hacker_720

Has anyone found a roof rack that works with the LS 500? I asked the dealer and they don't have any options. Something that is easy to remove would be a big bonus. I need one for my bicycle. Thanks.

Kansas

Not that it has anything to do with Lexus vehicles sold in North America but the gen 5 LS is the first LS generation for which bike racks are not offered by Lexus Europe. Both roof and hitch mounted bike racks were offered by Lexus Europe for the LS460/600.

My go-to source for bike racks and towing accessories has long been etrailer.com . They show only suction mount bike racks for the LS 500 if you are up for spending US$1,400 to carry one bike: https://www.etrailer.com/Roof-Bike-R...=20181816127#/

I suppose you could see if one of the general fit roof racks that etrailer shows for the 2017 LS460 would work on an LS 500: https://www.etrailer.com/roof-2017_Lexus_LS+460.htm#/ You would then have to buy bike attachments for the roof rack.

If you want to go full blown crazy - which I have been known to do - you could have rack channels professionally/permanently installed on your LS 500 roof. I've seen installations that looked quite nice.

I've used all types of bike racks including roof and trunk-mount and my preferred way to carry bikes, by far, is on hitch mounted bike racks for easy loading and to avoid wind noise and damage. I currently have both a 2-bike rack for class I/II receiver hitches and a 4-bike rack for class III receiver hitches. If you are a snow skier, attachments are available to carry skis on hitch mounted bike racks.

Unfortunately and unlike for all previous Lexus LS generations, it looks like nobody in North America sells ready-made receiver hitches for the LS 500. My suggestion is to look for a local hitch fabricator. I distinctly remember someone on this or another forum having a receiver hitch fabricated by a company in Toronto. If that doesn't work, here is a link to a very respected company that advertises it can fabricate a receiver hitch for any vehicle: https://torkliftcentral.com/trailer-...custom-hitches

For general amusement, here is a link to my post from 2007 that has a photo of a hitch mounted bike rack on the 2000 LS 400 I used to have: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ml#post2821096 I bought that crude hitch bike rack in 1990 when I bought my first Lexus LS and had a receiver hitch installed on it.

hacker_720

Wow, thank you so much for the detailed answer. I will check out all those options. I'm not against $1400 if it's a perfect solution, I may also want a roof top box for road trips because I hate anything in the cabin of the car.

E40D

Let's revisit this topic. Wanting roof rails + cargo basket for the road trips. Have a hitch mount for bikes. What options are out there?

Kansas

Etrailer now shows roof racks for the LS500: https://www.etrailer.com/roof-2020_Lexus_LS+500.htm

Give them a call. I've bought a lot of stuff from them and found them very helpful.

I don't see receiver hitches for the LS500 on the etrailer site or the hitch manufacturer sites I checked. I'd be surprised if one becomes commercially available since the LS500 is a very low production vehicle.

Like I said in my previous post, it's possible to have receiver hitches fabricated although it can get a bit pricey ... but so is your LS500. I've been working on a design for a light duty (class I) receiver hitch for the new mid-engine Corvette C8 that I might actually get if the Corvette factory ever reopens and catches up on the backlog. A local fabricator I've used in the past should have no difficulty welding it up. If it can be done for a Corvette, it can likely be done for an LS500.