It seems to me that the "flex" in the design just gives too much in those brackets.....and I was going to be a customer soon......not 'til they change somethin'
Yep, I got this one from Kappasphere, and I know I probably exceeded the weight limit-but I saw the same racks on a few cars at Nashville, and two had huge bags on them....unless they were hauling packing peanuts, they had to be heavy...maybe not as heavy as the load I had, dunno!
I'll be looking at a Texas Flyswatter option for next year's runs!!
I am sorry to hear about Kenny, AR.
Maybe if on the way down I had been paying closer attention to your rack... wait, I mean Kenny's rack this might not of happened.
Had we known what kind of damage it was doing on the way down... it would of made an excellent surf board....
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not defending either...but if the weight allowed is 50.....and the weigh carried was 65 as listed....even if evenly distributed......it exceeded the recommended weight bearing for the rack......
sorry about the damage.....hoping Dent Dr..or the like and pull it out.....
Not to pile on but I would think the 50 lbs. limit is a static load limit but if you have 60 some odd pounds then slam your truck lid down, which is typically required to fully shut the truck lid, you have gone way beyond the 50 lbs. static load limit.
This rack is not designed in my mind to carry heavy loads--have to stick with a small duffle or "carry on" size suit case that only includes a light load of clothes, then it would be wise to not try slamming the trunk closed with the rack loaded up.
Another issue--one of our So Cal Solstice group scratched up his trunk lid due to one of the connecting bolts coming loose that tie the two mounting straps together on each side. Word to the wise is to periodically check for bolt tightness. I ditched the L shaped allen wrench that was provided with the rack and purchased the appropriate sized allen head socket so I could tighten with my socket wrench w/extension--much more convenient and was easier to install the rack with this tool.
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Not to pile on but I would think the 50 lbs. limit is a static load limit but if you have 60 some odd pounds then slam your truck lid down, which is typically required to fully shut the truck lid, you have gone way beyond the 50 lbs. static load limit.
This rack is not designed in my mind to carry heavy loads--have to stick with a small duffle or "carry on" size suit case that only includes a light load of clothes, then it would be wise to not try slamming the trunk closed with the rack loaded up.
Another issue--one of our So Cal Solstice group scratched up his trunk lid due to one of the connecting bolts coming loose that tie the two mounting straps together on each side. Word to the wise is to periodically check for bolt tightness. I ditched the L shaped allen wrench that was provided with the rack and purchased the appropriate sized allen head socket so I could tighten with my socket wrench w/extension--much more convenient and was easier to install the rack with this tool.
Lid not slammed-period-if you look at the pictures, the road bounce was enough-the lid had been opened and closed (NO SLAM REQUIRED) twice before the road bounce made it touch down.
Good luck with yours-this one's already found a new home, and is headed there today.
Lid not slammed-period-if you look at the pictures, the road bounce was enough-the lid had been opened and closed (NO SLAM REQUIRED) twice before the road bounce made it touch down.
Good luck with yours-this one's already found a new home, and is headed there today.
Like I posted earlier, don't forget about the aerodynamics of the wing like load you were carrying. Who knows how that affected things without a wind tunnel.
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I have removed our rack too and found small dents also on my humps but not as big as you described. I will have to evaluate now if I can ever use it again.....with mods and how to repair my trunk. Gotta run rite now or I'll be late for work.
no, actually another Sol owner-who's aware of this. Bad part, all boxed up, it won't fit in a Sol..needed itself to be reinstalled to get itself to be shipped
This rack is not designed in my mind to carry heavy loads--have to stick with a small duffle or "carry on" size suit case that only includes a light load of clothes, then it would be wise to not try slamming the trunk closed with the rack loaded up.
I would think if the rack can only carry a light load or small duffle then you are better off putting it in your trunk. You can fit 2 in there and still put the top down. I would want a rack to be able to carry the heavy, cumbersome things that will not fit in the trunk.
You do not need to slam the trunk with a loaded rack, it falls closed pretty much all on its own. You might actually have to try and slow it down.
After seeing the trunk racks up close in TN, it took the lady and I about 2 minutes to decide on the Fly Swatter rack for our future cargo needs.
__________________ Team Solstice 2008
MEAN GXP with the works, minus smoker, pedals, XM, Big Brother, and Onions
Current AAT topless outing record -8 degrees F
After seeing the trunk racks up close in TN, it took the lady and I about 2 minutes to decide on the Fly Swatter rack for our future cargo needs.
As the sole Sol without the flyswatter on the Sunday drive to the Dragon, my wife and I decided the same. We're looking at a custom (2") hitch like SOl Crusin had installed down in Houston.
--Chemist ("Gonna Fly... Fly(swat) now!)
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Yep, I got this one from Kappasphere, and I know I probably exceeded the weight limit-but I saw the same racks on a few cars at Nashville, and two had huge bags on them....unless they were hauling packing peanuts, they had to be heavy...maybe not as heavy as the load I had, dunno!
I'll be looking at a Texas Flyswatter option for next year's runs!!
I had a rather large suitcase on mine, for basically the whole way there. I was scared when pulling off the rack yesterday, but luckily no dents. My bag had to weigh a good 30-40 lbs. Although, I'm going to think twice about putting it on again. Maybe I'll think about the flyswatter, or attempt to pack light next time I go anywhere.
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I had a rather large suitcase on mine, for basically the whole way there. I was scared when pulling off the rack yesterday, but luckily no dents. My bag had to weigh a good 30-40 lbs. Although, I'm going to think twice about putting it on again. Maybe I'll think about the flyswatter, or attempt to pack light next time I go anywhere.
Hey Mike,
If you were at 30-40, you'd be okay, I know I lugged that much to Lubbock for at least part of the trip, on it, no problems!
Location: "We are Virginia Tech! We will prevail!"
Sorry about your damage, AR! I think we will just continue to pack selectively and do laundry on the road if necessary. I really don't like doing that, but if worse comes to worse, I will. We packed enough for our trip to Nashville (gone for 6 days) and still had clean clothes when we got home.
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no, actually another Sol owner-who's aware of this. Bad part, all boxed up, it won't fit in a Sol..needed itself to be reinstalled to get itself to be shipped 
I think we will just continue to pack selectively and do laundry on the road if necessary. I really don't like doing that, but if worse comes to worse, I will. We packed enough for our trip to Nashville (gone for 6 days) and still had clean clothes when we got home. 