New Hat

"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck) 03/25/2015 at 10:09 • Filed to: None

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I finally found a great deal on a new hat that I couldn't pass up. As cargo boxes go, it isn't the smallest or the biggest, but it fits well enough on the OEM cargo bars and provides plenty of storage space up top. I discovered that it does create some wind noise at freeway speeds, but it is only noticeable with the radio off. Although it seems like it hangs way off the front, I can't see it from the driver's seat without leaning forward. It does overlap the back hatch, making it hard to open.

The only thing I really don't like is the mounting system. It uses carriage bolts, mounting plates, and wingnuts. The initial setup was difficult and although they are quick-release (loosen one of the wingnuts and slide the bottom plate forward to release), the bottom plate drops easily and can scratch the paint.

It is old and is showing some storage wear. I don't think it was stored outside, but it was pretty filthy when I picked it up. I scrubbed it when I got home, but there are some white spots that look like paint drips and scrapes from being stored on end.

Overall, I'm really happy with it. I'm thinking about drilling some new mounting holes so it can be mounted further forward and eliminate overlap with the hatch. I've thought about buying some of the latest mounting hardware to make it easier to mount to the car. I'm not sure it would be worth the effort.

The biggest change I am contemplating is paint. It seems to be a popular on Audis and Porches, but the WRX crowd seems to stick with a more utilitarian look. Maybe I'll stick with flat black to hide the wear, but a sharkbox caught my eye. My wife (gotta love her) suggested FLAMES!

OPPOsaurus WRX > TheRealBicycleBuck 03/25/2015 at 10:22

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Damn that looks good in silver. You could try to color match so its all silver. I needed something to carry my mountain bike so I went with a hitch and hitch rack. The hitch was class I/II and the mount was for a class III reciever so I had to get an adapter to upsize. It pushes the rack just far enough away so that the hatch opens.

TheRealBicycleBuck > OPPOsaurus WRX 03/25/2015 at 10:28

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Thanks!

You have a WRX? If so, what hitch did you use? I'm thinking about getting the EcoHitch for mine. It seems to have the lowest profile.

OPPOsaurus WRX > TheRealBicycleBuck 03/25/2015 at 11:14

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holy hell i would not want to remove all that stuff as shown in the video. I'll let you know either way its not an easy install. I think mine was a Curt.

http://www.amazon.com/Manufacturing-…

With mine I had to lower the exhaust to get the hitch above it. The installation was actually amazing. They come up with some pretty crazy ways to get the bolts into place. They give a piece of wire that is curled up to match the thread of the bolt. You thread it on, feed it thru one frame opening and drop it into place then remove the wire. the rear bumper cover did not need to come off. I did need to trim the bottom of the plastic a little but it wasnt a big deal. It looks like the Ecohitch is available it 2" (class III/ IV) which would be nice because it doesn;t limit what you can attach but typically 2" are for heavier things that the hitch and car are not rated for. Bike mounts do come in 1 1/4" (class I/II) but the one I got was free so I was fine going the adapter setup. I actually never found that one you showed me. Also $116 vs $264. As you can see its also pretty low profile. I think they would all be about the same

TheRealBicycleBuck > OPPOsaurus WRX 03/25/2015 at 12:52

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I saw the Curt hitch. I think I want to avoid cutting if possible. I didn't see any cutting in the Ecohitch video, but I may have had my blinders on.

OPPOsaurus WRX > TheRealBicycleBuck 03/25/2015 at 13:14

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i was really nervous to do it. you really gutta fuck up to do harm. i did mine with a dremmel. i'd imagine they all would need a slight trim

TheRealBicycleBuck > OPPOsaurus WRX 03/25/2015 at 13:40

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I got tired of trying to figure out what would need to be trimmed and just called Torklift to ask. Turns out that no trimming is required. If you have a sedan, the receiver is accessed through a removable cover that is used for a fog light in Europe. If you have a hatchback the receiver is removable. When you are ready to tow, the receiver slides into the main body of the hitch and is bolted into place. The receiver itself hangs below the diffuser. There is one clear shot of the hitch without the receiver in place in the video:

That detail is covered by graphics during the rest of the video.

OPPOsaurus WRX > TheRealBicycleBuck 03/25/2015 at 13:59

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eh i'd be skeptical of a removable receiver. I used to work in an aftermarket parts store and have never seen/heard of something like that.

TheRealBicycleBuck > OPPOsaurus WRX 03/25/2015 at 15:11

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I discovered detachable systems when looking for a hitch for my wife's Explorer. Detachable "tow bars" have been around Europe for some time but haven't made a splash in the U.S. just yet.

Even Land Rover got in the game with a system for their SUV s.

I've requested additional information from Torklite. Perhaps they will send some more pictures or a better schematic.

OPPOsaurus WRX > TheRealBicycleBuck 03/25/2015 at 15:15

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interesting. too bad my boss just got rid of his LR$ yesterday or I coulda checked it out to see if he had it on his too