| An external rack is required to transport bicycles and skis with the Taurus SHO. Here's a rundown of shotimer's experiences with racking their cars. | |
Roof Racks |
There are two major manufacturers of
roof racks: Thule and Yakima. Each has offerings for the
Taurus sedan application. The racks use universal towers
with application-specific rubber bases and attaching
clips. Bars and attachments made to fit the Thule system are available from Terzo at much lower prices than the comparable Thule parts. Before installing a roof rack, take the time to sponge off the roof where the pads rest (and the pads themselves) so you won't grind grit into the paint. Mark the weather stripping so that you can easily install the racks in the same place every time. Because these racks clip onto the weather stripping, the seal at the clips is somewhat compromised. Don't take the car through a car wash with the rack in place! SHOtimers have reported varying degrees of success with both Thule and Yakima racks in preventing leaks, so it appears that individual installation has a lot to do with how well the seal works around the clips. Expect drastically higher wind noise with the rack in place. It may be loud enough that you will not want to drive with the moonroof open. You can get a fairing for either rack to alleviate this problem somewhat. |
Hitch Racks |
You only need a class II hitch (1 1/4") not a class III. Several manufacturers (e.g., Performance Brand Deluxe) make bike racks for the 1 1/4" receiver hitches. One of these racks is not as versatile as a roof rack, but nothing touches the paint, and wind noise is not aggravated. The trunk can typically be opened with the rack in place. The rack usually can be stored in the trunk when not in use to prevent theft. See SHO4hitch.html for more information. |
Trunk Racks |
Inexpensive trunk racks are available that strap onto the trunk lid for transporting bicycles. I wouldn't recommend one, as they can mar the paint, aren't especially secure for long trips, and may hang the bikes close enough to the car to cause cosmetic damage. |