The two cross bars are a muted silver. I'll provide pictures, I already took some for someone else but they are home. The location of the cross bars is adjustable so if you set it up right you can actually open the back window as well with the bike in its normal carry positioin, and you can tilt the rack down with the bike on it and open the entire liftgate.

If the silver bothers you too much... they are separate pieces from the main portion. You could unbolt the wheel troughs... take out the limit screw and slide off the back wheel strap and I think even remove the ratchet arm... then take it to any body shop and have them paint it black. Shouldn't cost that much.... However you might want a bit of reflective tape on them after that, I put it on mine. When the bike is on and the rack is lowered it sticks a far bit back from the vehicle. In the dark I'd be kind of worried some idiot might get too close and smack it.

Incidentally... you can order a "one-key" lock kit and what Thule calls a Snug tite lock for it. The lock it is a set of lock inserts that fit into the rack and the snug tite so they all use the same key. The snug-tite is a lock that fits over the bolt holding the rack to the receiver, so it can't be taken off the vehicle without a key.

 

I meant to post a picture of the Hidden Hitch Model #70758 earlier.
[ https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi...erposition.jpg ]
An impressive part of the design is how flush the receiver sits when not in use. I can't see any way a shin could contact it before some other part of the leg hit the bumper.

 

Teester, if you already taken the photos, seeing T2 in action will be great, especially on the FEH!

I'll resist the temptation of re-painting it all black for now, because it is a good point that other drivers might run into it when my car body color is already black. I just wonder how "flush" it folds up against the back. But from what I've heard so far, this rack is amazing!

edit: yes, I'll definitely get the lock at the same time when I place the order (don't want this investment to be stolen?)

 

I just posted the 4 picts in the Share folder... I had to compress them a bit because the full size versions weren't going through.

I measured it... with my Draw-Tite hitch it sticks 14" out stowed and 33.5" when open. It would be a bit different with a different hitch.

https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi...6_edited-1.jpg
https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi...5_edited-1.jpg
https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi...8/P9070581.jpg
https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi...0_edited-2.jpg

In the first picture I've tilted the bike down and opened the hatch.

Hope that helps you make you decision!

 

This rack is amazing! Thanks for sharing the photos!

I still don't know how the silver will contrast against my black FEH, it might look good. We'll see when my order comes in.

ps. Nice bike too, TeeSter

 

Just put on a Hidden Hitch # 70758 last night. Took about 2.5 beers (45 min).

It hangs about 1" lower than the bumper cover. Installed with zero issues and NO drilling. Fish the bolt and backings from the open end of the frame (towards the rear).

-R

https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi...2/P1000290.JPG
https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi...2/P1000291.JPG
https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi...2/P1000293.JPG
https://www.greenhybrid.com/share/fi...2/P1000294.JPG

 

Too many beers.

 

Normally, yes.

But in this instance it's a new camera.

-R

 

Just like mine. It's a neat hitch. BUT what happened to the extra half beer? Christening?

Hal

 

so i just got my hitch today from ups. i didn't have a lot of time, so i just unpacked it and checked everything out. my frame ends aren't open, and the spacers won't fit into any of the holes on the driver's side OR passenger side. the instructions say that's possible on the driver's side, but the passenger side should be ok. am i missing something?

my FEH is a 2006 and the hitch is a draw-tite class II 36420