Luggage Racks

[SixPac]

Re: Luggage Racks

Contact Aaron at ThunderbirdConcepts for a quote. He's the only one that can sell it to you from the manufacturer, which he is.

Please give the TBN members the info that you "hear so much of the stolen end of it". Nobody has reported a trunk rack being stolen. We have one member that sits on pins and needles that the trunk racks will be stolen and he doesn't even own one.

Let's get the fact straight.

[Brokenhammer]

Re: Luggage Racks

Just to revisit this subject. Now that some of you have had the luggage racks for awhile, do you have any concerns or complaints? Does it mark the finish? Just checking while I decide if I'm going to get one. Thanks.

[5bird7]

Re: Luggage Racks

don't know, Brokenhammer. As these just came out, few if any have had a chance to try them out for real. I'll be using mine at the end of April on the way to the Carolina Battleship Thunder event in NC.

btw - welcome to TBN with your first post.

[mbmjlm]

Re: Luggage Racks

Brokenhammer

I've had mine on my bird for about 1 1/2 months. It doesn't appear to leave marks on the finish. The rubber ends are pretty thick and protect the finish.
Hope this helps

Marvin

[Leroy]

Re: Luggage Racks

I think the real test will be after they've been used with a load on them at speeds of 70 or 80 MPH for long periods of time. There's very little wind resistance with nothing mounted on them. Leroy

[Bradford]

Re: Luggage Racks

I received mine, put it on mainly for a test fitting and to see what it looked like. Fits great, looks good, however, I will not keep it on the car, it's simply for travel. I did have it on the car for about a month, everyone who saw it, noticed it immediately and thought it looked great, I personally like the clean look without it. I did have to take a unexpected trip to Mississippi, decided to take the 'Bird as the weather was beautiful when I was headed out. No luggage on the rack. When I returned, I noticed the rubber pad under one of the "feet" was working it's way out from under that foot. I immediately removed the rack, luckily the rubber was still enough to avoid any damage, no damage of any kind at any mounting contact areas. I did several coats of wax before mounting the rack. I will re-glue the rubber pad before using the rack, and at that time, put it on, use it, not worry about paint damage, theft or anything else. If you could use the additional cargo capacity, it's definitely a good deal.

[THHNDR]

Re: Luggage Racks

I see powersports now has their luggage rack available. It is narrower in depth and can be placed in the trunk when not in use. I have a rack from thunderbird concepts and am completely satisfied. The one from powersports is of stouter stock but I wonder if that stoutness would put too much preasure on the contact points of the composite trunk. It's good to have options and to see new products available for our cars.

[redbirdsal]

Re: Luggage Racks

Does anyone here have the rack from PowerSports?

http://www.powersportcars.com/accessories/item.asp?ITEM_ID=84&DEPARTMENT_ID=46

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Luggage Racks

Not to be negative here, but. The front supports are not over a stress part of the trunk lid, and it sure looks to me like Aaron my have some infringement rights here also, due to similarity of the style, footings, and mounting hardware.

I am very very happy with Aarons. And on our recent cruise here, Spence had his on his Bird, and it got many a rave!!

[5bird7]

Re: Luggage Racks

I suspect that both were made by the same manufacturer.

[Leroy]

Re: Luggage Racks

Surco makes trunk racks for 02-05 Tbirds but they will not sell you one. You have to buy through a dealer. I priced one today through Autoanything.com for $254.00 with free shipping and after talking to them on the phone I got another 10% discount for a total of $229.00. I didn't order it yet. I think it's the same one TBC sells but I'm not sure, no picture but similar advertising. The one Powersport sells is made by Surco also, and I like it better becuase of the heavier tubing and that it will fit in the trunk. I would like to see more pics of it though. Leroy

[007Cruiser]

Re: Luggage Racks

If they are made at the same factory, they are three distinct designs. The Surco skimps on cross pieces and as for the Powersport, no comment.

[T-Bird Concepts]

Re: Luggage Racks

I just want to let you guys know that the Thunderbird Concepts Trunk Rack concept, design, and manufacturing is ONE HUNDRED PERCENT done by us, and was collaborated with TBN MEMBERS on the design and function FIRST.

I did ask around to other manufacturer's to see if they would be interested in manufacturing it for us. Usually, when a car like the Tbird is discontinued, a lot of manufacturer's will not bother with it. So, I wasn't really worried about an imitation.

Surco, the manufacturer that has made the Trunk Rack you see from Powersports and AutoAnything was one of the first manufacturer's that I spoke to when I had my prototype done. I ended up sending them a photo via email of our prototype on the my Tbird asking them if they could manufacturer the Trunk Rack for us. My design did not meet there manufacturing capabilities... as you can see we would have had to use a 7/8" tubing as well as a few other major details. This was going to change my design too much and I really wanted to go with the beautiful design of our first prototype.

I ended up going with a top of the line manufacturing shop here in San Diego, and we now have an excellent product.

Surco did send me their new rack about a month ago to test out (the one from powersport and autoanything). Of course I prefer the Thunderbird Concepts Trunk Rack design.

Thanks again for everyone's support on this very tough project. I think it turned out great!

...

[Gwfl]

Re: Luggage Racks

Aaron, I put my luggage rack on 5 seconds after I recieved it and have not taken it off yet (I need to reposition it a bit as you pointed out) even though I bought it just for long cruises. I absolutly love the look it gives to my bird and I get tons compliments on the overall look of the car. I'll take it off soon but I bet it goes right back on.
The other racks being discussed just don't seem to fit the sleek styling of the T-bird and don't look like they would flow with the lines very well. If I had one of those it would be hanging from the garage rafters until needed only.

Once again Great job.

Gary

[5bird7]

Re: Luggage Racks

I just want to let you guys know that the Thunderbird Concepts Trunk Rack concept, design, and manufacturing is ONE HUNDRED PERCENT done by us, and was collaborated with TBN MEMBERS on the design and function FIRST.

...
Surco, the manufacturer that has made the Trunk Rack you see from Powersports and AutoAnything was one of the first manufacturer's that I spoke to when I had my prototype done. ...

I ended up going with a top of the line manufacturing shop here in San Diego, and we now have an excellent product.

Surco did send me their new rack a little while ago to test out (the one from powersport and autoanything). Of course I prefer the Thunderbird Concepts Trunk Rack design.

Thanks again for everyone's support on this very tough project. I think it turned out great!

...

Thanks for straightening us out on who made what, Aaron. I get compliments from other owners on the look and they want to know where I got it.