04 FX35 Roof Bike Rack options

J

Jeffzou

Member
Location
OC
Hello

So my wife bought me a great bike for New Years. Want to be able to take it down to the beach to ride. My FX does not have a tow hitch and all of the options I've researched relative to hitches are unattractive either for price or appearance reasons. So, a hitch rack is out.

That brings me to roof mounts. Checked out Thule at a reputable retailer. By the time I set everything up it will be well over $400 just to arrange my vehicle to put my bike up top.

I dont want to put the bike inside the cabin - will have dogs and stuff with me.

My FX has the roof rails and crossbars that come OEM.

Is there ANYTHING that I can use to get this done? I don't need to travel hundreds of miles - 10 miles per trip most.

I've searched OEM parts, Infinitiparts.com, etc...

My preferred option would be to find some method that safely and securly allows me to use the factory rails for a hundred bucks or two.

Help?

Jeff
 
I spent about 300 for a curt hitch and swagman bike rack. honestly the curt hitch is not a hidden hitch but it tucks pretty far behind the bumber and IMHO it looks pretty good. and another positive is the trunk opens with the rack on. I got the rack that doesn't tilt foward. Swagman brand has been around for like 25 years and I have a pretty expensive bike. Its a beefy rack . I can take pics if you need to see what It looks like. Oh and I installed the hitch my self so that cut cost quite a bit.

---------- Post added at 07:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:00 PM ----------

Heres some links. oh and I'm a 5-8 Asian so a roof rack was out of the question!


rack- http://www.swagman.net/product_singlearmoriginalracks_or3_standard.php
hitch- http://www.jcwhitney.com/class-iii-hitch-receivers/p2011914.jcwx?_requestid=8594094
 
Hitch

I'd love to see a couple of pics if you wouldn't mind.

Thanks to all of you guys for your replies. They have all been helpful to me.

Jeff

05fx35black said:
I spent about 300 for a curt hitch and swagman bike rack. honestly the curt hitch is not a hidden hitch but it tucks pretty far behind the bumber and IMHO it looks pretty good. and another positive is the trunk opens with the rack on. I got the rack that doesn't tilt foward. Swagman brand has been around for like 25 years and I have a pretty expensive bike. Its a beefy rack . I can take pics if you need to see what It looks like. Oh and I installed the hitch my self so that cut cost quite a bit.

---------- Post added at 07:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:00 PM ----------

Heres some links. oh and I'm a 5-8 Asian so a roof rack was out of the question!
Click to expand...
 
OEM hitch tucks in. It's not totally asthetically appealing, but it is tucked in nicely. Actually it is tucked in so much that folding most hitch racks without and extension will not work. I am using the Sportworks T2 hitch rack myself, easy on and off without taking off the front wheel and I can carry a variety of bikes (26ers, 650Bs, 29ers, full suspension, cruisers, etc).
 
I went to the Hitch link but it says they don't have one that works with a 07 FX35??

Also, is the installation pretty easy and straightforward? Does the installation process require to take off anything? to drill any holes??

I'm looking to add a hitch to my 07 Fx35, any input would be very helpful.

Thanks

:laugh:



05fx35black said:
...
---------- Post added at 07:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:00 PM ----------

Heres some links. oh and I'm a 5-8 Asian so a roof rack was out of the question!


rack- http://www.swagman.net/product_singlearmoriginalracks_or3_standard.php
hitch- http://www.jcwhitney.com/class-iii-hitch-receivers/p2011914.jcwx?_requestid=8594094
Click to expand...
 
well for the curt hitch it said to unbolt some of the bumper and pull it out of the way to drill the holes for the hitch bracket. I found this to be impossible so i took the bumper off. after that the install was pretty straight forward
 
is it easy to take the rear bumper off then? Any "how-to" link? I actually don't mind the look of it after installed. Can you also pm me the part/model # of your CURT Class III?? I believe I've found some online but I'd rather to make sure by validating the part/model first.

Thanks!! So :tup:far, how do you like the hitch? What's the heaviest thing you've used it for??



05fx35black said:
well for the curt hitch it said to unbolt some of the bumper and pull it out of the way to drill the holes for the hitch bracket. I found this to be impossible so i took the bumper off. after that the install was pretty straight forward
Click to expand...
 
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