Star washers for trunk rack mounting?

[AtomicEd]

On the Goldwings, the trunk lid was prone to cracking over time, even with little weight on a trunk rack. The solution was the use of large washers or Big Bike star washers underneath the rack mounting posts to spread the weight to a larger surface area.

Has there been any problem with the RT trunk lid cracking over time with the continued use of a loaded trunk rack? And yes, I am aware of the 15 lb. weight limitation on the rack, but stuff happens.

[Little Blue]

That's a great idea. Thanks for the heads up. ...

[Bfromla]

Don’t know about star washers for that. Good for soft lead battery terminals, think maybe something like stainless fender washers may better just for bigger surface area distribution. also something soft to help prevent mating the paint/plastic. If is not going to be a permanent modification.

[RICZ]

+1 for ss fender washers. But place a rubber washer between the plastic and the washer. ACE Hardware is you source for these if you don't have any on hand. Do not over tighten.

[pegasus1300]

I have had Big Bike Parts Star washers under my rack posts for 5 years and no cracks yet. B and others these are not the "star" washers we put on batteries, but large diameter chrome washers with small bore holes about the same size as the bolts that hold the racks on. I think that Value Accessories has them and you can see them their.

https://store.valueaccessories.net/s...s+Star+Washers

[AtomicEd]

Thanks for providing the clarification on star washers Pegasus. Easy to confuse the two items with the same name.

I still would like to hear if the star washers/fender washers are even necessary. When I drilled the mounting hole in the trunk lid I noticed that the lid has a lot more strength and support than the Goldwing lid. Has anyone had their trunk lid crack due to the use of a trunk rack?

And by the way, you can get black star washers directly from Big Bike parts to match your black rack.

[Lew L]

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I had the top rack on my 2014 RTS since new. Added a support on the front center of the rack but probably isn't necessary. Just used plane washers to spread the contact area where the rack is bolted on. NO cracks but not overloaded either.

Lew L

[2dogs]

https://store.valueaccessories.net/C...ggageRack.aspx

When I bought this rack I also ordered the star washers. (not the battery cable type) After having everything in my hands I began the fitting process. I quickly tossed the star washers and went with large fender washers on the underside of the trunk lid. I had to do some bending and fitting to make them match the curvature of the lid. Star washers won't bend nicely or eaisly. 50k miles and no cracks (yet). But, I never overload this rack.