Advice on bike racks with rental cars?
06-19-09, 05:20 PM
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Advice on bike racks with rental cars?
I apologize in advance for making a new thread for this, but I did search forums for this info first without finding much info.
My SO and I are new to bike riding (as adults anyway) and we are going to the Oregon Coast next week for vacation. We plan to rent a car for the trip, and we want to take the bikes. I am close to purchasing a Thule 961XT Speedway for 2 bikes as it's rated a fit for our car, and I noted that it is rated a fit for the two types of cars that the rental agency would most likely give us.
Are there any steps I can take to avoid scratching the rental car? I did see someone mention they put painters' tape on their car where the clamps go and they haven't smudged up their finish. What do you think of this? Do you think it's a bad idea to put the racks on the rental? The problem is that my car is in need of some major repair and is not trustworthy for a 200 mile trip and back.
Thanks for any advice!
My SO and I are new to bike riding (as adults anyway) and we are going to the Oregon Coast next week for vacation. We plan to rent a car for the trip, and we want to take the bikes. I am close to purchasing a Thule 961XT Speedway for 2 bikes as it's rated a fit for our car, and I noted that it is rated a fit for the two types of cars that the rental agency would most likely give us.
Are there any steps I can take to avoid scratching the rental car? I did see someone mention they put painters' tape on their car where the clamps go and they haven't smudged up their finish. What do you think of this? Do you think it's a bad idea to put the racks on the rental? The problem is that my car is in need of some major repair and is not trustworthy for a 200 mile trip and back.
Thanks for any advice!
06-19-09, 06:32 PM
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I have that bike rack and its been on and off the car 100 times, no damage or scratching. to be safe if you want you could always put foam strip (like the kind used around window ac units), where the contact point are.
06-19-09, 07:41 PM
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Pay a little mor eand rent a mini van and put them inside, all vans have fold and go seating that way if you want to stop in some obscure place you will noyt be worried that the locals are riding away on your bikes! Have a nice trip!
06-20-09, 04:21 PM
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I have rented cars many times - the last one through "Enterprise" - and for a small extra charge, the company will rent with the vehicle things such as bike racks, child seats, etc.
07-02-09, 10:11 PM
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Thanks to all for the feedback! We did purchase the Thule rack and had no problems with the rental car. We had checked with all of the rental car agencies and none had cars with bike racks, so this was our next best option. We had a great trip and I did my first 10 mile ride while we were there - someday my SO won't have to do all the fun rides alone! Thanks again to all!
