No wiring needed for a bike rack hitch. If wiring became an issue for resale I would remove the hitch prior to selling.

Trailer lighting requirements vary buy state. In VA you can trailer most anything during daylight hours without special lighting but the taillights must remain visible to cars in the rear.

Your state/country may differ...
http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/trailer-lighting/

 

Checkout Kuat, 2-up, and Yakima for hitch racks as they'll all tilt out of the way. I've used all 3 on a fairly regular basis. The new Yakima's are pretty nice and really well made (old ones were not). 2-up's are about as secure as you'll get for a hitch rack, and because each tray is a bit more elevated, it helps retain the car's departure angle if driving off-road is something you'll do. The Kuat can be bought with a repair stand built into it, which is the main reason I got it.

The factory tow package that you're finding for 1K includes the harness and module. You have to run the harness from the hitch up through the tail light somewhere, but the module plugs in on the side of the trunk behind the carpet. The connection is already there - you just gotta mount the module and plug it in. No coding needed. If you ever plan on going to electronic shifting on a bike, getting the factory tow package is a no brainer. There are already companies making harnesses that plug into your tow package for charging the shifter group. At least on the Cayenne, this also acts as an alarm as disconnecting the harness while the car is locked sets off the alarm.

Labor to install an aftermarket hitch is basically the same labor to do the factory hitch. The only savings is in the cost of the hitch. If you google the PN, you might be able to find it cheaper. I seem to remember seeing the hitch package around $700, but could be wrong.

 

I prefer the sleeker look without rails. But I am thankful that mine came with the Porsche roof rack system that goes directly into the roof channels. So, crossbars when I rarely need them and slick top the rest of the time.

 

Both mine have them and I have taken them off only to put them back on. I only like the looks with. looks less sporty without IMO.

 

I agree Anthony. I like the way they look with the rails.

When viewing from the front or back, I like how the rails create a rise on both sides, and visual roof dip in the center. It sorta accentuates the hip bulge in the body.

Today's pic posted #1294
https://rennlist.com/forums/porsche-...l#post13251204

=Steve

 

To me the roof rails finish it. My wife agrees...

 

So why is the cayenne called the pig?

 

Because it is a fat and overweight vehicle.

 

It is actually P!G - the "!" is the warning light that ran perpetually on the '03-04 models.

And at one time I think it was Greenpeace - or one of the other "Green" organizations - awarded the Cayenne it's PIG award for being an excessive vehicle that used copious quantities of gasoline. They went to the extent of painting one pink, and adding a pig-face to the front end. There are photos of that floating around the web.

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/01/g...-is-a-big-pig/

 

The picture above as I recall is from an event and the people dressed their cars up this was during the whole Sally carrera thing from the movie. The theme of the cayenne was when pigs can fly. The TT being so fast for an SUV at the time they played on it. If you look closely at the picture it is a Porsche sponsored event. It has nothing to do with greenpeace. I love how the internet spins everything.

When the Cayenne was first introduced only a handful of Porsche enthusiasts like myself liked the SUV and the majority hated the entire concept calling it a bloated pig due to its 5500 pound weight.

I recall Larry LTC coining the phrase since he disliked them so much and was in dispute with Porsche for one reason or another he took every opportunity to bash them and felt everyone was drinking the kool aid. My 04TT has been running strong since day one and never once have I seen the infomous "!" discussed.

Ironic how loved these have now become and many appreciate the vehicle for its merits. In fact if it wasn't for the cayenne I doubt Porsche would be around today. I liked my TT so much I went back for a GTS. Still IMO a far better vehicle than the Macan. Although the Macan is not bad I instructed someone in a Macan turbo at our local Car control clinic the other day and it was really quite capable.


PS this picture dates back to 2005 IIRC long before Porsche even began discussing hybrids as denoted in the article. Journalists like that should not be employed.

 

Just bought roof rails because of this GTS - looks great in white.

 

Without......why look like every other ungainly SUV out there with roof rails?

 

Very cool history lesson. I always wondered why but finally got to ask. Honestly I feel like my 958 is the most spirited and fun SUVs on the road so I was confused why people kept calling it a PIG. The cayenne is does seem to hide its weight quite well.

 

I like it... I need it.... so I add more.

 

IMHO, the roof rack finishes off the SUV and gives it true utility. I've always owned SUV's and actually use these rails, so I will be adding to my newly purchased 958, soon. I understand the desire to go without for a streamline look, especially if they will never get used.