Need some opinions: hitch mount or roof mount bike rack?

[lookaught]

First of all, I dont want to hear any crap about having a hitch. My A4 is my only car, and when you have a motorcycle obsession and your bikes arent street legal, you need a hitch to tow the trailer with your heavy ass motorcycles to the track.

On to the question at hand:

I've got two options, what would you do given my circumstances? Im very much on the fence between the two. Price is not an issue, its boils down to the pros and cons... Any input is appreciated!

1. Get a roof mounted system with fork mount racks. The only option Im considering is the Thule Aero bars and feet, with either the Peleton or Echelon fork mount racks. Total cost ~$400 as I already have the bars and just need the footpacks and racks... and I can probably get used racks on eBay or the like to push the price down to $300 total.

Pros of roof setup:
-cleaner look
-can use even when my trailer is attached
-marginally less expensive, maybe.
-able to add ski and roof box if wanted

Cons of roof setup:
-harder to load b/c need to remove wheel
-mud falls on car, its really muddy where i bike, no matter what time of year
-worse aerodynamics?

Looks just like XcartelX's setup:


2. Get the Thule T2 for my hitch. Its much easier to load b/c the front wheel can stay on, plus its at ground level and not on the roof. Easy to remove/install. Im a big fan of the Thule "sidearm" system b/c its soooo damn easy to use. My girlfriend has the sidearm system on her car's roofrack, and its great except its bulky, which is why Id opt for the fork mount if I went for a roof setup. Price is ~$330.

Pros of hitch setup:
-super easy to remove/install bike rack
-super easy to remove/attach bikes
-no front wheel removal
-better aerodynamics?
-mud falls on ground and not on car

Cons of hitch setup:
-I use it 2-3 times per week, so realistically itd be on the car pretty much all the time, and, well, its ugly!
-cant use the trailer if its on
-heavy!
-sideways rattle/wobble??

Looks like this, just imagine on a B6 avant:

[A4Avant02]

I use a roof rack for all my bikes. Also installed a fairing to help with the the drag issues when it is not in use. With bikes on top at 70 mph, I get about 22-24 mpg. Mine is set up to carry 4 bikes, with all front wheels on top, in separate wheel forks. The bikes are not that heavy and a front wheel even less so. Yakima products for me.

My preference is to use a roof rack for the versatility it will give you. Just as you mentioned, you can add a cargo box or ski rack and still have the trailer in tow.

[lookaught]

Does the fairing you have sit in front of or behind the sunroof. Notice how far back the first crossbar sits in the pic above? I seems like you would need to place the fairing in front of the sunroof and then have some long extensions going over the glass back to the crossbar.

I looked into this on my gf's car, but in the end we left off the fairing b/c the install was a PITA when it sits so in front of of the sunroof and the bar is behind.

[A4Avant02]

I have seen them mounted both ways. My set up uses the stock Yakima fairing mount so the front of the fairing rests, with pads, on the sunroof top. I can open the sunroof, but i don't lift the back of it. Opening it moves the panel down and back and I will typically open it partially. The fairing I use fits in between the roof rails.

I like this since the fairing support pads DO NOT sit on the body paint and reduces the potential for scratches. I have yet to see a scratch on the sunroof panel.

I have also seen the fairing mounted in front of the sunroof by using a custom bracket that extends the support arm and allows the front of the fairing to rest on the metal part of the roof. This gives full sunroof use, but not a real clean look.

[A4Avant02]

One thing you may consider too in regard to the hitch mount, is the additional overhang and how low you have your car.

It may not be an issue on an SUV, but with a lower sitting or lowered car, the additional length in the back end could potentialy scrape on an incline, i.e. like a parking garage ramp or inclined driveway etc..

[lookaught]

That's a good point about the overhang, looking at the car in the pic above it does seem like that could be an issue. Pittsburgh is an exceptionally hilly area as well, and while I dont have a steep driveway/garage, other places could be a problem.

What to do... what to doooooo. I think Im at least going to investigate putting the fairing on my gf's car, that seems like a worthwhile addition, especially since we already have it sitting in the garage. I suppose that right now Im leaning toward the roof mount, just b/c its so much cleaner looking and is versatile. hm.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[a88fl1]

Roof rack.

[CARTEL]

I like both personally. If I had an Allroad or something, I'd get a hitch mounted T2 or something, but I think that the roof is a much better option for the A4... Not to mention that it doesn't hinder your ability to get into the back of your avant.

[dubenvy]

I like both personally. If I had an Allroad or something, I'd get a hitch mounted T2 or something, but I think that the roof is a much better option for the A4... Not to mention that it doesn't hinder your ability to get into the back of your avant.

...and you don't have that ugly mount when the rack isn't attached. A roof rack with no bikes looks good. A hitch mount with no bikes looks ghey.

[D's Avant]

Roof rack is my vote.