Lotus99

Nice, so it sounds like you did it yourself? The only tricky part per the install guide (below) seems to be getting the exhaust hanger off and on. Any special tools you used?

And when it says you need to leave the air dam on the passenger side permanently off the car, is it referring to the cover of the air compressor for the shocks? That doesn't cause debris to get in?

PS Did you know this about your rack?

Capro

I had a shop do it, because they were going to have the car up on a lift for some other work. I'm assured that it is well within the capability of an average "car person" to do themselves. I just didn't want to take the time since it was going in anyway.


Regarding removing the "air dam" - If you look closely in the photos you'll see that it is still in place. In this photo you can make out the bracket to which the compressor is attached (it has a white bmw part sticker on it) and the edge of the passenger-side air dam is visible at the bottom of the image:

The center "air dam" is an entirely separate piece. I believe this is so it can be removed for the factory-hitch install, but works equally well in this case.


Yes I was aware of the bottle-opener feature. Maybe that is a good reason to go Yakima over Thule.

Lotus99

Thanks, good to hear. Wonder if it's the center air dam you leave out, that they call it passenger side. I think I might have read of someone even just trimming the piece. It'll be obvious to me I'm guessing when I go to install it.

I asked etrailer about why the Thule costs more, and this is what I got back:

"The main difference is the Thule rack has a better cradle for the bikes, it has a cushioned almost shock like cradle. Also the Thule rack can handle 3 bikes at 35 pounds each and the Yakima rack can only handle 30 pounds per bike."

norsecarnut

It's worth comparing the models in person because there are differences between the mounting interface for the bikes. I forget which one but I looked last summer and one brand or model would not allow the mount/cradle to rotate or be very adaptable to different frame designs.

For a basic road bike with an open top tube, this difference is not realized or appreciated but I have to fit a downhill bike, modern full suspension with almost no "triangle" area, and standard road frame designs. I feel like Thule has better designs in some of these interface areas.

Some have better receiver connection designs too. They are not all the same, often even within the same brand.

Lotus99

Thx for those tips. I'll try to check them out in person.

The one advantage of Thule for me also would be that my box, bike and roof racks are all Thule and use the same lock key.

If you have odd frames, you can use the Thule adapter (with a Yakima rack too I'd guess) to complete the "triangle":
.
.

norsecarnut

While those adapters are a nice idea, I would never use one as it would hang the wheels a lot lower than I am comfortable with doing and also allows the bike to swing against whatever is on either side.

---

funny that cannondale was used as an example because it will go on most of the current racks without much trouble by putting one arm in the small triangle and one under the down tube. Pretty simple really.

My bikes that are tricky have no such easy spots but can be done with some creativity. I'll try to dig up some photos.

95m3ltw

Hi,

I recently installed the Curt 11194 on a 08 535xiT. I am having a hard time finding the right wires for the light adapter, anyone have links or colors for the proper wires? Everything I have found is for the pre LCI models which is different. Think the wiring changed in 04/07.

Thanks

95m3ltw

Anyone?

oclvframe

Resurrecting this thread!!! (sorry 95m3ltw...don't know about light adapters).....

I am resurrecting, though, because I just spoke to the folks at forklift central ( forkliftcentral.com ) They specialize in hidden 2" receiver hitches. That being said, they need a donor vehicle and a decent demand to fabricate them. The measuring/fabrication process takes a week but the end result is a complete 2" hitch system. Anyone near Kent Washington want a free hitch as well as anyone wanting to get on a group-buy type list for one once it's available?

-r

norsecarnut

Dude, it's not Fork-lift, it's TORKlift

They could just rebuild mine better....it's basically their prototype. I'll call them.

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