Recently installed a Hidden Hitch on my '05 E. Using a Thule bike rack salvaged from my last vehicle. I read somewhere on this forum (or I had a nightmare) that there was a need to support hitch mounted bike racks via strap to the E because of the nature of the E's frame. Anyone use the Hidden Hitch for a bike rack? Interested in experiences.

Bumb to the top - Anyone have any info on this topic?

I use a bike rack with my U-Haul 2" receiver...but not a 1.25" HH.

I do not use a strap.

me too. yakima hitchfork on uhaul 2". does just fine with no additonal support carrying four bikes.

Recently installed a Hidden Hitch on my '05 E. Using a Thule bike rack salvaged from my last vehicle. .

So what your experiences with the combination? More or less wiggle than on the previous car? Any looseness in the Hitch? What was the previous car and hitch? Same 1 1/4"? How authoritative was this recommendation for a strap? Where they talking of 1" poly webbing with a hook that would fit around the top edge of the upper tailgate? Have you tried such webbing, and does it make any difference in the wiggle of the bikes?

paulj

Thanks for the responses. Not sure where I read that concern about supporting a bike rake because of the E's frame configuration. In answer to the previous posters question, I used this rack on my Grand Prix without a problem - transported up to three bikes up to 1000 miles per trip. Normally I put my road bike and my wifes hybrid inside the E. On occassion we take the bikes and a passenger or two so the outside rack becomes a necessity. I seldom travel without my Specialized Roubaix Comp- never know when I need to crank out some miles or so to clear the brain. Love the fact that I can put this bike inside the E - the bike cost more than my first 3 cars combined. ( that should tell how old I am!)

Unless your Gran Prix dates from the 60s before unibody construction, its hitch mounting frame rails were no more heavy duty than the Element's. Based on a quick glance at some hitch installation instructions for a 2000 Gran Prix (on etrailer) I'd say the Element's hitches can stand the forces of a bike rack better. All the Element hitches use 3 well spaced mounting points - the 2 frame rails and the tow loop right behind the receiver box.

paulj