Using the floor railings to store a bike

[buldir]

Hello all. I got a new '05 Vibe AWD last week and wanted to say thanks to all those who have posted...I did my homework before making the purchase and this site helped out a lot. I recently bought a Hidden Hitch from etrailer.com and a Draw-Tite TripleX Folding 3 Bike Carrier for hauling bikes. The package hasn't arrived yet, but I am excited to install it. Other than putting the seats down and tossing the bike in the back, is there a way to use the rails built into the flooring/trunk to store a bike? I remember the guy at the dealership saying something about clamps that fit into the rails and attach to the front forks of the bike. What's the scoop? Thanks.

[millster]

First, welcome. Second, I actually made one myself that just hooks into the rails in the floor. It really works fairly well. In fact, if it's something you were interested in doing, I would probably sell mine. I no longer own a Vibe so it isn't of much use to me.http://homepage.mac.com/wmill/....html

[Luna]

Buildir, I'm curious to see how the carrier you ordered works out. We have been thinking of getting a different carrier. Right now we use one that hooks into the spare tire carrier on hubby's SUV. It's not as bike friendly as we'd like and takes forever to load up if we don't want anything to rub wrong. The question is whether to get a different carrier for his car or one for my vibe.Millster, I don't quite get how your carrier works. Is it just for one bike? Do you have to remove the front tire?

[millster]

Yes, It's just for one bike and you remove the front tire.

[buldir]

Thanks for the replies. millster, that looks interesting...and I'll keep it in mind. Yes, I will definitely post back with the details of the install and use. Here's what I keep coming across with various Google searches: The tracks in the cargo bay floor are the basis for a series of dealer installed accessories currently under development, including an inboard bike rack, pet restraining screen and a removable picnic table.I can't find this "inboard bike rack" anywhere.

[Luna]

Removable picnic table...that sounds like our Honda!We are thinking of a roof rack, but have never used one before and don't know how hard it would be to load it. Lifting expensive bikes over my head and trying to reach the racks could be interesting.Something that goes on the back of the vibe and locks might be good. We love having a locking one now...with hubby's old car rack, he was always worried the bike(s) would disappear if he left it unattended for even a minute.

[Viben' round]

check out http://www.yakima.com they have everything, althoug their builder page only shows using the existing rails. you can get a pair of Towers and a pair for the rails and then you can use more rack stuff.

[buldir]

Luna,The goods went on without a hitch. Pun intended. Man that's funny. Anyway, it looked as though the Hidden Hitch was not going to fit, but once you get under the car and move it into place it obviously fits. I am impressed. I used a 12" ratchet wrench with a 19mm socket, despite the install instructions saying 18mm...but what's 1 mm between friends, right? The bike rack went on without issues and works great. The only thing I don't like about the bike rack is that you need a key to unlock the rack in order to fold it down. So, I just slapped the two provided keys onto my wife and I's keychain. Hidden Hitchhttp://www.etrailer.com/produc...5&h=e Draw-Tite TripleX Folding 3 Bike Carrierhttp://www.etrailer.com/Mercha...e=BRF