Towbar for 159... recommendations?

Started by diglad, February 02, 2011, 12:13:28 PM

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diglad

thanks to all for the advice and photos. much appreciated!

still not sold either way but I have found a place that hires our roof racks so I will try that first and see how it goes.

Cool Jesus

#16
CDH and Nigel, the bar certainly looks good. I was imagining a Hayman Reece style open square style contraption sticking out the back. These are virtually invisable with the ball removed.

Digilad, finally got around to getting you some pics of the roof racks. These were reused from when I owoned a 2001 Elantra, all I had to change was the fit kit (rubber feet and clamp). The current bar foot looks to be a little shorter than my 750 moedl too.

Anyhow the bike rack is the Thule pro ride and I've also posted pics of the luggage box, a Thule Atlantis 780 black Pod. Thule Botany had a web special and I hate crammed back seats. It looks like I'm carrying an ICBM.

Almost forgot to mention. They were a bit fiddly to set up, however once set up they are very easy to remove and replace, not sure what the reviewer was whinging about?

Present:
* '76 Alfetta GTAm 2.0 (project)
* '03 147 2.0 TS
*'12 159 Ti 1750 TBi
===================
Past:
* '10 159 2.2 JTS
* '89 164 3.0
* '98 Spider 2.0 TS

Cool Jesus

more
Present:
* '76 Alfetta GTAm 2.0 (project)
* '03 147 2.0 TS
*'12 159 Ti 1750 TBi
===================
Past:
* '10 159 2.2 JTS
* '89 164 3.0
* '98 Spider 2.0 TS

Cool Jesus

#18
more

You ight notice the bike rack is configured with the bike facing backwords. I set it up in a hurry and realised that it can be configured either way. Once set up there are grub screws on the plates so that it remains set for your bike and all you need do is slide it on and off.
Present:
* '76 Alfetta GTAm 2.0 (project)
* '03 147 2.0 TS
*'12 159 Ti 1750 TBi
===================
Past:
* '10 159 2.2 JTS
* '89 164 3.0
* '98 Spider 2.0 TS

Cool Jesus

#19
more

I've had pods before, the attachment mechanism for this one is great. Very easy to install and it comes with internal starps to tie your luggage down securely within the pod.

The white square dots on the pod are just some packaging that was being difficult. I'll tidy it up later.
Present:
* '76 Alfetta GTAm 2.0 (project)
* '03 147 2.0 TS
*'12 159 Ti 1750 TBi
===================
Past:
* '10 159 2.2 JTS
* '89 164 3.0
* '98 Spider 2.0 TS

Cool Jesus

last ones
Present:
* '76 Alfetta GTAm 2.0 (project)
* '03 147 2.0 TS
*'12 159 Ti 1750 TBi
===================
Past:
* '10 159 2.2 JTS
* '89 164 3.0
* '98 Spider 2.0 TS

diglad

That is great, many thanks for your efforts to set up these photos, I appreciate it...

I am going to hire the same Thule roof rack set up with two bike carriers for a couple of weeks for a ride in the south of WA. If if all goes well I will purchase the same setup.

Thanks again!

Cool Jesus

#22
Almost forgot to mention. To aid install and removal, Alfa have simplified this in order to not have to measure distances each time the racks are installed. On the door arches they've placed a pair of dimples in the metal as a visual aid. The clamps are placed in the middle of these dimples for correct distances to end up with level racks over the roof.

not sure what prices are over on the west coast, however thulestorebotany.com.au are competative and have specials running at the moment on the pro ride with free shipping...
Present:
* '76 Alfetta GTAm 2.0 (project)
* '03 147 2.0 TS
*'12 159 Ti 1750 TBi
===================
Past:
* '10 159 2.2 JTS
* '89 164 3.0
* '98 Spider 2.0 TS

dpearce

Hi,

I'm looking at getting a towbar for my 159 Sportwagon too.

NigelC and CDH105, thanks for the photos.

I just wanted to ask a couple of questions - does the attachment point hang lower than the towbar, and get caught on kerbs, speedhumps, etc?

Also, how easy is it to detach/reattach the tow ball?

Thanks for your help. :)