Hitch mounted bike rack...

[Dilong26]

Hey guys, I just bought a Yakima DoubleDown 4 for $120 at amazon.

Heres the link:
Amazon.com: Yakima DoubleDown 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack: Sports & Outdoors

Question:
1. Do any of you guys leave your bike rack on the hitch long term?
2. If I did, is there anything bad that would happen?

 

[habanero]

Question:
1. Do any of you guys leave your bike rack on the hitch long term?
2. If I did, is there anything bad that would happen?

1)
Yes, I leave the rack on long term.

2)
Fold the arms down or back into parking spaces, people have a tendency to walk into them.
Could be considered blocking your license plate. I've not had issues though.
More exposure to the elements.

 

[desertred]

Wow. You must have gotten the only one left at that price. Current price is $45 higher (still not a bad deal). Good score.

 

[desertred]

Off-road use approved...check.
4 bikes at under $600...check
No wheel removal required...check
No frame contact...check

North Shore Racks

Thanks for posting the link to NSR racks. I was unfamiliar with them. Unfortunately, the NSR will not work for my planned application, but it is a great setup otherwise.

OT - Every time I see a red TE, it just opens up my thought process in trading up my SR5. Nice Knolly BTW.

 

[jambo]

Can anyone recommend any hitch mounted bike racks?
heh...this will be my first accessory on the 4runner...

Thinking about a capacity of 4 mountain bikes...

Thanks!

4/23/2011 8:20AM update...
wow, there are alot of bike racks out there. now i am wondering if i should be looking at the type where the tires are resting on the rack or the type where the rack is supporting the bike by the bike frame...

I got Yakima swing daddy and it is awesome

 

[characterzero]

Thanks for posting the link to NSR racks. I was unfamiliar with them. Unfortunately, the NSR will not work for my planned application, but it is a great setup otherwise.

OT - Every time I see a red TE, it just opens up my thought process in trading up my SR5. Nice Knolly BTW.

Thanks!
Truck is up for sale - going back to a pick up truck.

That knolly is actually getting replaced with a Chilcotin - just waiting on the rear hub conversion kit!

 

[scanny]

Question:
1. Do any of you guys leave your bike rack on the hitch long term?
2. If I did, is there anything bad that would happen?

I would leave my racks if it had foldable arm. But since I have old rack which stick out at 3 bikes length I remove it when I get home : )

I don't think anything bad would happen just maybe it will be more likely to rust but I don't think it's a real concern with a good rack.

 

[veloindy]

1upUSA is the best bike rack I've ever used.

 

[Colin+M]

1upUSA is the best bike rack I've ever used.

Have you tried the 1upusa rack on the 4runner? I have had a 1upusa for a few years and tried to put it in my 2013 TE hitch and it wouldn't fit. The same rack fits in my wife's honda pilot. I guess I'm gonna have to file the corners of the 4runner's hitch to allow it to fit.

Did you have any issues? If you haven't tried it yet, you might be just as surprised as I was that it didn't fit.

I also tried to mount it in my sister-in-law's 2011 SR5 and no go there as well.

 

[veloindy]

Have you tried the 1upusa rack on the 4runner? I have had a 1upusa for a few years and tried to put it in my 2013 TE hitch and it wouldn't fit. The same rack fits in my wife's honda pilot. I guess I'm gonna have to file the corners of the 4runner's hitch to allow it to fit.

Did you have any issues? If you haven't tried it yet, you might be just as surprised as I was that it didn't fit.

I also tried to mount it in my sister-in-law's 2011 SR5 and no go there as well.

I used it the last 2 weekends, no issues at all. My rack is only a few months old. I'm willing to bet if you call them, they'll take care of it.

I don't want to state the obvious. You know there are two different hitch sizes from 1up, right? I have the 1 1/4" with a 2" adapter.

 

[joneseyyy]

1upusa fits my 2010 TE.

 

[veloindy]

1upusa fits my 2010 TE.

Did you paint your tray black? I've never seen with a silver base and black tray / arms. Looks good!

 

[flying fuzz]

Have you tried the 1upusa rack on the 4runner? I have had a 1upusa for a few years and tried to put it in my 2013 TE hitch and it wouldn't fit. The same rack fits in my wife's honda pilot. I guess I'm gonna have to file the corners of the 4runner's hitch to allow it to fit.

Did you have any issues? If you haven't tried it yet, you might be just as surprised as I was that it didn't fit.

I also tried to mount it in my sister-in-law's 2011 SR5 and no go there as well.

I wouldn't modify the truck I would modify the one thing that doesn't fit, if you were to remove metal off the 4runner then maybe the 1upusa would fit but other hitch accessories will then have slop. Unless anything you stuff in the receiver hitch doesn't fit then yeah grind away...

 

[Colin+M]

I used it the last 2 weekends, no issues at all. My rack is only a few months old. I'm willing to bet if you call them, they'll take care of it.

I don't want to state the obvious. You know there are two different hitch sizes from 1up, right? I have the 1 1/4" with a 2" adapter.

I do realize there are different sizes. I am trying to use the 2 inch.

How long have you guys had your racks? Maybe they make them different now as mine won't insert more than 1/4 inch without binding. I bought mine about 2 years ago.

Its almost like the 1up male end is square-ish with 90 degree corners and the receiver hitch on the 4runner has rounded off corners. Like I said earlier, the rack fits fine in my wife's Pilot but I'd have to hammer it in on the 4runner.

I'll contact 1upusa maybe they can offer some insight. I know I was bummed out since one of the reasons I wanted a SUV was to be able to haul my bike and I can't even do that.

 

[veloindy]

I do realize there are different sizes. I am trying to use the 2 inch.

How long have you guys had your racks? Maybe they make them different now as mine won't insert more than 1/4 inch without binding. I bought mine about 2 years ago.

Its almost like the 1up male end is square-ish with 90 degree corners and the receiver hitch on the 4runner has rounded off corners. Like I said earlier, the rack fits fine in my wife's Pilot but I'd have to hammer it in on the 4runner.

I'll contact 1upusa maybe they can offer some insight. I know I was bummed out since one of the reasons I wanted a SUV was to be able to haul my bike and I can't even do that.

I figured you knew, but you never know...

My rack was purchased last summer, so fairly new.

Any chance you can post a pic?

 

[Colin+M]

Not sure if it matters, but my rack is the convertible one from 1 1/4 to 2 inch.

What about you guys?

 

[veloindy]

Not sure if it matters, but my rack is the convertible one from 1 1/4 to 2 inch.

What about you guys?

Mine too.

 

[Colin+M]

Mine too.

are the edges of the insertable rack rounded off or do they have sharp transitional edges like a square?

Something is definitely up with mine


UPDATE:

Just got a reply from 1upusa, they are sending out another 2 inch adapter with rounded off edges at no cost. How refreshing to have a great company that stands behind their products!!!

The best bike rack out there also has the best customer service, hands down.

 

[Tengu]

Softride Dura

Softride dura is what I went with. It rides well, tilts out of the way, comes with a lock for the hitch mount, has a cable to lock bikes to it, and allows up to 4 bikes. By tilts out of the way, I mean it does it in a fashion where the bikes never touch the ground and you can still open the lift gate. Google it, there are better photos.

 

[Bay33saw]

Womans Cruiser and bike rack

OK I now have a dilemma I am in the market for a hitch mounted bike rack, now while I have a 29er mtb I was going to go with the Yakima double down rack.
My wife just said she did not want a mtb but wants a beach cruiser, can anyone suggest what type of rack would be better.

The type where on the rack they sit on the frame (which I don't think will work for the female cruiser type because of the low slung down tube) like the Yakima double down

OR the type where the wheels sit in the rack, I'm clueless as to which route to go, I don't even know the wheelbase of the cruiser, all the ones I have seen have long wheelbases????