Hitch mounted bike rack...

1upUSA is the best hitch rack ever made. Worth the cost. Nearly ALL metal construction (no cheap faded plastic parts), can be added/removed from s vehicle in about 7 seconds, made in the USA, simple design etc. I actually made a YouTube video on how easy it is to take on and off a car or truck.
http://youtu.be/89ucdWansvM

The only downside I see to the 1up is the lock offerings. To get matched key hitch and bike locks you have to order them together extra at $19 a piece. And the bike lock is just a wheel lock, so pretty worthless with quick release wheels. So you'd need to buy some kind of extra cable lock that would not be integrated. Not a huge deal, but something to consider and takes away some of the convenience factor.
 
I use a saris Thelma 2. Doesn't touch the fame and easy to use. I am about to make an extension to be able to mount my sons bike (#3) on there also. They make a 3 bike but no one bought mine so it's cheaper for me to mod it.
 
The only downside I see to the 1up is the lock offerings. To get matched key hitch and bike locks you have to order them together extra at $19 a piece. And the bike lock is just a wheel lock, so pretty worthless with quick release wheels. So you'd need to buy some kind of extra cable lock that would not be integrated. Not a huge deal, but something to consider and takes away some of the convenience factor.



The locks that are included in other rack systems are a joke anyways, they are thin cables & you could easily just add your own lock of choice to the 1up. Just food for thought!
 
1up for the win! Haha
db17f1f1bdf9fa576a479a8e8abbe67b.jpg
 
before Thule bought the design, the T2 was made by a company called Sportworks:

SPORTWORKS INTRODUCES NEW TRANSPORT T2 ON TIME - Pinkbike

i bought mine from a co-worker in 2009. he bought it originally in late 2006. it works, and has never let me down. and it's super sturdy. i'd probably buy another one (used) if i needed to. it's been hit a couple times, dragged on the ground more than a few times. still does it's thing. all i need to do is shoot some lube into the release lever thing once every blue mood and it's as good as new.
 
1up USA

I cannot recommend this rack enough. I have the single, black anodized with one add-on rack. The design is beautifully simple, and very well done. It's extremely easy to mount, and almost easier to load and unload your bike. After having 2 bikes on a number of rough roads, I can also say that it is very stable. I do check the rack tightness after a rough road because it will typically loosen up over a long rough trek, although never enough to make me feel like it would fall off. Just enough for me to notice a little more rocking side to side than normal. Easy twist of the wrench before hitting the road and you're good to go.

A few big pluses: The almost all aluminum construction, meaning great strength to weight ratio, and a long lift span. The ability to have the single rack makes keeping the rack on the truck full time extremely convenient because even in the stowed position, you can open and access the cargo area. For me this is a big benefit as it makes the likelihood of me riding at the end of the day much higher.

Ultimately it comes down to a person's list of features that they want on the rack that will sway them one way or another. For me, this one is the winner and I highly recommend it to anyone who asks me for my opinion. At the end of the day, as long as the bike makes it to the trail head that's all that matters :thumb3:


image_zpsrzjt0eli.jpeg~original

image_zpsvupbsnmq.jpeg~original
 
I went with the Kuat NV. I also bought a Rack Stash mount for garage storage...hopefully that holds up well.

I like the Kuat so far.
 
Went off-roading last weekend in my 2016 SR5P and my buddies 2010 SR5... During the excursion, we both alternated on who was carrying 2 bikes on their rack.

My 1up didn't hardly flinch at all, even during technical terrain - whereas his rack bounced back and forth with each bump and dip. 1up is so solid.


Left, my 1up and R is my buddies Thule
a6a9420202e01120003d9fbf5feec4a8.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I bought a 1up Super Duty for the simplicity of the design. For those that have them or considering, get yourself a nice cable with no lock and get a Bolt brand lock from Amazon. I hate carrying extra keys and these locks use your Toyota Key. I have Bolt locks for cables for bikes, Trailer coupler lock, hitch pin lock etc. All use my truck key. Always with you, no extra keys to carry. They even make cylinder locks for tool boxes (and will be on my trailer build for doors and hatches).
 
I am on my second Thule Rack.

The current one they don't make any more. The closest thing to it is the THULE 9027 Apex Swing Away Bike Rack. It swings to the right so I can get into the back of the vehicle. Some plastic parts. Not as robust. I don't like the locking mechanism and it is rusted solid now. Some rust on other parts.

The one before it, had two swing arms so I could swing right or left and out. Much better design. Better QA/QC. Better materials. Robust. Very little rust after several years on the vehicle. Carried 4 bikes. If the diplomat hadn't run into me, I would stull be using it.

IMHO, Thule is going down hill. I don't know what I will do when this one dies. I usually only carry one bike. I hope to have this one for a couple more years. I am currently driving a 2003 Ford Explorer, looking to get the new 4Runner. Thinking I may ditch the rack and put the bike in the back.
 
I bought a 1up Super Duty for the simplicity of the design. For those that have them or considering, get yourself a nice cable with no lock and get a Bolt brand lock from Amazon. I hate carrying extra keys and these locks use your Toyota Key. I have Bolt locks for cables for bikes, Trailer coupler lock, hitch pin lock etc. All use my truck key. Always with you, no extra keys to carry. They even make cylinder locks for tool boxes (and will be on my trailer build for doors and hatches).

tell me more about the bolt locks from amazon.... do you have a part #, model # or link? these sound interesting

Thanks
 
I ended up getting a Yakima Holdup 2.

Was very close to pulling the trigger on the 1up, but I ended up getting a significant discount (289$+tax) on the Yakima rack. Really couldn't justify a literal 2x cost for the 1up. And, used Yakimas are going for 3-350 same day in my area, so I know I can easily dump it for cost if necessary.

So far so good with the Yakima rack. The tool they included doesn't really work with installing it on our hitch though, but a socket wrench works better anyway.

My only real complaint about it is that the second bike tray blocks my plate 100% perfectly, when its up. With the amount of bike racked cars here, I don't see it really being an issue, but I never like to offer a reason to get pulled over.
 
I ended up getting a Yakima Holdup 2.

Was very close to pulling the trigger on the 1up, but I ended up getting a significant discount (289$+tax) on the Yakima rack. Really couldn't justify a literal 2x cost for the 1up. And, used Yakimas are going for 3-350 same day in my area, so I know I can easily dump it for cost if necessary.

So far so good with the Yakima rack. The tool they included doesn't really work with installing it on our hitch though, but a socket wrench works better anyway.

My only real complaint about it is that the second bike tray blocks my plate 100% perfectly, when its up. With the amount of bike racked cars here, I don't see it really being an issue, but I never like to offer a reason to get pulled over.

I picked up a Yakima HoldUp 2 as well. It's been a nice rack so far. I've been on some logging roads and back roads with lots of washboard areas and the rack doesn't seem to budge and it holds the bike securely. I've also purchased the Plus 2 so I can carry 4 bikes when necessary. I'll mainly use it for trips so it's currently not installed.

My only complaint so far is the ratcheting noise the arm makes when putting it up and down in the storage position. Just wish it was silent.
 
Going with a Yakima Holdup 2" 2 bike for my 4th Gen. I have 4 trays up top (2 steelheads, and 2 Highroller), but it's nearly impossible for my wife to get her bike + the kids 20" and 24" up there by herself. Looking at all the options the Holdup is where I landed. It's also 20% off just about everywhere right now which puts a new rack in the same price point as the used that are selling in hours in Colo. I've never been let down by a Yak Rack of any type.

Kuat NV 1st choice
Yakima Holdup 2nd choice
1 Up 3rd choice
Thule 4th.
 
Went off-roading last weekend in my 2016 SR5P and my buddies 2010 SR5... During the excursion, we both alternated on who was carrying 2 bikes on their rack.

My 1up didn't hardly flinch at all, even during technical terrain - whereas his rack bounced back and forth with each bump and dip. 1up is so solid.


Left, my 1up and R is my buddies Thule
a6a9420202e01120003d9fbf5feec4a8.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk



Do the 1up hitch racks pivot away from the tailgate when a bike it on it?
 
My only complaint so far is the ratcheting noise the arm makes when putting it up and down in the storage position. Just wish it was silent.

The day I planned on putting mine together, I was wicked hungover and had torn my TFCC in my wrist playing hockey the night before. Getting the thing out was enough of a hassle one handed, but as soon I lifted the first arm, I called it quits for that day. That noise is so grating to my ears it's unreal.
 
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Do the 1up hitch racks pivot away from the tailgate when a bike it on it?

I don't have a 1up so I can't speak to clearance on a 4Runner, but the videos on their website show it swinging down about 45 degrees for liftgate or tailgate clearance. I can tell you for sure that the liftgate on a 4Runner will clear road bike handlebars on a Thule T2 rack when swung down in a similar manner, but not by much.
 

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