Bike rack suggestions requested..
We've always carried our bikes inside a vehicle. When we had a truck and TT, bikes all fit in back of our tow vehicle (Ford Excursion). Now, with the MH, bikes fit in the back of our towed vehicle (...
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..Small update: The Thule bike rack came last week, as did the stabilizer strap. Much ealier than expected, which was nice.
Sunday, we were going to visit DW's family for the day (a 45 minute drive), and kids really wanted to bring their bikes, so we gave the new bike rack setup a test run, and carried the kid's (20") bikes on the new rack on the Fusion for the first time, for the 45 minute drive to/from DW's family yesterday.
Although this was only 2 bikes and not 4 (yet), this rack setup works great, I am very happy with it! Bikes were rock solid back there, did not move hardly at all. Vehicle handling was not affected at all, either. I think the stabilizer strap helps a lot, in eliminating the bouncing you frequently get on hitch mounted bike racks.
Only one complaint - Having bikes back there really has an adverse affect on the Fusion hybrids normally incredible mileage! Mileage went from the 47-48 we've normally been getting, down to 37 when carrying the bikes!! It appears the bikes being back there really messes up the Fusion's aerodynamic profile and creates a lot of wind resistance. We could not run in EV (electric) mode much at all when on the highway like we normally can. Of course, even with 37 mpg...How many other vehicles can carry 5 people, 4 bikes, and do better than 37 mpg? I'm betting, not many. :)
Mileage doesn't really matter, anyway, as 90% of the time when the bikes are on the back of the Fusion will be when the MH is towing the Fusion. And in that case, fuel mileage is in the toilet no matter what, hahahaha!
Sooo, anyway, bottom line is that it looks like this setup is going to work great. :)
Sunday, we were going to visit DW's family for the day (a 45 minute drive), and kids really wanted to bring their bikes, so we gave the new bike rack setup a test run, and carried the kid's (20") bikes on the new rack on the Fusion for the first time, for the 45 minute drive to/from DW's family yesterday.
Although this was only 2 bikes and not 4 (yet), this rack setup works great, I am very happy with it! Bikes were rock solid back there, did not move hardly at all. Vehicle handling was not affected at all, either. I think the stabilizer strap helps a lot, in eliminating the bouncing you frequently get on hitch mounted bike racks.
Only one complaint - Having bikes back there really has an adverse affect on the Fusion hybrids normally incredible mileage! Mileage went from the 47-48 we've normally been getting, down to 37 when carrying the bikes!! It appears the bikes being back there really messes up the Fusion's aerodynamic profile and creates a lot of wind resistance. We could not run in EV (electric) mode much at all when on the highway like we normally can. Of course, even with 37 mpg...How many other vehicles can carry 5 people, 4 bikes, and do better than 37 mpg? I'm betting, not many. :)
Mileage doesn't really matter, anyway, as 90% of the time when the bikes are on the back of the Fusion will be when the MH is towing the Fusion. And in that case, fuel mileage is in the toilet no matter what, hahahaha!
Sooo, anyway, bottom line is that it looks like this setup is going to work great. :)
