@Vercingetorix how is this setup working out?
Yakima Exo install
Decided to take the plunge and ordered a Yakima Exo swing base, top shelf, gear locker and backdeck for my Metris. I got mine through REI and had it shipped to the store. Free shipping plus I will get 10% back in dividends next year. So anyways here goes, hopefully I can get the pictures in order.
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This is the unit in the box. The first issue is the included hitch pin and lock is not compatible with the stock Mercedes trailer hitch. The included pin is too long. It may work if you just want to use the clip, but that wouldn’t be theft proof. I had an aftermarket pin I purchased from etrailer a few years ago that should have worked, but it never tightened down and ended up stripping before I got to 100nm the directions say to tighten the bolt.
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The rest of the installation pretty much followed the instructions.
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This is the unit in the box. The first issue is the included hitch pin and lock is not compatible with the stock Mercedes trailer hitch. The included pin is too long. It may work if you just want to use the clip, but that wouldn’t be theft proof. I had an aftermarket pin I purchased from etrailer a few years ago that should have worked, but it never tightened down and ended up stripping before I got to 100nm the directions say to tighten the bolt.
The rest of the installation pretty much followed the instructions.
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It’s basically been sitting, it will get some more use this summer.
I just returned home from a 2 week camping trip where I got a chance to try out my new Yakima EXO system which included the Doubleup bike rack and the Gear Locker. The system was easy to use and the SwingBase and pivoting Topshelf worked as expected. The bike rack is easy to use, fits any bike with no adjustments needed, and it has individual cable locks for each bike. The gear locker fits lots equipment, including my 5 lb propane tank (what a great acquisition- I filled it for $5 before I left and it lasted me 12 days - replacing 6-$8 1lb green canisters. It almost paid for itself on this one trip). Unfortunately I need 3 different SKS keys to operate all the different locks!
The system is heavy! The Yakama SwingBase is 68.5 lbs, the Gear Locker is 27.8 lbs, the Topshelf is 33.5 lbs, and the bike rack is 37.5 lbs. Thats more than 167 lbs without bikes or gear. The EXO system is all tongue weight. According to p. 315 of my owners manual and this discussion https://www.metrisforum.com/threads/max-hitch-weight-via-hitch-rack.9797/ the maximum permissible nose weight is 500 lbs, which is the recommended 0.1 of the towing rating of 5000 lbs.
Loaded with 2 bikes that each weigh about 30 lbs, and with a charcoal grill, charcoal, a tarp, 2 folding chairs, a shower tent, a 5 lb propane tank, and a lantern and some other camping gear in the Gear Locker I noticed no change in the Metris’ handling. My gas mileage over my 1000 mile trip was maybe 0.1 mpg less than the 23.1 mpg I have been getting. I did scrape one extra-tall speed bump at the beginning of the trip, but otherwise had no problems with clearance.
What I did notice is that when we hit those highway dips before and after some bridges, I could see in my rear view mirror the bikes bouncing up and down what seemed to be about 6 inches. It was a little disconcerting to see that but I figured that both Yakima and Mercedes know what they are doing so I tried to ignore it. Also, you may be able to see in the side photo that there is quite a bit of extra clearance over the front wheel than in the back. It looks like the front is being slightly raised by the weight at the rear. Maybe I’ll need to look into getting some heavier duty shocks/stabilizers and perhaps a 1.5 to 2” lift (one thing always leads to another!).
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The system is heavy! The Yakama SwingBase is 68.5 lbs, the Gear Locker is 27.8 lbs, the Topshelf is 33.5 lbs, and the bike rack is 37.5 lbs. Thats more than 167 lbs without bikes or gear. The EXO system is all tongue weight. According to p. 315 of my owners manual and this discussion https://www.metrisforum.com/threads/max-hitch-weight-via-hitch-rack.9797/ the maximum permissible nose weight is 500 lbs, which is the recommended 0.1 of the towing rating of 5000 lbs.
Loaded with 2 bikes that each weigh about 30 lbs, and with a charcoal grill, charcoal, a tarp, 2 folding chairs, a shower tent, a 5 lb propane tank, and a lantern and some other camping gear in the Gear Locker I noticed no change in the Metris’ handling. My gas mileage over my 1000 mile trip was maybe 0.1 mpg less than the 23.1 mpg I have been getting. I did scrape one extra-tall speed bump at the beginning of the trip, but otherwise had no problems with clearance.
What I did notice is that when we hit those highway dips before and after some bridges, I could see in my rear view mirror the bikes bouncing up and down what seemed to be about 6 inches. It was a little disconcerting to see that but I figured that both Yakima and Mercedes know what they are doing so I tried to ignore it. Also, you may be able to see in the side photo that there is quite a bit of extra clearance over the front wheel than in the back. It looks like the front is being slightly raised by the weight at the rear. Maybe I’ll need to look into getting some heavier duty shocks/stabilizers and perhaps a 1.5 to 2” lift (one thing always leads to another!).
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Ok, I'm totally sold. Just wish they were in stock anywhere. Thanks for the review @DEC557 . What sort of screens do you have?
What options do we have for rekeying to a single key? That would annoy me.
What options do we have for rekeying to a single key? That would annoy me.
Try REI, get 10% back If you’re a member. Key cores are sold there as well.Ok, I'm totally sold. Just wish they were in stock anywhere. Thanks for the review @DEC557 . What sort of screens do you have?
What options do we have for rekeying to a single key? That would annoy me.
@Vercingetorix I bought 2 of these screens - [Upgraded Version] Magnetic Screen Door 74"x81", Homitt Durable Fiberglass Mesh Curtain, Magnet Patio Door with Full Frame Hook & Loop, Auto Closer Fits Door Size up to 72"x80" Max- Black - - Amazon.comOk, I'm totally sold. Just wish they were in stock anywhere. Thanks for the review @DEC557 . What sort of screens do you have?
What options do we have for rekeying to a single key? That would annoy me.
For the back I attached a barbed Velcro strip on the steel around the outside of the opening, aligned the screen so that the magnetic opening is offset to the right and left and top Velcro strips on the screen are left intact, trimmed the right side and the bottom, and glued/sewed a Velcro strip to the right side. We did something similar for the side door opening where we stuck strips of Velcro barbed material underneath the inside side of the rubber gasket and tucked the screen into the Velcro‘d gasket opening, with the magnetic door opening offset to the right to minimize the amount of cutting and trimming needed. It involved about $65 in materials and about 3-4 hours of labor to cut and install them. The screens have worked pretty well so far.
Oh, I tried. Been a member since the 70's (from Seattle). They have the accessories, but not the base. Some retailers are showing stock (incorrectly) with a September delivery estimate. Meaning, they are out of stock also. I'll wait till September and check back with REI. Like you point out, the rebate is worth it. Free pick up at stores has been great also.Try REI, get 10% back If you’re a member. Key cores are sold there as well.
Nice. Have you seen how the sprinter guys are wrapping the screen boarder under the rear rubber seal? They have the screen stitched with a ripstop boarder. They then install it under the door seal by pulling up the seal, laying the ripstop over the metal edge and then reinstall the seal. I might try that. The screens made for the van are very expensive. DIY seams like an obvious solution.... It involved about $65 in materials and about 3-4 hours of labor to cut and install them. The screens have worked pretty well so far.
I have 5 A152 cores and 2 keys, 5 A143 and 2 keys and 1 A145 with 2 keys for sale if anybody needs them.
Can you move the arms out a notch like you can the top shelf arms? I suppose they figure you aren't installing it on the lower with the topshelf installed because of the obvious interference.
Might be possible, but the reason I want to use the lower position is that it carries more weight, which I assume only applies when all the way in.
I get it. Seems like they just assumed you would take the topshelf off when using the lower rack since the arms would interfere with the bikes.Might be possible, but the reason I want to use the lower position is that it carries more weight, which I assume only applies when all the way in.
Also been thinking about rotating the bike mount 180 degrees, but Yakima seems to want it in this orientation. I have a ticket in with Yakima right now.
The TopShelf post does not remove easily. Safety Torx bits.I get it. Seems like they just assumed you would take the topshelf off when using the lower rack since the arms would interfere with the bikes.
If you could eek out another inch to prevent the interference are you able to load bikes with the arms?The TopShelf post does not remove easily. Safety Torx bits.
Loading bikes is no problem. It’s having this arm rattle around and removing paint when not carrying bikes is the issue. Reversing the arms wont work either, they will hit in the middle. I’m thinking I’ll just live with it and take advantage of their lifetime warranty the minute rust appears. They are literally 15 minutes from my house.
@DEC557 does your DoubleUp hit your TopShelf post when mounted at the lower position? View attachment 19345
Yes, it brushes up against it, but doesn’t seem to be a big deal as long as the plastic housing and tire hook are in the upper position.@DEC557 does your DoubleUp hit your TopShelf post when mounted at the lower position? View attachment 19345
View media item 1530@Vercingetorix I bought 2 of these screens - [Upgraded Version] Magnetic Screen Door 74"x81", Homitt Durable Fiberglass Mesh Curtain, Magnet Patio Door with Full Frame Hook & Loop, Auto Closer Fits Door Size up to 72"x80" Max- Black - - Amazon.com
For the back I attached a barbed Velcro strip on the steel around the outside of the opening, aligned the screen so that the magnetic opening is offset to the right and left and top Velcro strips on the screen are left intact, trimmed the right side and the bottom, and glued/sewed a Velcro strip to the right side. We did something similar for the side door opening where we stuck strips of Velcro barbed material underneath the inside side of the rubber gasket and tucked the screen into the Velcro‘d gasket opening, with the magnetic door opening offset to the right to minimize the amount of cutting and trimming needed. It involved about $65 in materials and about 3-4 hours of labor to cut and install them. The screens have worked pretty well so far.
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Here are a couple of photos showing the Velcro on the steel around the back gate and the screen tucked up into the gasket on the passenger side opening. This was a lot easier than removing the gasket and re-installing it over the screen
Looks great. Didn't mean to hijack the exo thread with the screen, but looking good. I think I am going to try this one. We have a 7yo and think two magnetic strips might be more forgiving and I should be able to roll it up.
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