Got my M3 in early February. I’m an avid bike rider and ride pretty much every day on the local greenways. I got an Allen bike rack for the M3 and it holds the bike securely and does not damage the car. With the rack and bike mounted on the car however backing up is a real adventure. The obstructed sensors cause the car to bark warnings constantly. While it stops when I change from reverse to drive I wonder if it is damaging the system. Anyone else have experience with this?
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Bike rack and back up sensors
- Thread starter BlueMoon1224
- Start date
I don’t think it will cause any damages to your vehicle.
You can mute parking sensor warning beeping.
ahagge
Member
Here's a couple of pics that somebody posted of an Allen Sports 2-bike rack on a Model 3. I suspect it was the Deluxe 2-bike rack. Note that Allen Sports does not list this rack as being compatible with the Model 3, so caveat emptor.
ahagge
Member
Also, I can tell you that if you have a lightweight bike (< 30 lbs or so), the Allen Sports Ultra Compact trunk rack will also work. I've had this one for about 8 years on a Nissan LEAF, and I only had to adjust the straps to get a snug fit on the Model 3. Note that I just put it on to test fit - I haven't driven anywhere with the rack & bike attached.
I know you said it doesn't damage the car, but I guarantee you that kind of rack will eventually damage the paint on both the car and the bike over time. Is it your first time using one? Just don't want you to be surprised by the eventual damage.
The investment is obviously significantly higher, but a "stealth hitch" is the way to avoid 1) paint damage 2) an otherwise unsightly hitch. There are at least two on the market:
Having owned both designs, I will say the Stealth Hitches product is superior.
I get that I'm talking about a $1000 investment (for hitch and rack) vs $100 but how much is your paint job worth?
The investment is obviously significantly higher, but a "stealth hitch" is the way to avoid 1) paint damage 2) an otherwise unsightly hitch. There are at least two on the market:
Having owned both designs, I will say the Stealth Hitches product is superior.
I get that I'm talking about a $1000 investment (for hitch and rack) vs $100 but how much is your paint job worth?
ahagge
Member
I know you said it doesn't damage the car, but I guarantee you that kind of rack will eventually damage the paint on both the car and the bike over time. Is it your first time using one? Just don't want you to be surprised by the eventual damage.
The investment is obviously significantly higher, but a "stealth hitch" is the way to avoid 1) paint damage 2) an otherwise unsightly hitch. There are at least two on the market:
Having owned both designs, I will say the Stealth Hitches product is superior.
I get that I'm talking about a $1000 investment (for hitch and rack) vs $100 but how much is your paint job worth?
I completely concur that if you can justify the investment in a hitch + hike mount rack, that's the better option. For me, I'm an occasional rider, so I can't. What I CAN say is that over the course of 7+ years and probably 300+ mountings and dismountings of the Allen Sports compact trunk rack on my LEAF, the only paint "damage" has been a couple of quarter-sized smudges where the straps on the upper hooks rubbed paint on the spoiler which could probably be buffed out. But the main pads ended up on the rear glass on the LEAF - I think they would damage paint over the course of years of use.
You pays your money and you takes your choices...
I bought one of those and after 8 hours of trying making it fit, I gave up. It turns out it fits some cars and doesnt fit other cars. Mine was a 08-19 build and it wouldnt fit.
I know you said it doesn't damage the car, but I guarantee you that kind of rack will eventually damage the paint on both the car and the bike over time. Is it your first time using one? Just don't want you to be surprised by the eventual damage.
The investment is obviously significantly higher, but a "stealth hitch" is the way to avoid 1) paint damage 2) an otherwise unsightly hitch. There are at least two on the market:
Having owned both designs, I will say the Stealth Hitches product is superior.
I get that I'm talking about a $1000 investment (for hitch and rack) vs $100 but how much is your paint job worth?
Telstar
Member
Using Rocky Mount rack and Stealth hitch. Carrie's two ebikes easily and folds up when not in use.
Yeah, apparently Curt revised the design of the hitch this spring. The older model is 11571 I think, but the newer model number is 11581 (Class 1 Trailer Hitch, 1-1/4" Receiver, Select Tesla Model 3). It was on Etrailer as C52VR but in the specs says 11581 (https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Curt/C52VR.html).
Not sure if you had the older design, but yeah, that definitely gave people problems from what I've seen around the forums. I was going to order the hitch when I got the car back in November, but saw those fit complaints. I messaged Curt and never heard back so had decided to wait. I pretty much ride inside only until it gets hot so wasn't in a rush. Also have the wife's van with a bike rack to use if needed. Glad I waited though.
I have the RockyMounts SplitRail like @Telstar, with the add-ons so I can carry up to 4 bikes. I also have a 1UP single that I use most of the time since 99% of the time I'm really only carrying 1 bike...
EDIT: to clarify I like the RockyMounts rack a lot, it's a great rack, but really heavy with 4 rails. I take the rack on and off the car so that got old really quick. So I got the 1UP which is just about the lightest thing out there in a hitch rack.
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