Do Bike Racks Damage Your Car?
If you are someone who takes your bike on car rides, your car’s safety might be a concern for you. After all, none of the roads you will be using are going to be smooth. So, if you are using a car bike rack to transport your bicycle, it would be natural for you to wonder if bike racks can damage your car.
Well, if that sounds familiar, you have come to the right place. Keep reading to find out if bike racks damage your car.
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Do Bike Racks Damage Your Car?
Bike racks work by creating tension on the vehicle’s surface where you’ve secured your bike. We usually use the straps across the bike to produce tension, which securely fastens it to the car. Naturally, the more straps you use to secure your bike, the safer it will be.
When you make the placement, though, you will run across a few complications. If you tie it to the trunk, for example, you may be limiting its functionality. In such circumstances, you may need to remove the bike rack fully to have access to the trunk.
So, do bike racks damage your car? The short answer would be yes, they might. But, don’t just leave and remove the bike rack! Because there are a lot of factors that play a major role here. If you can keep these in check, you’re good to go!
Read more: How to Fit a Bike in a Car?
How Can Bike Racks Damage Your Car?
In this part, we’ll go through how bike racks can damage your vehicle. Let’s take a look at them!
The Bike Rack’s Weight
A car is designed in such a way that it balances its weight and grips the ground. However, if you add a bike rack, which adds weight to the equation, it will influence not only the center of mass but also the center of rotation.
Furthermore, it has the potential to damage the body panel and paint of the car on which it is parked.
Getting Your Rearview Mirror Blocked
When a bike rack is mounted on the back of a car, it naturally inhibits blind-spot view. This isn’t the only issue that it brings with it. The secured bike may also collide with side objects, causing damage to your automobile as a result of the shock.
Failure of the Straps
You may forget to tighten the straps as you’re securing the bike on the rack. Otherwise, the straps may get slack, worn, or damaged throughout the trip, causing the bike to fall out of the truck.
It has the potential to severely damage your vehicle, resulting in a hefty repair expense. As a result, keep in mind that bike racks are only useful if the straps are appropriately used to secure the bike.
Wind Resistance
Have you ever considered how a bike rack can enhance a car’s wind resistance? If that’s not the case, we’re here to reassure you. And what kind of issues does it have? Wind resistance can reduce your gas mileage dramatically. Furthermore, because it creates turbulence, it can have an impact on the vehicle.
Increase in Height and Length of Your Car
The addition of a bike rack to a vehicle can dramatically extend the length and breadth of the vehicle. This might cause major problems since you may have difficulty navigating through enclosed spaces.
If you have a bike rack on the roof of your car, it might badly harm your vehicle if you park in a garage with low ceilings. It may also prevent spoilers from being installed.
Read more: How to Keep Bike Rack from Scratching Your Car?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do roof racks damage your car?
Yes, your roof racks can damage your car, especially if you install it incorrectly. If you install it too tightly, it might dent your car or scuff your paint, in which case you will have to get it buffed. On the other hand, if you install it too loose, your bike and rack might bounce around on bumpy roads. They might fall off your car and damage it in the process!
If you have a sunroof, you must be extra careful about installing your roof rack. While the sunroof might be able to take the rack’s weight, the bike’s weight and extra items might be too much for it to hold.
Read more: Can A Bike Rack Rest On Glass?
Do trunk racks damage your car?
Yes, trunk racks can damage your car, especially if you install them incorrectly. Trunk racks often mess up the paint on the car; while some of them have padding to protect the paint, most do not. So, if you are planning on getting a trunk rack, this is something you will definitely need to consider.
Additionally, if you install it too tightly or too loosely, your bike and rack might bounce around on bumpy roads. They might fall off your car and damage it in the process!
Trunk racks also make you slightly more prone to accidents since the bike usually extends out of the sides of the vehicles. So, please be careful while you drive.
Conclusion
While most current bike racks are created with cutting-edge technology, there may still be some risks that could cause harm to your vehicle. There can be numerous reasons why your bike rack might damage your car. For instance, it can happen because of its weight, failure of its straps, or wind resistance.
However, if you understand what can hurt your automobile, you can avoid it by installing the rack correctly and selecting the correct rack model. Then you can safely transport your bikes wherever you want. Happy transporting!
