[robobass]

I was given this universal rack. I think I've got it set up properly, and it seems like it's all in order. Still, it still seems like there's an incredible amount of force pulling on the upper lip of the hatch door. Has anyone had good/bad results doing this? View photos here.
Edit: I guess I need to get another tag to hang behind the bikes, and/or maybe figure a way to raise them higher. Here in Germany the cops aren't very anal about blocking the rear tag with bikes, but the wheels are maybe too low.

 

[ExBrick]

I'd be more concerned about the width increase, go down a country lane and swipe the bikes off by mistake...!

Get some roof bars and roof-mounted cycle carriers, the Thule 530/532 are great.

 

[Bezste]

That doesn't look quite right to me.

I used a Holywood universal bike rack (3-bike) on my 156SW many, many times without issue - But, the bikes were much higher up than you've got them. In fact, the bottom of the bikes wheels were about level or slightly above the rear lights of the car.

Difficult to tell from your photos, but the rack looks kinda similar to mine. My topmost bar (you have feet instead) was much higher up the rear window and the roof straps went OVER the spoiler without touching it.

The arms (where you place the bikes) were at a much steeper angle, pointing up at about 45 degrees to the rear window.

My rack also has six straps, two top, two to the sides and two to the bottom (underside).

I always placed the bottom of the rack slightly above the rear bumper so that when all 3 bikes were on and everything was tightened up, it just about rested on it.

Hope all that makes sense.

 

[Bezste]

Found a pic of mine and this is more or less how it looked on the SW:

 

[robobass]

Width increase. Good point! I do have a top rack, but I was thinking that this would be a better mpg option on long trips. The last post shows the bikes being very high, which would create a lot of wind resistance compared to my setup. Maybe I should take off the wheels. Still, my main question was about stability. It seems that I shouldn't worry too much about that.

 

[hdseven]

robobass that rack is sooooo wrong.....to me it looks like it could be upside down?
the arms that support the bikes should be at the top

maybe a pic of it without bikes on??

no probs at all lugging my bike on the rear of old sportwagon.......i took wheels off and put then on the arms the bike was sat on........keeps width down and no need for light board

what u gotta remember is lights and number plates is obscured u need a light board.......or the police will pull you for sure

Gary

 

[Bezste]

I'd be more concerned with the bikes ripping off your hatch if you use the rack like that!

With the bikes higher, gravity is pushing down onto the rear (chasis) of your car, not trying to peel off your hatch.

I drove for over 200 miles with 3 bikes in the higher position, didn't need a light board cos you can see the lights and number plate. Didn't notice any difference in mpg.

hdseven makes a good point - are you sure you have it the right way around?

 

[steveisfrowning]

couple of decent bumps and it looks like it would punch through the glass

 

[robobass]

I'd be more concerned with the bikes ripping off your hatch if you use the rack like that!

With the bikes higher, gravity is pushing down onto the rear (chasis) of your car, not trying to peel off your hatch.

I drove for over 200 miles with 3 bikes in the higher position, didn't need a light board cos you can see the lights and number plate. Didn't notice any difference in mpg.

hdseven makes a good point - are you sure you have it the right way around?

I've no clue how it's supposed to look! I got it from a giveaway pile and it has no labelling.
Thanks for the advice though. My biggest worry was the tension on the straps and the hooks on the hatch lip. Will raising up the bikes reduce this by much, though?

 

[Bezste]

Any chance of taking some more pix, with it off the car and showing all the straps?

Having it higher will deffo take some of the strain off.

 

[robobass]

Any chance of taking some more pix, with it off the car and showing all the straps?

Having it higher will deffo take some of the strain off.

Thanks. Too dark now. Tomorrow though.