Bike Rack - Roof vs Trunk vs Hitch

[0CO2]

So I've got my new Model 3 LR and planning the annual (Okay so minus 1 year of Covid) trip to NSW and trying to decide if I use my Saris Bones rack which seemed to fit perfectly well on my old A4 or do I go buy a roof rack and bike carrier or should I splash out and get a towbar/hitch installed...

Hoping there is a huge bank of knowledge on what the best option is based on others experiences. Any help/advice/banter will be appreciated

Is there a huge difference in range with a roof mount vs anything on the back? It seems that there might be some additional wind resistance on the rook but equally a "parachute" type effect on the back... Anyway I'm sure all you Tesla experts will know the answer

 

[djlenny]

have you got a rack? i have been waiting along time for the roof racks to be available again, checked state side and they are Out of stock their too

 

[0CO2]

Can get a Yakima but not sure about other brands.

 

[djlenny]

Just wondering as i have been waiting for an email update + refresh order page, does the group know how long the roof racks on the Tesla store have been OOS? The US store was also OOS but now have them back again...

 

[PianoAl]

Even with a range hit, I'd go with a roof rack. I've done both, and roof is better for a long trip.

 

[0CO2]

Yep did just that but went the wheel off rack to try and get some small gains in aero efficiency.

 

[AussieOwner]

Where do you buy the tow hitch for the back of the car curiously ?

 

[Hungry Mile]

Where do you buy the tow hitch for the back of the car curiously ?

There’s a thread for that:

It's been a long time coming but there is now a fully complied tow bar option for the Model 3 in Australia. TOCA have achieved this compliance on behalf of its members and for the benefit of the Tesla community at large. Anyone is free to import and fit their own bar or buy one from a local...
The Stealth Hitch is now complied in Australia thanks to TOCA!

 

[AussieOwner]

There’s a thread for that:

It's been a long time coming but there is now a fully complied tow bar option for the Model 3 in Australia. TOCA have achieved this compliance on behalf of its members and for the benefit of the Tesla community at large. Anyone is free to import and fit their own bar or buy one from a local...
The Stealth Hitch is now complied in Australia thanks to TOCA!

Cheers will pass that along as my old man was wanting to get one for his Tesla.

The sooner we get the cyber truck the better, in the meantime this will have to do.

 

[schnaxxl]

Can get a Yakima but not sure about other brands.

I read somewhere that Yakima make the ‘factory’ Tesla roof rack
I think I’ve seen an advert for a Yakima-branded version too
was that an option when you chose yours?
I prefer the look [and hopefully the functionality] of the fix-point style

 

[0CO2]

I bought the Yakima window rail mount version because I just couldn’t get access to the Tesla rack. It doesn’t look as neat as the Tesla (Yakima) integrated roof rack but it is really easy to install and remove. No damage to the rails after I removed it so happy with that.

 

[djlenny]

Tesla racks back in stock just now

 

[0CO2]

Model 3 Roof Rack

The Model 3 Roof Rack was designed and engineered from the ground up for maximum aerodynamic efficiency, minimal interior noise and impact to range. The ultra-sleek attachment mechanism makes for easy installation at home while blending in seamlessly. The aluminum cross bars on the roof rack...

shop.tesla.com

Not for me...

 

[schnaxxl]

Tesla racks back in stock just now

yep - I put my order in as soon as I saw that

 

[0CO2]

They must have been out within hours then

 

[schnaxxl]

They must have been out within hours then

not surprising given how long they’ve been unavailable

 

[corndog]

If anyone's interested; I use a hitch mounted rack on my 3LR. Just before xmas I did a trip with 6-7hrs of driving, 2 bikes on the back, and loaded to the brim with camping gear. Efficiency was down about 10-15% from normal. I think I've heard people losing 30+% on the roof....?

 

[schnaxxl]

If anyone's interested; I use a hitch mounted rack on my 3LR. Just before xmas I did a trip with 6-7hrs of driving, 2 bikes on the back, and loaded to the brim with camping gear. Efficiency was down about 10-15% from normal. I think I've heard people losing 30+% on the roof....?

hard to see 30% with the relatively slim profile of a bike
I won’t ever be travelling a long distance with a bike, but I will have a roof box or a kayak on various journeys
that will be an interesting test of range

 

[0CO2]

I drove to Sydney and back with a bike on the roof. Would estimate no more than 15% efficiency loss.

 

[Skurfer]

Still waiting for my M3LR to turn up this quarter but have a question.

Does anyone know of or recommend a bike rack to fit a dual suspension mountain bike to fit the M3 without the use of roof racks or a towbar. I live regionally and need all the range I can get on a day to day basis as it's not uncommon for me to be driving 400km+ in a day without the ability to get to a charge station, so don't really want to be running the roof racks on all the time. Just have a want to carry the bike once every week or two.