Yakima Kingpin Bike Hitch Rack

eorange · Mar 9, 2006

Does anyone have the Yakima Kingpin 4 bike hitch rack? Just looking for experiences with this rack w/ the 4Runner. Any issues with receiver depth and the spare tire?

(I've read this thread regarding the Hookup: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14321&highlight=YAKIMA)

abin · Mar 9, 2006

i bought kingpin-5 last spring. it is enough for bikes of mine, gf, and other two. so technically, four is no problem, five may need more time to squeeze.
don't have problem to spare tire. no cutting, sawing, or what so ever. very easy to mount, but better to carry a wrench in car to work on bolt. 2" is recommended, no 1 and 1/4.
may have picture around here i posted before.
hope this helps.

AlexJet · Mar 9, 2006

Kingpin is a good bike rack. If you like it, get one. Last spring I was choosing between Kingpin and Thule Express and I gone with Thule. Yakima has lock as an option, Thule as standard, Yakima locks up only outside bike ad if you putting one bike to inside position, you can't lock it; Thule locks all bikes. Yakima has "stabilizer" on one of the pins; Thule has the same, but optional lower "Stabilizer arm". What is the price you getting it? If it's cheap, get it. My were in the same price, that's why I gone with Thule. Anyway both are good racks and it's just preferences.

teotwaki · Mar 9, 2006

I highly recommend a Sportworks rack now owned by Thule at www.thuleracks.com 916 - T2 - 2 BIKE 2

eorange · Mar 9, 2006

The Sportworks rack is more than I want to spend. $200 feels about right for the Kingpin.

Is the Kingpin pretty rigid, i.e. does it sway much during freeway travel or does it stay put? How does it do with keeping 4 bikes from banging into each other?

Sounds like there's no issue with the spare tire.

gonzo · Mar 9, 2006

i have the yakima kingpin4. i haven't had any problems with it and it seems to do just what you would expect. i don't have anything to compare it to, but i am sure that there are other racks that are just as good.

when buying my yakima, i checked out the rack warehouse and rack attack. one had the lowest advertised price, the other offered to beat it by 5% (plus shipping was free). in the end i paid less for a brand new rack than what people were selling used ones for on ebay.

nated05 · Mar 9, 2006

I got mine from here works great, I also got the Yakima Dead lock just in case. Ive noticed no swaying or rattle with it at all.

http://www.orsracksdirect.com/orsracksdirect/yakima-8002401.html

eorange · Mar 9, 2006

Awesome info, esp. the links! Sounds like the Kingpin is what I'm looking for.

Last question - I assume when using the deadlock system, you can use it to lock just 1 or 2 bikes if that's all you're carrying that day?

nated05 · Mar 9, 2006

eorange said:
Awesome info, esp. the links! Sounds like the Kingpin is what I'm looking for.

Last question - I assume when using the deadlock system, you can use it to lock just 1 or 2 bikes if that's all you're carrying that day?

Yes, you can lock one or four it doesnt matter. Basically the lock is two parts one locks the pin to the hitch and the second part is a cable at the end of the right arm. The cable wraps around the frame of the bikes and then locks to itself again. Both lock have the same key, and if you dont need the cable you can slide it back into the arm of the rack.

eorange · Mar 9, 2006

Thanks guys! I am stoked

abin · Mar 10, 2006

main reason i chose yakima is because it offered 5 bikes capability, and i have many yakima products, roof rack, kayak kits, lowriders.
both thule and yakima are very good products.
here is a picture of last year.

teotwaki · Mar 10, 2006

abin said:
main reason i chose yakima is because it offered 5 bikes capability, and i have many yakima products, roof rack, kayak kits, lowriders.
both thule and yakima are very good products.
here is a picture of last year.

I understand the original price constraints that eorange has. For my parameters I wanted my bike locked down solid without swaying and bumping into other bikes when I am offroading to some locations. I also wanted to be able to haul downhill bikes which easily nudge the 50 pound mark.

It seems that some of us here in SoCal need to combine our MTB and 4x4 outings....

eorange · Mar 13, 2006

abin, thanks for that awesome pic. I like how the rack is nice and far away from the back bumper.

The Sportworks rack is no doubt nice, but I will just be hauling 2 adult and 2 kids bikes for the time being, plus no offroading (nowhere to legally offroad around here!) So the Kingpin will do it for me.

mandercruso · Mar 13, 2006

I have the KingPin4 and it's great. No problems so far:

I used it on a 2005 and 2006 4Runner and it didn't come close to touching the spare tire:

Because I have a FSR I had to buy an adapter for the bike to fit on the rack (costs around $25):

The Deadlock cable only locks the last bike. It's cool though because there is no way to steal the other bikes if the last one is locked.

Like I said, I've had no problems with it so far and would definitely recommend it.

~Amanda

eorange · Mar 14, 2006

Nice pics, especially the spare tire shot! I am getting antsy, my Trek comes back from the spring tune-up this Thursday. Although, it was almost 70 today but dropping overnight to the 30's.

Thanks for the info, I will be ordering the KingPin4 soon.

BTW, sorry about your 05, that really sucks. Amazing no one got hurt. Your 06 is nice, good color choice.

The TRD leather really looks good!

abin · Mar 14, 2006

nice pictures and very clean truck.
i had been LSU one time when i was in college. very beautful golf course there.

mandercruso · Mar 14, 2006

eorange said:
Nice pics, especially the spare tire shot! I am getting antsy, my Trek comes back from the spring tune-up this Thursday. Although, it was almost 70 today but dropping overnight to the 30's. Thanks for the info, I will be ordering the KingPin4 soon.

BTW, sorry about your 05, that really sucks. Amazing no one got hurt. Your 06 is nice, good color choice. The TRD leather really looks good!

thanks! You may have already mentioned it, but what Trek bike do you have? I currently have a 2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSRxc but I'm looking (or I was looking before the wreck) to get a 2006 Orbea Scape.

~Amanda

mandercruso · Mar 14, 2006

abin said:
nice pictures and very clean truck.
i had been LSU one time when i was in college. very beautful golf course there.

I'm assuming you mean the LSU Golf Course. It's nice, but not the best that Louisiana has to offer. I played in the state tournament there in high school... lovely rainy weather and they had to cancel the second day.... ah found memories lol!

eorange · Mar 14, 2006

mandercruso said:
but I'm looking (or I was looking before the wreck) to get a 2006 Orbea Scape

That is one nice bike.

I have a 2002 Trek 7200 hybrid. Just like there's no real place around here to go offroad...same thing for bikes. We have a huge Metropark system in Cleveland where you can ride paved and light trails, so the 7200 does fine for that.

Very happy with my Trek; the only thing I did is rip out the cheapo rim strips and replaced them with the cloth/fabric type.

brett682 · May 12, 2007

Am I the Only One?

I had to take off my spare to get my Yakima bike hitch on. What's up with that?!

Yakima Kingpin Bike Hitch Rack

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