shrub1
Member
Ditto.
Hitch mounted bike rack...
- Thread starter Jin
- Start date
Ditto.
Another +1 for the 1UP racks, and +2 for the RakAttach swing-arm (http://rakattach.com/ - also sold directly through 1UP). This is my setup for long trips where I'm hauling myself plus one or two other bikes and gear. A 4th bike is an option for the rack, though that's getting a little out of my comfort zone for practicality, stability and effective vehicle length. This is the heavy duty 2-bike base rack, plus a single heavy duty add-on. The Super Duty rack is the same as this, but has an extra reinforcing piece that goes between the trays to allow carrying heavier bikes >50lbs.
The whole setup feels really solid on the road. The RakAttach has a locking pin as well as a compression clamp and plastic bushings, so there is no rattle or shake. It only takes 15 seconds to unpin it, unclamp it, and swing it out. A bit longer if you have the bikes cable locked to the safety loops on the receiver of the truck and you don't have enough slack in the cable. FYI this is a size LARGE RakAttach. They come in 3 sizes, which essentially determines how far away the bikes will swing from the vehicle.
I have some ideas about fabricating something that attaches to the swing-out. Maybe holding a small 5lb propane bottle and providing a small fold down surface for setting up a camp stove and cooking when I do destination rides with camping involved.
For my everyday rides where it's just me and my gear, I favor my solution that I built into my custom drawer system. Keeps the bike more protected and it's a bit more stealthy.
Totally unrelated...is you rooftop box mounted to your factory rack? If so, can you give me info on the box? Thanks!
TangentAudio
New member
Yes, it's a Thule Force L (Large) - aka Thule 628 ( https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/cargo-carrier/car-top-carrier/thule-force-l-_-1688652 ). It's mounted to factory rack and rails. You do need to move the rails slightly so the box will clear the rear hatch when it's open, but that's easy enough.
I've read that people have been able to get larger boxes to fit, you might want to check some recent threads on here.
KEWW Pro
Member
For my bikes I have a Kuat NV 2.0 with a two place extension, 4 total. It is super secure and so nice to have a bike mounted in about 10 seconds. The integrated security cables are an awesome and easy "feel good" comfort... but I still bring the Tri bikes into the hotel on destination race weekends.
The Kuat has a release that allows the mounting platform to drop down and out of the way which allows the hatch to be opened, even with Hybrid and Mountain Bike handlebars, but I installed the Wilco Hitchswing earlier this year for full clearance to the rear of the truck
The Kuat has a release that allows the mounting platform to drop down and out of the way which allows the hatch to be opened, even with Hybrid and Mountain Bike handlebars, but I installed the Wilco Hitchswing earlier this year for full clearance to the rear of the truck
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DreamsOfDirt
New member
Let us know how you like it. I am planning to get one of those as a "starter." I have two kids bikes with training wheels. As they get older and we all bike together more I'll upgrade. If doesn't work out for some reason, it's only $66.
TRUSTYAXE
New member
Is that the large passenger side option? I just want to confirm before ordering. Do you think a medium would have worked?
Road Bull
Senior Member
Not a 5th gen but this thread seems to have a lot of good hitch mounted bike rack info that is useful no matter the year. Still trying to come up with a workable security solution.
Situation:
Vehicle: 2002 Toyota 4Runner (lifted ~3", modded, armor).
Hitch: 2" 4X Innovations swing-out bumper with tire carrier loaded with a 315/75/16" (35") spare.
Bike rack: 1UP 2" Super Duty Single +1 Add On.
Problem: What will it take for the bike to mount and clear the spare tire?
also: Do I need to order the bike carrier with "Reversed Side Plates" (this lowers the orientation of the rack downward rather than standard / upward).
TLDR: With about an 8" hitch extension, the standard configuration will clear my mounted bike by about 2".
Oh! You have time to kill? Say no more!
Further revelations: I wanted the standard configuration as long as it would work for my current vehicle. I wanted to avoid having to give up clearance on my current set up by having to order the reversed sided plates. This loss of clearance would be a greater annoyance with a non-lifted vehicle.
Security? I can't say that I have a warm fuzzy feeling about security. First the 1UP rack security with my situation is not ideal. For one, it looks like it might just be on older, perhaps, the 1UP 1.25" version, but there is no hole for running a lock "in front" of the security anti-wobble allen key. Maybe it's a trade off between the two designs between the 1.25" and the 2" versions.
The 2" version has a long skinny channel to pass a hitch pin lock through. BUT the best you can do is use the teensy-weensy 1UP or like thin shaft lock. A standard hitch pin lock will not fit. Booooo. LOL. I think they could have opened up the channel a bit to allow for a standard / larger hitch pin lock to be used, but... they didn't. I am using their hitch pin lock and even when it is all the way tight, it still has some room between it, and the hitch.
Also, with an extension, the rack body is too far from the hitch chain mounts to think about using a U / D lock like so many seem to do. That's what I get for driving a YEE YEE 4X4. Hahaha.
Possible security solutions: At first I was going to just go with the 1UP wheel locks, but... I thought I might try to find something that could work both on the rack, and out in the world. I still might go with the 1UP wheel locks. I mean, when it comes down to it, you could put the best lock in the world on the rack to secure the bike, and in under a minute, someone with a portable angle grinder could cut it, or the rack to get access to you bike. My research has enlightened me to the fact that ALL bike locks (foldable, chain, and U /D lock) can all be defeated in about a minute.
I am leaning towards an Abus ABUS | An error has occurred This is one of the few that has the length to connect the main frame with the bike rack, and not much else. There is also an Abus ABUS | An error has occurred that caught my eye. At some point, if someone is bringing an angle grinder to the table, it wont matter if you went with $120 or over $200 lock, they will all be defeated.
Situation:
Vehicle: 2002 Toyota 4Runner (lifted ~3", modded, armor).
Hitch: 2" 4X Innovations swing-out bumper with tire carrier loaded with a 315/75/16" (35") spare.
Bike rack: 1UP 2" Super Duty Single +1 Add On.
Problem: What will it take for the bike to mount and clear the spare tire?
also: Do I need to order the bike carrier with "Reversed Side Plates" (this lowers the orientation of the rack downward rather than standard / upward).
TLDR: With about an 8" hitch extension, the standard configuration will clear my mounted bike by about 2".
Oh! You have time to kill? Say no more!
Further revelations: I wanted the standard configuration as long as it would work for my current vehicle. I wanted to avoid having to give up clearance on my current set up by having to order the reversed sided plates. This loss of clearance would be a greater annoyance with a non-lifted vehicle.
Security? I can't say that I have a warm fuzzy feeling about security. First the 1UP rack security with my situation is not ideal. For one, it looks like it might just be on older, perhaps, the 1UP 1.25" version, but there is no hole for running a lock "in front" of the security anti-wobble allen key. Maybe it's a trade off between the two designs between the 1.25" and the 2" versions.
The 2" version has a long skinny channel to pass a hitch pin lock through. BUT the best you can do is use the teensy-weensy 1UP or like thin shaft lock. A standard hitch pin lock will not fit. Booooo. LOL. I think they could have opened up the channel a bit to allow for a standard / larger hitch pin lock to be used, but... they didn't. I am using their hitch pin lock and even when it is all the way tight, it still has some room between it, and the hitch.
Also, with an extension, the rack body is too far from the hitch chain mounts to think about using a U / D lock like so many seem to do. That's what I get for driving a YEE YEE 4X4. Hahaha.
Possible security solutions: At first I was going to just go with the 1UP wheel locks, but... I thought I might try to find something that could work both on the rack, and out in the world. I still might go with the 1UP wheel locks. I mean, when it comes down to it, you could put the best lock in the world on the rack to secure the bike, and in under a minute, someone with a portable angle grinder could cut it, or the rack to get access to you bike. My research has enlightened me to the fact that ALL bike locks (foldable, chain, and U /D lock) can all be defeated in about a minute.
I am leaning towards an Abus ABUS | An error has occurred This is one of the few that has the length to connect the main frame with the bike rack, and not much else. There is also an Abus ABUS | An error has occurred that caught my eye. At some point, if someone is bringing an angle grinder to the table, it wont matter if you went with $120 or over $200 lock, they will all be defeated.
Attachments
SnowYeti
Member
Just opened the box for my single Equip D 1Up. Wow!!
I have been a product designer for 30 years (ID/ME) and while this is at a premium price point it has incredible value. The design, engineering, quality, materials, finishes, hardware, all are top notch. Clearly no corners where cut in delivering the best product.
The only con I can see is the hitch lock. They had to use a smaller one for clearance but a standard hitch lock would be harder to cut. The 2” is a solid piece of Alum. Likely 6061. There is a thru-hole, for weight reduction I presume. If you leave it on most of the time (they say to remove it once in awhile to clean) you could tap that hole on the end and make a simple plate that clamps it from the spare tire location. The thief would likely have no clue why it would not pull out. And if they did the spare would have to be lowered to access the bolt. Just an idea for high risk areas.
Heck I even worked for Thule for a period. Started racing BMX at 11, raced road starting at 15, then mountain at 20. I have had a lot of racks. And a few stolen.
Can’t wait to use it!
Update:
Installed it, without a hitch. Haha
So this new version has a blue handle to pull to change angles and a red locking pin. Fast and easy to remove and add another bike or two, but super easy to remove. Trying to aid in day to day ease of use since with a ladder I do need to angle it out one notch to open my hatch. Trying to avoid “ooooo....shiny, pretty...mine mine mine” so I added a 8mm bolt to the open position to retain the handle and avoid the easy theft. Lock pin still fits when loaded up.
I have been a product designer for 30 years (ID/ME) and while this is at a premium price point it has incredible value. The design, engineering, quality, materials, finishes, hardware, all are top notch. Clearly no corners where cut in delivering the best product.
The only con I can see is the hitch lock. They had to use a smaller one for clearance but a standard hitch lock would be harder to cut. The 2” is a solid piece of Alum. Likely 6061. There is a thru-hole, for weight reduction I presume. If you leave it on most of the time (they say to remove it once in awhile to clean) you could tap that hole on the end and make a simple plate that clamps it from the spare tire location. The thief would likely have no clue why it would not pull out. And if they did the spare would have to be lowered to access the bolt. Just an idea for high risk areas.
Heck I even worked for Thule for a period. Started racing BMX at 11, raced road starting at 15, then mountain at 20. I have had a lot of racks. And a few stolen.
Can’t wait to use it!
Update:
Installed it, without a hitch. Haha
So this new version has a blue handle to pull to change angles and a red locking pin. Fast and easy to remove and add another bike or two, but super easy to remove. Trying to aid in day to day ease of use since with a ladder I do need to angle it out one notch to open my hatch. Trying to avoid “ooooo....shiny, pretty...mine mine mine” so I added a 8mm bolt to the open position to retain the handle and avoid the easy theft. Lock pin still fits when loaded up.
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My first foray into 1Up was a single tray to mount on the back of my FR-S. Then I saw they sold the hitch portion separate so I could convert it to a single. After loving that (and the unimpeded hatch access), I decided to get 2 add-ons to allow me to carry up to 3 when I have the wife and kid with me. The modular design is super nice.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
GripT4R
Banned
The swing out is awesome! What size is it? Have any pics when closed?
My Equip D should be shipping to me any day now. I may need to order the swing out.
TRUSTYAXE
New member
No pics of it closed, I'll get some, but its the RakAttach from 1up in large passenger side swing out configuration. It's overbuilt just like their racks, very solid.
808_702_4Runner
New member
Hitch Rack..
I am a big fan of Recon Racks... holds a 5 (versions for 4-6 bikes) and built as burly as can be.. .My kids swing from it, climb it, while 5 bikes are loaded no problem..
Haven't drug the bikes on any terrain yet either.. (the height is adjustable too, if you are worried about such things...
Recon Rack Co
I am a big fan of Recon Racks... holds a 5 (versions for 4-6 bikes) and built as burly as can be.. .My kids swing from it, climb it, while 5 bikes are loaded no problem..
Haven't drug the bikes on any terrain yet either.. (the height is adjustable too, if you are worried about such things...
Recon Rack Co
TRUSTYAXE
New member
Closed pic
Attachments
I4CUTigers
Member
+1 for the 1UP. Bought the smaller hitch mount that has the ability to go in the small receiver on my car or the regular receiver on The 4runner. Had it for years and never an issue. Super quick and secure, which is important when you get into high end road bikes.
