Luggage rack advice

I know racks are not popular with everybody but I need one for my trip to France in September, plus I think it looked pretty cool on the back of a yellow one I saw at the Italian show in Bristol.

Can someone confirm that the original Fiat luggage rack clips on somehow? Looking at pics I can't quite work it out.

Might be getting one from Germany but am a bit cautious as I have bank details to pay to and no Paypal/credit card insurance.

I have a Fiat luggage rack and think it looks cool too

The "feet" of the rack have clamps on that clamp around the edges of the bootlid. They are a bit fiddley to adjust properly (with an allen key) to get it to sit well in the right place but once done it's very secure. If adjusted properly it wont leave any marks on your b.

I haven't any close up pictures of the clamps but here's one I took of my car on the streets of Prague - you can see the feet of the rack - I clocked up 3000 miles in two weeks on that trip with a heavy rucksack on the rack and no problems. I even managed 130mph in Germany and it didn't fly off

Good luck

Thanks silverbarchetta. Got to have a rack now.

Thanks for that!

Here's a picture of the instructions from Barchetta Lexikon for the Fiat rack.

Hi,

Just something to be aware of the Fiat luggage racks come with some clear film to put under each foot of the luggage rack to prevent any scuffing of the paintwork should some grit get between the rubber foot and the paintwork (see step 3 in the rack instructions). Not sure where you'd get this from if it were a 2nd hand rack.

regards

Rich

Mine had this plastic film on but it looked really scruffy after a while. I removed it and it's been fine ever since with no scuffing. I guess any clear sticky back plastic could be used.

you can use:


ups.... you can use some fat sticky tape (selotejp)...

It's up to you as to which way you use it. [Most people go with the option as per the silver one - to stop the luggage flying into you in the event of a sudden stop]

Thanks a lot guys. I think I'd go with silver as per Fiat instruction. What do you tie the luggage with? I guess you buy separate straps.

I am liking the rack more and more.

I used bungee cords which worked fine for a 3000km round trip with a big case.

Just watch out for an overhang catching the aerial, it's easy to miss until you turn it on :-)

I used some straps which have a ratchet attached to them and they were fine......

If you leave the ends of those straps so they are able to flap about they can scratch your paintwork so be carefull and tie them up so there are no loose ends.

The racks don't seem too easy to find. There is a guy in Germany who had has one to sell. He doesn't have Paypal so I have to transfer funds into his account. Its around £150. I am sure he's genuine but if I do this I have no insurance whatsoever. What do you think I should do?

Given that a couple of people from here have had issues when not using Paypal, I would say avoid it.