wagon owners, what kind of bike rack do you have? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

luckys420 · #1 12-20-2003, 01:25 PM

i need to get a bike rack. and i am just wondering what others have, to see what fits nicely and what looks good. I have a 1980 wagon. I post this here because its seems most of the older wagons are diesels.
thank you
will

kerry · #2 12-20-2003, 02:28 PM

I carry canoes, not bikes, but I have both Thule and Yakima racks. I have used the Thule on the wagon but I think the Yakima gutter rack would fit as well. The factory rack is too flimsy to carry canoes in my opinion.

300TD · #3 12-20-2003, 03:50 PM

I have a Thule gutter mount rack. I have carried bikes, kayaks, lumber, luggage box, etc.. I am very happy with the rack.

I also make sure that all of the rack mounts are equiped with locks - don't want to have the rack disapperar while I am in a parking lot.

I agree, the factory mount is not to be trusted with valuable items on top.

R Leo · #4 12-20-2003, 08:10 PM

I haul a 60# plastic kayak and I have a Yakima "Low Rider" riser assy. It clamps onto the wagon's existing fore 'n aft rails and allows you to use those neato bombproof Yakima cross bars. You could put bikes up there too.

For bikes, I have a thing that I think is called a 'tailgater' that plugs into the 1 1/4" receiver hitch. works pretty good and was cheap (free) too. I pad my bikes from hitting each other with short chunks of those kiddo swim noodle thingys. I strap them to the upright on the tailgater to prevent excessive swinging.

luckys420 · #5 12-20-2003, 11:18 PM

R leo,
is this what you have?
http://www.shopslms.com/160-1549-02.html

Why are the factory rails not to be trusted? or rather, trusted less than the gutters? they seem to be connected well, although i have never taken off the headliner to actually see.
thanks for the help so far. I had no idea these things were so expensive, it might just be cheaper to install a hitch and buy one of the hitch mounted carriers.
will

lrg · #6 12-20-2003, 11:33 PM

I have Thule crossbars that attach to the roof rack and use the Thule bicycle and ski attachments. The roof rack is fine (I put three full size bicycles on top, no problem) just be sure you attach the crossbar close to where the factory roofrack attaches to the top of the car. The roof rack rails can flex a bit and are not particularly strong in the middle area between the factory roof attachment points. I like this system because I can remove the whole thing pretty easily to avoid having to deal with the noise/drag the rack creates. Driving with the Thule system on and the sunroof open is pretty noisy at highway speeds.

R Leo · #7 12-20-2003, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by luckys420
R leo,
is this what you have?
http://www.shopslms.com/160-1549-02.html

Yes, it is the same thing.

The MBZ cross rails are pretty flimsy...I think they're purpose is to keep stuff from sliding around, not support weight. But, those side rails are robust enough to hold a Yak and some bikes if you attach the Thule or Yakima crosspieces intelligently.

Lars · #8 12-21-2003, 04:35 PM

I have a Thule gutter mount rack with extra wide bars, which enables me to carry a canoe and two bikes at the same time. I find that the bike racks that require taking off the front wheel of the bike are much steadier than the ones with a bar that clamps to the bike frame down tube. And there`s less risk of damaging your bike paint.