Cyclists, How to carry bikes on 09 vibe? (trailer hitch?)

[file014]

Shoot, is there even a uhaul hitch yet?

[lovemyraffe]

I don't know if there is a hitch for it yet. Those four trim pieces will come out to add a rack on. As a cyclist I prefer carrying my bikes on the top vs. a hitch mount.

[ned23]

Quote, originally posted by file014 »I just got the 09 vibe 3 days ago. Mine didnt come with a roof rack, but looks like its easy to take out 4 trim pieces and add one. Better yet, I'd prefer to put a uhaul hitch on the vibe and use my hitchmount bike rack. I would just do that, but I dont want to find out that I cant open the hatch with the bike rack attached. Has anyone tried this yet on an 09?Or is there a hitch extender for 1.25" hitches?Shoot, is there even a uhaul hitch yet?Hitch racks are the way to go, IMO. I use a hitch rack. My local bike store was able to order a hitch rack that fits directly into a Class I hitch. No adapter needed. A good hitch racks is articulated and tips down so you can open the hatch. All I do is pull a pin out and the rack tips back. The great thing is that you can bolt or lock the rack to you car and then lock your bikes to the rack, for theft protection. Also, you save on gas and don't have to worry about overhead clearances. I did this with my '04 Vibe as well. The dealer switched the hitch from my trade to my new car for free when I bought the '09. NOTE: The muffler on the '09 was extremely close to the hitch, and made an occasional clanking noise. I got around this by clamping an old piece of tire sidwall to the muffler with two large hose clamps.

[file014]

nm

[ned23]

Quote, originally posted by file014 »so the hatch does hit the bike rack? dangso the old vibe hitch fits the new vibe? I guess thats a lucky thing for us and uhaul.my bike rack (sport rack 3 bike) does fold down, but it seems it would be heavy and difficult to put it back. id rather get an extender and not drop it down.Yes, my particlar rack will interfer with hatch if the rack is in the upright and locked position. It's easy to tip back, though. Yes, the old hitch fit the new vibe (or at least my dealer "made it" fit, I'm not sure). The muffler on the 2009 will bang into the old hitch, though, if the car hits a bump or something like that. It sits about 1/2 an inch away and is mounted on rubber mounts. This is one reason why I miss the top window hatch on the 09. On my 2004 I could always jsut open the window part of the hatch with the bike rack on. It was also handy for carrying long items that stuck out the back of the car.

[Caretaker]

I bought the same hidden hitch for my 03 and 09. The 6 holes underneath are exactly the same, although since NUMMI does not put any plugs in their hitch holes (reportedly the Ontario plant does), you may have to run a wire brush and WD-40 into any holes that have been exposed to road/rain/muck. Having the hitch is the only way to go. There are gobs of accessories that will fit into the hitch to include cargo baskets to keep all the hardware store junk (bags of soil/mulch) from ever entering your vehicle.

[ned23]

Quote, originally posted by maxx4me »I bought the same hidden hitch for my 03 and 09. The 6 holes underneath are exactly the same, although since NUMMI does not put any plugs in their hitch holes (reportedly the Ontario plant does), you may have to run a wire brush and WD-40 into any holes that have been exposed to road/rain/muck. Having the hitch is the only way to go. There are gobs of accessories that will fit into the hitch to include cargo baskets to keep all the hardware store junk (bags of soil/mulch) from ever entering your vehicle. Don't forget the ubiquitous lighted skull hitch protector! http://store.uhaul.com/Hitch_c...Cover

[file014]

well I think Im going to get the hitch anyway, and if the tailgate smacks it, Ill get this parthttp://store.uhaul.com/Hitch_b...apterand a 2" bike rack. my current rack is 1.25" and fits my cav and I have to use an adaptor with my truck. Ill just get the opposite adapter to lengthen and use a 2" bikerack.

[file014]

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