Hollywood Racks E3 User Manual [en, es]

Installation Instructions for Hollywood
Model E3 Express bicycle carrier

When using your new Hollywood E3 Express rack, please follow
these important recommendations:

 Install the Express rack on structurally sound trunks and rear decks
only. If you own a Mini Van or Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), be sure to
read the special notes below.
 Never attach hooks to aluminum, plastic, glass, fiberglass or carbon
fiber. If in doubt, check the surface with a magnet. If the magnet

sticks, it’s okay to use the rack. If not, do not use the rack on the
subject vehicle. The rack strap hooks can damage non-steel surfaces. Hooks may be attached to roof rack
cross bars. Check the contour of the bar first to be certain that it will accept and retain the hook securely.

 Clean the surface of the trunk, rear door or deck lid before installation of the rack. Clean the surfaces of
the sponge pads on your Express rack. Dirt trapped between the pads of the rack and the trunk can scratch

the vehicle’s paint due to the abrasive composition of dirt.

 Tighten all six straps both before and after mounting bikes on the rack.
 Never place more than 100 lbs. (45 KG) on either the Express rack.
 Use the upper rubber tie down straps, two per bike when securing your bike(s) to the rack.
 Always use the attached Safety Strap after loading all of the bicycles onto the Express rack. This final

Safely Strap should be threaded through all of the bikes, and the frame of the Express rack itself.

 Keep the bicycle tires at least one foot away from the
exhaust pipe(s). Automotive exhaust is hot enough to melt
bicycle tires.

 Check the rack, bikes and straps regularly during use.
 Drive slowly when used on bumpy or rock/dirt surface

roads.

Mounting the Hollywood Express Rack on Your Vehicle:

Your new Express 3-bike rack comes to you fully assembled
in the box, so there is no assembly to do on the rack itself.
There will be some adjustment and set-up required so that the
Express will fit on your vehicle correctly. Please read and
adhere to all instructions as follows:

Fig. 2

1. After removing your Express rack from the box, loosen the black hubs by turning the hub adjustment
knobs counter-clockwise. This will allow the two sections of the rack frame to move relative to one another
for correct rack placement on your vehicle. Note how the teeth on the hubs interlock into place. See Fig. 2.
The Express is adjustable to clear small spoilers.

2. Adjusting the rack frame: Position the Express rack on the vehicle such that the bicycle support arms
are parallel to the ground, or angled slightly upward at the back of the rack. The rear brace should rest on a
steel trunk lid, or rear door. See Fig. 1. If necessary (especially on vans, station wagons and SUV’s) the
upper pads may rest on glass. This is because the weight of the rack and bicycles is support by the upper
straps, and the lower pads. Be careful not to interfere with the rear mounted wiper blade if the vehicle is so
equipped.

3. Once the proper rack position has been determined by adjusting the Express rack’s bicycle support arms
and rear brace, tighten the hubs by turning both black knobs in a clockwise (right hand thread) direction,

1

until snug and secure. Be sure that the teeth of the black hubs are interlocked evenly, so that the support
arms are perfectly parallel. Do not over-tighten the knobs. See Fig. 2.

4. Attaching the straps: Begin attaching straps with the upper (farthest forward) pair, placing the hooks in
the most forward trunk lid opening, and then pulling on the end of the strap until the proper length is
reached. Once the upper straps have been attached, the side and bottom straps can be attached in any order.

If your vehicle has a “soft” plastic bumper, the lower straps may be attached to the lower edge of the trunk
lid, or rear door opening instead of the bumper.

5. When all six straps are attached, pull firmly on each strap to make sure that the hooks are properly seated,
and that all straps are tight. After mounting the bikes, recheck and retighten all straps since the weight of
the bike(s) often adds tension to the upper straps, and removes and equal amount of tension and therefore
loosens the lower straps.

Mounting bike(s) to your Hollywood Express rack:

Fig. 3 Not Like This!

Fig. 4 Like this!

6. Attach the rubber straps (total 6) to the rubber cradles. Start with the round (end) hole of the strap

stretched over the diamond shaped “nub” on the cradle. Which hole you choose for the other “nub” will
depend on the diameter of the bicycle’s specific tube placed in the cradle. Each strap should snuggle firmly
and completely over the “nub.” Check to make certain that all straps are attached correctly before

proceeding. Be sure not to route straps over any cables (see Fig. 3.), but rather under them (see Fig. 4).

This will protect the finish on the bicycle frame and provide a more solid mounting on the Express rack.

7. Place the heaviest bike onto the rack first (closest to the vehicle), putting the bike’s top tube (usually) into

the rubber cradles on the support arms. It generally works out best to put the first bike’s handlebars on the
driver’s side of the car. Be sure to note the location of the pedal, as you may have to rotate the crank in
order to keep the pedal from hitting the vehicle. Pull the rubber strap across the bike’s frame tube and
attach it to the “nub” on the opposite side of the cradle for both right and left cradles. Straps should be snug,

but do not over-tighten the straps since this may shorten the useful life of the strap.

8. Once all the bikes are mounted on the Express Rack, and all the
rubber straps are pulled snug (but not over-stretched!) over their

respective “nubs,” use the attached nylon strap (fig 5). Wrap the loose
end of the strap around all the bikes (may be necessary to go through the
wheels), then insert into buckle, then tighten strap in buckle.

Remember to re-check all straps after the bicycles
have been mounted. Re-tighten straps as necessary.

Fig. 5