I am going to be driving cross country with my 04 SR5 and I want to take a bike along for local transportation, trails, etc. I didn't want to put it on a hitch mounted bike rack because I will need to access the tail gate often and it seems like it would be in the way a lot. So I got a Thule roof bike rack... but now my concern is the height restriction... I don't plan on visiting many parking decks on my trip... but I do plan to do some light off-roading. Do you guys advise against having the bike on the roof for any reason? My truck is lifted about 2" from stock. Thanks!
Bike on roof bad idea for road trip?
- Thread starter pudzley
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cloud
Banned
Weird, I'm in the exact same situation, except mine is an 03 limited and I don't have a special rack for the bike, just cross bars. I'm thinking if I loosen the handle bars and rotate them 90 degrees ill be able to lay it mostly flat. Ill probably have to remove one of the pedals as well; maybe both.
When do you leave? Where you headed?
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When do you leave? Where you headed?
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YotaDriver
New member
I've carried my bike around on a Thule roof rack for years, so other than the obvious disclaimer to avoid driving into any parking garages you should be fine. I actually got on a step ladder and measured the height of mine so I knew I wasn't going to lose my bike on any underpasses, like Storrow Drive in Boston. Even though I knew how high it was, it was still sort of stressful driving under something where I knew I only had inches of clearance.
I used my stock roof rack and stock crossbars with 2 bikes on it and it was working okay while on the highway. I did not have any problem with my bike. it's quite strong enough to handle a load. when you put your bike on top, just measure how high it is so you know if you are safe to pass under a bridge. usually, bridges have something written there how high the bridge is. at least if you know how high your bike is, you know when not to pass a low bridge.
meltdowner
Member
No pads in between paint and roof? eeeeeeek
cloud
Banned
It's on the cross bars with nothing actually touching the roof. You should see my paint! Trees aren't very forgiving but Rust-Oleum is cheap and every dealer carries color code 202 touch up pens.
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I'm leaving mid September but not exactly sure where I'm going yet. Just need to get away and get on the open road. Out West is about as far I got with planning it out
Where are you headed?
cloud
Banned
I'm headed home to the Seattle area. Ill Be in fort Collins CO by Tuesday when the new Belgium brewery opens up after labor day. After a day of brewerying and probably a day of recovery (or two) I'm headed somewhere generally West but no real specifics. I hope to meet another member at the sand dunes in Oregon September 9 or so.I'm leaving mid September but not exactly sure where I'm going yet. Just need to get away and get on the open road. Out West is about as far I got with planning it out
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jrm
New member
when using my thule rack
i go through the rear window to grab stuff in the back. Otherwise i just remove the seat post and wheels and lay the frame down and stack the wheels on top of it. I use a cargo blanket to keep the wheels from grinding on the frame nd the frame from scratching up the interior. The only minus so far is having to bleed the brake lines since the bike is on its side.
the QR/thru axle front wheel mount already mentioned is a proven method as well but it will require you to fold down half of the rear seat. It works well.
i go through the rear window to grab stuff in the back. Otherwise i just remove the seat post and wheels and lay the frame down and stack the wheels on top of it. I use a cargo blanket to keep the wheels from grinding on the frame nd the frame from scratching up the interior. The only minus so far is having to bleed the brake lines since the bike is on its side.
the QR/thru axle front wheel mount already mentioned is a proven method as well but it will require you to fold down half of the rear seat. It works well.
hanjohnbono
New member
You should be fine, I just did a roatrip across the entire west coast with my mountain bike ontop of my truck, and I did some serious four wheeling. Like you said avoid parking garages, and remember about drive thrus! I was on the road, and saw another 4Runner with a roof rack bike mount about to go through a drive thru that almonst ruined their Santa Cruz. But as long as you are reminding yourself that you have a bike ontop you should be fine, and if you are out wheeling, and you run into some low hanging trees, I wouldn't worry, my bike picked up a few branches here and there, didn't harm anything.
Slappybabs
New member
Should be fine. Just remove the bikes front tire to lower it down.
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