Vibe mods: One man's quest to better 40mpg.

[MetroMPG]

Good going. How much weight are you able to cantilever off that receiver?

[dennyt]

I saw a hitch mount cargo carrier on the highway the other day, with taillights and a licence plate mount. Halfway to a boat tail for sure

I also saw a Trailer Tail... stowed, not deployed

[Tango Charlie]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Good going. How much weight are you able to cantilever off that receiver?

It's a class II receiver, which they say can take up to 200 lbs.

I've burnt up my 1/2" drill bit drilling holes for the bungee straps.

The headlamps I mentioned are "EcoVision" from Philips.

[KITT222]

It's good to see this thread live again. That hitch platform looks great for a more aero-friendly way of hauling things. Be sure to tell us if it has any negative effects on FE. It could also be a jumping off point for a small boat tail.

[Tango Charlie]

I'm still on vacation (until tomorrow) but it's raining, so let me update y'all on the luggage carrier. In short, it's working great. It has a bit of play where it slides into the receiver, which lets it rock from side to side just a bit. I got some cedar shims to wedge in there, but there's not even enough room for that. If I end up using it again, I'll probably drill and tap the receiver for some bolts to wedge it tight.



Yeah, it does sit pretty low. It scraped a couple times on entrance ways into gas stations and whatnot. It should be goosenecked up a couple inches.

With the extra weight back there, it does affect the handling. The tail tends to wag the dog, so to speak. But it's not too bad. Not any worse than a trailer would be, I suspect. And the convenience of having everything down low is great. I unloaded and had the thing removed from the car in about four minutes, ready to maneuver around town.

The aerodynamic benefit is undeniable. I'm getting the same mileage with it installed as with it off at highway speeds. I definitely couldn't say that when I had the bag strapped to the roof rack!

[MetroMPG]

Can't argue with those results.

And just think how much better it'll be when you get it faired in

[KITT222]

Great job! Maybe the lower rear helps FE some too. How well does the hatch open with the platform loaded?

Where are your rear roof rail caps?

[Tango Charlie]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Can't argue with those results.

And just think how much better it'll be when you get it faired in

You're gonna egg me on until I do it, aren't you? Ha ha! Hey, turn-about is fair play; are you gathering materials for your permanent version of last years boat tail? Hmmm?!?

Originally Posted by KITT222

Great job! Maybe the lower rear helps FE some too. How well does the hatch open with the platform loaded?

Where are your rear roof rail caps?

The main lift gate can't open, but as you know, the rear window opens separately. There's enough space between the carrier and the bumper (about 6") that you can step in and access anything in the back of the car through the rear window. It really does work out pretty good.

I busted the roof rail caps while removing the cross bars after last years vacation. I've left them off in an attempt to motivate myself to getting around to doing a rail-ectomy. It hasn't happened yet. With a long commute to my new job, I'm more motivated nowdays.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Tango Charlie

You're gonna egg me on until I do it, aren't you? Ha ha! Hey, turn-about is fair play; are you gathering materials for your permanent version of last years boat tail? Hmmm?!?

Absolutely! If by "gathering materials for" I can count the shack in which future mods will take form.

[Tango Charlie]

Ohhhh, NICE! Can't wait to see what comes out of the MPG ShackWorks.