on eBay. Unfortunately the weight resting on the bumper would still cause it to flex, but hopefully the plastic bumper can withstand it...

 

I'm shopping for a roof rack. Waiting for a deal to pop up on the BM or Craigslist.

 

still not worth it. bumper and trunk dents. no thanks. i guess it's a better alternative to trying to shove your bike into your car!!! disrespect your car AND your bike all at the same time. shameful. you get a nice car, do it right, you're not cruising around in a rental car.

 

REI is having their 20% off sale for yakima racks and accessories during the month of may i believe. just food for thought.

 

It looks like draw-tite has a hitch mount that is easy to install and utilizes the tow hook that is already there then drilling two other holes.....I am tempted at this setup. 100 bucks and definitely a do it yourself job.

 

I just got the draw tite hitch for mine. Just waiting to get a chance to install it. I like the fact that nothing touches the body of the car with the hitch mount bike rack. And no lifting a bike on and off the roof of the car.

 

Unless you really like having new things, used racks can be had for a steal on craigslist. Got a complete yakima rack with 2 bike mounts and fairing for $250 or so. Just needed my own locks and q clips.

 

I have used a trunk rack a handful of times when needed on my TL. I used my trunk rack on my Cavalier and Grand Am for many years with no issues. We even took the Grand Am with two MTB across the state and back with no issues and no noticeable dents or scratches. Now my wife has an Equinox with a hitch so it handles all bike duties these days. I am still considering getting a hitch on my TL in case I want to take my bike with me.

 

is the bike THAT heavy that you can't lift it to the roof? with the TL and the hitch rack...the TL's handling gets all squirrely. but hey...whatever works as long as it doesn't touch the paint!

 

Which part of the rack has to specific to the TL? Just the clips and towers or is it the bars too?

 

the clips are specific to the TL. the bars....width dependent. i think it's the 48" bars...i'd check with the yakima fitment guide. you don't really want the cars extending beyond the width of the rood line...can you say BONK as you step out of your car everytime?? well maybe not bonk perhaps an alternative colorful metaphor.

 

I have a Saris T-bone 3 bike rack. Need the 3 bike version to fit over the spoiler.

 

Id love to see some pics of your set up. + any others out there...especially someone with a TLS that have installed a hitch for bike rack.
thanks!!