[tmx]

Anyone have experience with these? http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/bike-carrier-covers/27733

Pros? Cons?

Initial concerns:
I'm driving a Subaru, not the required camper or similiar hauler so will I get pulled over constantly for not being able to see out my rearview mirror?

Does it really stay closed or will I have flying cape issues every hundred miles? Or possibly so much gunk in every nook, cranny and bearing of the bikes that I'll need an overhaul by the time I get them across the country?

Any other wind-flow issues?

Since it will block the rear license plate even more than a hitchrack alone, what's the general concensus (legal?!) of taping the license in the rear-window?

 

[w00dy]

I vote garbage bags.

 

[stosh]

Oh snap, if you're getting the Presidents club price can you pick one up for me?

 

[tmx]

I vote garbage bags.

Thanks. Any thoughts or hints on these two issues with g-bags?:
1.) Would not be reusable.
2.) Don't they tear like crazy? Can't have muck in nooks and bearings especially when traveling without SuperWrench. Nor do I want the world to ever have a glimpse of what I'm carrying.

 

[stosh]

Thanks. Any thoughts or hints on these two issues with g-bags?:
1.) Would not be reusable.
2.) Don't they tear like crazy? Can't have muck in nooks and bearings especially when traveling without SuperWrench. Nor do I want the world to ever have a glimpse of what I'm carrying.

The single review on the above product doesn't sound promising.

 

[sanjuro]

Uh, I knew the pic would be on the back of a RV.

Senior citizens who probably ride once a month. Plus putting the bikes behind a moving box probably protects it from the wind.

I've driven 1000's of miles with my bikes on my Accord mounted hitch rack, and I never once thought, "OMG the bugs!". Actually, I've never noticed any debris on my bikes from traveling.

And, you are taking an unnecessary safety risk by blocking out your back mirror for obviously a very long trip.

 

[tmx]

Oh snap, if you're getting the Presidents club price can you pick one up for me?

Hi Stosh!! Been a long time. Hope married life is treating you well.

And yes, if I do then I will.

 

[Mr Jones]

Behind a motorhome.. I'd say it's fine. Behind a subie.. all you'll have is a giant parachute creating huge amounts of drag. It'll eventually tear. Just use 2 really hefty bike cables and these locks to help deter jealous passersby.

 

[LOOnatic]

Methinks Woody is making a funny.

It would seems like unless the cover is a tight fit it will slap like a sail when used behind a small car where it will see alot of air flow.
Legally, a copper might mess with ya if the plate is blocked from view but probably not unless you get pulled over for something else.

 

[tmx]

Uh, I knew the pic would be on the back of a RV.

Senior citizens who probably ride once a month. Plus putting the bikes behind a moving box probably protects it from the wind.

I've driven 1000's of miles with my bikes on my Accord mounted hitch rack, and I never once thought, "OMG the bugs!". Actually, I've never noticed any debris on my bikes from traveling.

And, you are taking an unnecessary safety risk by blocking out your back mirror for obviously a very long trip.

Not worried about bugs but definately worried about road grime oily muck in bearings and such. As well as hiding valuable cargo from sight of bike thieves.

Yes, possible safety risk which is also a bit of a concern. However I've driven box trucks many times, as well as my old van filled to the ceiling with bikes and gear where rear view was blocked so I'm pretty comfy going by side mirrors. Difference here is that it seems to be legal (?) to not have rearview access in box trucks...and van windows were tinted so one couldn't tell I wasn't able to use rearview. Have not done it yet with the Subaru so you've convinced me to do a test run with rearview blocked. Thanks!

 

[tmx]

This was helpful more quickly than I thought. I guess I just need to stop being mental about road grime and thieves having a gander at the goods. ugh...I miss that Astro something fierce.

Thanks folks.

 

[w00dy]

Any chance you could pull the wheels and just put it inside? Throw a blanket over and you're golden.

 

[stosh]

Hi Stosh!! Been a long time. Hope married life is treating you well.

And yes, if I do then I will.

Ha, I had to jump on your thread.... but of course you knew that....

 

[CBJ]

Any chance you could pull the wheels and just put it inside? Throw a blanket over and you're golden.

What I would do. That cover is going to get really noisy at speed I would think.

 

[CrabJoe StretchPants]

Grill cover?

 

[stoney]

This was helpful more quickly than I thought. I guess I just need to stop being mental about road grime and thieves having a gander at the goods. ugh...I miss that Astro something fierce.

Thanks folks.

I put 40k miles on my truck driving to races one summer. Rain, sleet, snow (over the Rockies), heat, dust, etc.

Did I get bugs? Yes.
Did I have access to Simple Green and a bucket? Yes.
Did I see any long-term effects on the bikes? No. And this is from the era of ishtty bearings.

For theft prevention on my current Subie, I take the bikes into wherever I am staying. When just traveling I have a Krypto NY Chain attaching the rack to the hitch and then another NY chain through the bikes to the other Krypto chain. I also run cables through all of the wheels and forks. It makes it very time consuming to try and steal anything, and if I am away from the bikes for that long they should be indoors.

 

[stoney]

Another option is a roof box for your gear and put the bikes inside. Otherwise, just lock the hell out of them on the rack.

 

[buildyourown]

It's not illegal to block your back window. There is nothing anywhere that says you need a back window at all actually.
License plate and tail lights however, will need to be visible. That will get you a ticket pretty fast.

As long as your rack is high enough, road grime isn't really an issue.

 

[tmx]

I put 40k miles on my truck driving to races one summer. Rain, sleet, snow (over the Rockies), heat, dust, etc.

Did I get bugs? Yes.
Did I have access to Simple Green and a bucket? Yes.
Did I see any long-term effects on the bikes? No. And this is from the era of ishtty bearings.

For theft prevention on my current Subie, I take the bikes into wherever I am staying. When just traveling I have a Krypto NY Chain attaching the rack to the hitch and then another NY chain through the bikes to the other Krypto chain. I also run cables through all of the wheels and forks. It makes it very time consuming to try and steal anything, and if I am away from the bikes for that long they should be indoors.

Me too, 100% bikes inside overnight or extended length of time out of sight of the car. But I need to save on lodging and sleep in El Subio. I've slept through earthquakes so worried I could sleep through theft. Or be so paranoid I wouldn't get any sleep at all.

If I don't unwheel them and put inside the car (which reduces already limited sleep space), I will wrap the bikes in a tarp while sleeping. Will lock the schnocko out of them whether they're in or out of the car.

Thanks for all the input... and not making fun of my theft paranoia as others too often do. You can never be too careful and all it takes is five seconds to never see your bike again.

 

[stoney]

Me too, 100% bikes inside overnight or extended length of time out of sight of the car. But I need to save on lodging and sleep in El Subio. I've slept through earthquakes so worried I could sleep through theft. Or be so paranoid I wouldn't get any sleep at all.

If I don't unwheel them and put inside the car (which reduces already limited sleep space), I will wrap the bikes in a tarp while sleeping. Will lock the schnocko out of them whether they're in or out of the car.

Thanks for all the input... and not making fun of my theft paranoia as others too often do. You can never be too careful and all it takes is five seconds to never see your bike again.

We had (iirc) 10 bikes - 4 DH, 4 HT DS, 2 FS DS - all of our gear, and all of our tools in the truck. Whoever ended up sleeping in the truck actually had a string tied to their hand AND we had cowbells attached all over the bikes. There was no way to get the bikes off without making a ton of noise.

Look into a cheap 2-person tent and sleeping bag for your travels. that way you can get away with $10/night campsites and be outside with your bikes.

 

[tmx]

We had (iirc) 10 bikes - 4 DH, 4 HT DS, 2 FS DS - all of our gear, and all of our tools in the truck. Whoever ended up sleeping in the truck actually had a string tied to their hand AND we had cowbells attached all over the bikes. There was no way to get the bikes off without making a ton of noise.

Look into a cheap 2-person tent and sleeping bag for your travels. that way you can get away with $10/night campsites and be outside with your bikes.

Need more cowbell! I love it and the string trick.

Tent idea is good as well. So much growing up to do without my van. I've never "camped" without it. D'oh.

 

[jonKranked]

Nor do I want the world to ever have a glimpse of what I'm carrying.

does this mean you're bringing what I think you're bringing?

 

[tmx]

does this mean you're bringing what I think you're bringing?

A bike? Yes. Keep in mind I give my 40 year old Schwinn Collegiate the same security measures as I would an Intense or y'know a whatever.

 

[tmx]

....
For theft prevention on my current Subie, I take the bikes into wherever I am staying. When just traveling I have a Krypto NY Chain attaching the rack to the hitch and then another NY chain through the bikes to the other Krypto chain. I also run cables through all of the wheels and forks. It makes it very time consuming to try and steal anything, and if I am away from the bikes for that long they should be indoors.

What kind of hitch rack do you use on the Sub? And is it sufficient for 2 bikes max total weight 62lbs?

 

[LOOnatic]

does this mean you're bringing what I think you're bringing?

That just boils it all down to 1 simple question nice and sweet. Frankly i'm surprised "it" is not traveling in an armored truck with a fighter jet escort..

 

[tmx]

That just boils it all down to 1 simple question nice and sweet. Frankly i'm surprised "it" is not traveling in an armored truck with a fighter jet escort..

You understand my dilemma. (although i really do treat my grannie bike the same as all others.)

 

[stoney]

What kind of hitch rack do you use on the Sub? And is it sufficient for 2 bikes max total weight 62lbs?

I have a Curt hitch (http://www.izoomgraphics.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=32) and a Yakima Rack (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/RA266L00-Yakima+Holdup+Hitch+Mount+Bike+Rack.aspx?sc=FRGL).

I've had no problem with two DH bikes on it. I have more issues from tire rub due to the lowered suspension and wider tires that I run. When it's fully loaded, I bottom out, but I also am dropped 2" from stock.

 

[stoney]

Although per Loo and Jon, might I just suggest buying a tent, sleeping bag and air mattress? That way you can keep the "bike" in the Subie.

 

[tmx]

I have a Curt hitch (http://www.izoomgraphics.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=32) and a Yakima Rack (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/RA266L00-Yakima+Holdup+Hitch+Mount+Bike+Rack.aspx?sc=FRGL).

I've had no problem with two DH bikes on it. I have more issues from tire rub due to the lowered suspension and wider tires that I run. When it's fully loaded, I bottom out, but I also am dropped 2" from stock.

Gratzi.