[Slaa]

Considering getting a platform bike rack for the hitch. Just wondering if anyone saw any implications to your mi/kWh.

 

[JohnnyEV]

I imagine it would be very low impact on your range depending on how big the bike is but I have found information that the cargo rails will eat up 10-30%, just with the rails w/o a cargo box (depending on the rail design) so I would definitely use the hitch mount for your bike rack.

 

[sasunde]

I have a Kuat NV 2.0 bike rack. No noticeable affect on range from the rack alone. There is some loss of range from having 2 bikes on the rack, especially at highway speeds (65 mph+). It is better than putting the bikes on top, which I have also done.

 

[GetOffYourGas]

I imagine it would be very low impact on your range depending on how big the bike is but I have found information that the cargo rails will eat up 10-30%, just with the rails w/o a cargo box (depending on the rail design) so I would definitely use the hitch mount for your bike rack.

Your estimate seems high for impact of rails. I have found very little impact with the cross-bars. With an enclosed Thule box, I see about a 15% hit at 65MPH. Even if you include a roof-mounted bike rack (with no bike), I would be surprised to see more than a 10% hit. Although they may have more turbulance than my aero cargo box, so maybe your numbers are right? Again, that's with the bike rack, and not just the cross bars.

 

[JohnnyEV]

Your estimate seems high for impact of rails. I have found very little impact with the cross-bars. With an enclosed Thule box, I see about a 15% hit at 65MPH. Even if you include a roof-mounted bike rack (with no bike), I would be surprised to see more than a 10% hit. Although they may have more turbulance than my aero cargo box, so maybe your numbers are right? Again, that's with the bike rack, and not just the cross bars.

The square ones really can add a lot of turbulence. Maybe the 10-30% is with a cargo box on top. I don't recall where I found the figures, but was surprised at them as well.

 

[boltage]

Your estimate seems high for impact of rails. I have found very little impact with the cross-bars. With an enclosed Thule box, I see about a 15% hit at 65MPH. Even if you include a roof-mounted bike rack (with no bike), I would be surprised to see more than a 10% hit. Although they may have more turbulance than my aero cargo box, so maybe your numbers are right? Again, that's with the bike rack, and not just the cross bars.

If you are referring to roof racks, I have seen 8-10% worse economy on other cars using older style (Yakima) round or (Thule) rectangular bars. On the Bolt, I have (Yakima CoreBar) aero bars, where the apparent effect on economy is minimal. This is with nothing on the bars; with stuff there, the economy could be significantly worse (like 15% or so). Note that "stuff" could include rack accessories that are left attached to the rack even when not in use (e.g. pads, bicycle trays, boat saddles, cargo boxes, cargo baskets, etc.); the aerodynamic drag properties of the accessories could worsen economy with an "empty" rack.

But the original poster appears to be more interested in hitch-mount racks.

 

[Slaa]

If you are referring to roof racks, I have seen 8-10% worse economy on other cars using older style (Yakima) round or (Thule) rectangular bars. On the Bolt, I have (Yakima CoreBar) aero bars, where the apparent effect on economy is minimal. This is with nothing on the bars; with stuff there, the economy could be significantly worse (like 15% or so). Note that "stuff" could include rack accessories that are left attached to the rack even when not in use (e.g. pads, bicycle trays, boat saddles, cargo boxes, cargo baskets, etc.); the aerodynamic drag properties of the accessories could worsen economy with an "empty" rack.

But the original poster appears to be more interested in hitch-mount racks.

Correct, so far it sounds like hitch mounts aren’t to bad. Or not bad till you have 2 bikes, or a p
larger MTB.
Went ahead and ordered the hitch. Will get a rack soon for it. Thinking Kuat Transfer-1, for $250. Looks lite, and doesn't touch the frame.

 

[GetOffYourGas]

If you are referring to roof racks, I have seen 8-10% worse economy on other cars using older style (Yakima) round or (Thule) rectangular bars. On the Bolt, I have (Yakima CoreBar) aero bars, where the apparent effect on economy is minimal. This is with nothing on the bars; with stuff there, the economy could be significantly worse (like 15% or so). Note that "stuff" could include rack accessories that are left attached to the rack even when not in use (e.g. pads, bicycle trays, boat saddles, cargo boxes, cargo baskets, etc.); the aerodynamic drag properties of the accessories could worsen economy with an "empty" rack.

But the original poster appears to be more interested in hitch-mount racks.

Yeah, sorry I should have specified. I have Thule Aeroblade cross-bars. These are similar to (but not exactly the same as) the ones Chevy will sell you.

For my setup, bare bars adds negligible drag. Adding a hard-shell (and fairly aerodynamic) roof box increases consumption by about 15%.

Very interesting that the round/square bars really add so much more drag. I guess I can believe that. Thanks for clarifying!

 

[JohnU]

I have a hitch mount rack for two bikes and haven't noticed anything.

 

[Edchris]

With aerodynamic bars, (including the X bars), on a Toyota Sienna, the penalty is 1.5%.
I would expect bars only to be similar on tor Bolt

 

[Slaa]

I purchased the Draw-Tite Hitch and installed it yesterday. Not to bad, took a good hour.

Just need to get rack now. Leaning to Kuat Transfer-1. seems like the lightest, but good quality option. @$250 +$50 for internal locks.
Hitch - 23lbs
Bike Rack - 26lbs
Bike - 20lbs
total added weight 69lbs

 

[boltage]

https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/model-3-roof-rack-options-comparing-efficiencies.143042/ is someone's comparison of economy in a Tesla Model 3 with various roof rack configurations (versus nothing on the roof)

The Tesla roof rack (with aero bars) was -1.6% with nothing else on it. However, with a snowboard carrier with snowboards, the penalty was much greater (-17.3% to -26.7%). Note that while many racks these days have aero bars, many rack accessories (e.g. the snowboard carrier) have significant frontal area and are not very aerodynamic. The cargo (e.g. the snowboards) being carried may also have similar drag-creating characteristics.

That Tesla owner also found that removing the aero wheel covers was -5.4%.