Hitch Mounted Bike Racks

tystaco

tystaco

New member
Let me start by saying that I know a fair amount about bike racks, I've owned multiple roof mounted systems and truck bed mounts. Everything from tires on to fork mounted. This post is solely for the purpose of seeing what you guys may or may not be using for hitch mounted bike racks.

Personally, I am drawn to the tray style in which you can leave the front tires on. I have made choices in life to ensure that I live VERY close to mountain bike trails, so generally I only put my bike on a rack for a 5 minute drive if I don't bike to the trailhead and this is why the tray style is preferred. Usually I will only have two bikes, but the beauty of the 4runner over my Tacoma is that I can haul 4 adults easily, so I like the racks that allow add ons up to 4 bikes. A lot of manufacturers make these so I am looking for opinions.

My dog will ride with me, and resides in the back of the 4runner, so I am curious about people's thoughts on how well they can work their rear hatch with their hitch mounted system.

Do you see a lot of rear end sag with the added weight? I am about to put in OME 906's and hope that they are right for a couple of bikes, the rack, and a 60lb dog. It isn't critical, but I'd hate to have new springs and be super saggy in the rear. It is for this reason that I also am curious if anyone has the more expensive lighter version of tray racks, usually aluminum, and their thoughts on those. My buddy has a $300 Thule tray style that he just got, and damn is that thing heavy. Not a big deal on the car, but depending on rear hatch functionality, pulling it on and off needs to not result in a tweaked back.
 
Register to hide this ad
I use a KuatNV. No noticeable sag on stock suspension with two bikes. Folds down easily to open the hatch. Great rack and includes a clamp for trail side repairs and comes with locks for the hitch pin as well as bikes. You can add another two trays and still have the repair stand feature. Their customer service has been great as well. A little on the expensive side but has been well worth it and I see no signs of wear after three years of use, unlike some of the Yakima products I have used in the past.

Products | Küat Racks
 
Have you heard of north shore bike racks?

They're in Vancouver and make a hitch mounted, vertical carry, rack.

In the mountains where I live it seems every suv and a lot of trucks rock this rack, almost never see another hitch mounted rack around town. Im looking at grabbing one once ski season is over. Very reasonably priced and reviews are awesome. Basically the same price as a thule 2 bike hitch mount but it can carry 4 bikes, downside is only works on mountain bikes but from what you said in your post that probably won't be a problem.

North Shore Racks

here is a link to their customer photos of a 3rdg get with the racked loaded doing some light wheeling to give you an idea of the style and fit. it has a pivot hinge the bottom so the rack can fold down and back bit to allow the hatch to open as well.

http://www.northshoreracks.com/photo customers/photo customer50.html
 
Last edited:
I have a Thule T2 Classic with 4 bike add on. I don't notice much sag with 4 trail bikes on with 906 springs.
 
I would recommend the Thule T2 Pro, the convenience of the grab handle to lift and lower the rack make it by far the best option in my opinion. Its heavy and expensive but its a fantastic rack!
I work for REI and get to play with these (Yakima, Kuat, Thule) on a regular basis and it is favorite of the three. BTW REI occasionally has 20% off sales on Thule equipment
 
I bought a Yakima rack about 6 years ago. Its the older version of this: https://www.yakima.com/twotimer.
It has held up well. No sag with vehicle loaded up with two bikes and gear for road trips to Big Bend etc.
Down side of hitch racks is accessing the back of the vehicle, only a minor inconvenience due our wonderful power back window, but it has been annoying at times.
Hope this helps!
 
ridefast said:
Buy once cry once!

1UPUSA.com :: All Products

.
Click to expand...

I had never seen these until now, the first link provided by Habanero shows a lot of guys using these and loving them. They look BEEFY, but still under 50lbs of rack weight. I was bummed until I saw they do make a spacer to accommodate snow bikes....this might very well be what I end up with. I expect to pay for quality, and have always used Thule and Yakima in the past with pleasant results. If I can buy one rack and have it for the next 20 years, that is a pretty low cost.
 
I currently have a Thule T2. I have been drooling over the 1up and North Shore Racks for years though. My challenge is making it compatible with 1 1/4" hitches on the cars and the 2" on the 4Runner.

-Charlie
 
I use the Yakima Hold Up and don't have sag issues. https://www.yakima.com/holdup

It "doesn't" do a fat bike. And I put it in quotes, because I deflated the front wheel and it fit. with a strap around the rear wheel.

The Thule T2 has an adapter kit for it so it'll take fat bikes.
 
tystaco said:
I had never seen these until now, the first link provided by Habanero shows a lot of guys using these and loving them. They look BEEFY, but still under 50lbs of rack weight. I was bummed until I saw they do make a spacer to accommodate snow bikes....this might very well be what I end up with. I expect to pay for quality, and have always used Thule and Yakima in the past with pleasant results. If I can buy one rack and have it for the next 20 years, that is a pretty low cost.
Click to expand...

Yes they are awesome!!! Ive had racks from Thule, yakima and kuat over the past 15 years and they are all too bulky to store when not in use heavy for my wife and stick out way too far and block the hatch when not in use. Ill get you some detailed pics on my set up tomorrow! I have the single tray but had up to 3 addons that my friends let me borrow for a trip.

These racks are not cheap by any means but its definitely the last rack you will ever own!!! No plastic, no steel to rust like the brands I listed above and its fully adjustable to several wheel sizes and if i were to guess it weighs like 12 pounds whereas my kuat was way heavier!

Plus its got a lifetime warranty that includes theft.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_4265.jpg
    IMG_4265.jpg
    133.8 KB · Views: 266
Last edited:
I'm wishing I had gone with the single now. Any issues running three add-on trays? I went with the double because 1Up says to only use two add-ons and I need to be able to haul up to four bikes. Single would be much nicer for the normal day-to-day need of getting my bike around.
 
Liquidmantis said:
I'm wishing I had gone with the single now. Any issues running three add-on trays? I went with the double because 1Up says to only use two add-ons and I need to be able to haul up to four bikes. Single would be much nicer for the normal day-to-day need of getting my bike around.
Click to expand...

I went with the single because they explained to me that the single is beefed up and able to handle up to 4 trays. The double has less reinforcement from what i remember.

Weird, I know. I had absolutely no issues with the addons! I agree the single is much nicer for normal day to day!

As you can see my spare needs to be adjusted so the rack goes in another 1.5" i just haven't been motivate to take carseats out to get the tools to shift the spare! Once i do it will be closer.

ill put the rack on my wife's gen 5 once it gets back from the tint shop just incase anyone is curious.
 
Last edited:
I'm on my second 4 bike Thule. I dont bike much any more but my first Thule got tons of abuse from 1999 to 2006. Folded down to open the hatch, 4 dudes every weekend & I left it outdoors all year round because I was in a small apartment with no shed or garage.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 787 (members: 0, guests: 787)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,083
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top