What kind of bike rack?

[Off-choader]

I prefer not to have my bike covered in bug guts so I use a hitch rack. For those worried about getting rear-ended; I would much rather have someone destroy my bike then the rear or my vehicle.

I still prefer the hitch mount but, bikes can get way up there especially if you have 2 high end bikes on a hitch. Im not sure but I don't think that insurance would cover the bikes whereas the rear bumper and hatch would be covered. I don't think the risks are any less if you count the times people have driven into a garage with roof bikes. Each has its risks but the 4runner is too damn high to be putting bikes on all the time

 

[BlackCloud]

I still prefer the hitch mount but, bikes can get way up there especially if you have 2 high end bikes on a hitch. Im not sure but I don't think that insurance would cover the bikes whereas the rear bumper and hatch would be covered. I don't think the risks are any less if you count the times people have driven into a garage with roof bikes. Each has its risks but the 4runner is too damn high to be putting bikes on all the time

I never considered whether my insurance would cover the bike on the back. If not, I'm sure my homeowner's would. But then again, if I get rear-ended doesn't the other guy's insurance pay up?

And yes, with so many illegals and other uninsured on the roads.....

 

[T4RLandYacht]

If your bike is not covered under your car insurance, you can always take out a personal article policy on it for dirt cheap. It costs me $35/year to cover my YT with $2500 worth of coverage.

 

[Off-choader]

If your bike is not covered under your car insurance, you can always take out a personal article policy on it for dirt cheap. It costs me $35/year to cover my YT with $2500 worth of coverage.

I think black cloud is right and technically it should be covered by some type of insurance one would already own, BUT 35 is a great deal and the minimum I could find when i was looking awhile back for something else was like 75$. Does this insurance cover you if you run that carbon frame into a tree or curb etc..

 

[T4RLandYacht]

I think black cloud is right and technically it should be covered by some type of insurance one would already own, BUT 35 is a great deal and the minimum I could find when i was looking awhile back for something else was like 75$. Does this insurance cover you if you run that carbon frame into a tree or curb etc..

It can be, yes, that's also under warranty though. My personal article covers lost/stolen in situations that it wouldn't be covered under homeowners/renters/auto. Like if somebody stole it at a trailhead or it fell of a bike rack going down the road, somehow lost it (idk how that would happen), etc.. Or what works out for me is if someone stole it from my house or off my bike rack, someone rear-ended my bike rack, etc the deductible is much lower for my personal than the renters/auto/homeowners ($100 in my case) that it works out.

 

[uconnapharm]

I much prefer a hitch rack for the following reasons :
* I effortlessly get into a public parking garage in a big city or at an airport
* No need to bring along a milk crate , or small folding steps
* When vehicle is parked during snow , rain or hail storm , it’s easy to throw a tarp over the bike on the hitch
As far as brands , I have owned THULE , YAKIMA and ONE UP USA .
I find ONE UP USA to be the all-around BEST for me.

 

[btchristoph]

I'm part of the "other" crowd which uses the straps/hooks over the rear hatch (really intended to go on the trunks of sedans), but it's a great compromise on being able to open the rear hatch without sacrificing MPG.

 

[Balto Charlie]

Currently have Thule hitch that drops down. It is too heavy/difficult to lift the rack back up when full of bikes. I am thinking of replacing with roof rack or swing away rack. My bikes are mnt and road (touring re:heavy). After reading through this post I am leaning towards swing away.
Those with swing away hitch rack: can the rear door open on a '17 4Runner?

We do a lot of camping and access to back is key.

 

[joeadamo7]

Thule Apex Swing 4... our local EMS was going out of business and we were able to pick up a floor model of this hitch rack... the "swing" is an awesome feature and works great with the T4R hitch

 

[samsquantch]

Hitch is way better if you can keep a decent departure angle.

 

[Jimmyasheville]

Has anyone seen or tried to fork mount to a gobi ladder?
Similar to this?
View attachment 282071

At first i was skeptical but he has loved it.

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Looks cool, but bikes with hydraulic disc brakes need to stay upright.

 

[jicko]

Hitch rack. I had mine since a few years after I bought my 3rd gen (1997) new, probably around 2000. And now, my 5th gen still uses it. It tilt down if I need to open my back. There are swing away these days.

Roof top tent goes on top, also even if the RTT is off. The 4Runner is lifted. Putting bikes up top is a HUGE chores.

Hitch rack all the way.

 

[jicko]

Currently have Thule hitch that drops down. It is too heavy/difficult to lift the rack back up when full of bikes. I am thinking of replacing with roof rack or swing away rack. My bikes are mnt and road (touring re:heavy). After reading through this post I am leaning towards swing away.
Those with swing away hitch rack: can the rear door open on a '17 4Runner?

We do a lot of camping and access to back is key.

Yakima Fullswing is a GOOD one.
Check out this Video

 

[DavidR1]

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Looks cool, but bikes with hydraulic disc brakes need to stay upright.

This is a bit of a myth. I've stored my bikes vertically for many years with no issues to the brakes.

 

[kcdehart]

Picked up a Yakima 4-bike hitch rack for $40 the other week. I'm sold on em. It swings down for hatch access or I can just jump in the window when it's got bike on it.

This is a bit of a myth. I've stored my bikes vertically for many years with no issues to the brakes.

Just got my first hydraulic disk bike this week and read something about this. Shouldn't there be no air in the system in the first place for it to work properly?

 

[Endlessblockades]

1-UP USA Hitch

Took it out for a maiden voyage of 600 miles over the weekend. Rock solid!

 

[Dizzerin]

Great info, thanks for this thread!

 

[trey99ek]

If it going to be a hitch rack may as well get the best. I vote 1up.

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

 

[emelia54]

Thule Apex XT 5-Bike Rack is the best family-friendly bike rack.

 

[Bardown]

Hitch. Yakima Ridgeback. Holds 4 bikes, easy to set up and take down.