dclark2171
Member
There are many options/brands out there. Just wondering what other 4runner drivers are using and their opinion
What trailer hitch Bike Rack are you using
- Thread starter dclark2171
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ATTAFOCUS
New member
I had a Dakine Tailgate Pad on my tacoma DCLB TRD Sport that worked good.
Once I sold that Ive been using
North Shore Racks
North Shore Bike Racks
Amazingly quick to load in and out and a well built rack.
Thor-NorCal
New member
I use a Yakima Fullswing. No vibration. No shaking. No rattling. Easy on, easy off. Built-in self-retracting bike chain and hitch mount security key disengages the tightening knob so that no one can loosen your hitch from your receiver and walk away with it. $350-$400 new.
1engineer
Moderator
Bike racks are just like tires... and colors... and food.... and shoes. There are a bunch of brands and types out there and everyone likes something a bit different when it comes to bike racks.
We all bought a 4Runner. There are not many choices for a BOF 4WD off road and on road vehicle. Maybe three. We all pretty much stopped being the same after buying the vehicle lol. Read the link posted above and enjoy the bike! I do!
We all bought a 4Runner. There are not many choices for a BOF 4WD off road and on road vehicle. Maybe three. We all pretty much stopped being the same after buying the vehicle lol. Read the link posted above and enjoy the bike! I do!
wfo9
New member
Kuat for the rack. Other brands will also work just fine.
One nice thing about the 5th gen is you can get bikes inside with front wheel off and drivers side rear seat down. With the cost of decent mountain bikes... its nice to be able to secure it inside.
We had a problem here where people with high end bikes (yes, many mountain bikes are worth over 10k, with the avg being ~3) were being followed. Having it on the rack is an ideal advertisement for criminals. The bikes were either stolen when the vehicle stopped somewhere and was left unattended or their home address was captured and the criminals would come back later. For whatever reason.. it was just mountain bikes..
One nice thing about the 5th gen is you can get bikes inside with front wheel off and drivers side rear seat down. With the cost of decent mountain bikes... its nice to be able to secure it inside.
We had a problem here where people with high end bikes (yes, many mountain bikes are worth over 10k, with the avg being ~3) were being followed. Having it on the rack is an ideal advertisement for criminals. The bikes were either stolen when the vehicle stopped somewhere and was left unattended or their home address was captured and the criminals would come back later. For whatever reason.. it was just mountain bikes..
Magnetic4R
New member
I like the 1up rack.
I wish I was able to secure my Enduro upright inside but my 3rd row seat and 170mm travel prevents me from doing so. =/
I wish I was able to secure my Enduro upright inside but my 3rd row seat and 170mm travel prevents me from doing so. =/
Kryptocarcus
New member
The Kuat by far...
The Kuat is by far the best bike rack I have used. It is pricey but built tough. The bike sits on the tires, not suspended so there is no swinging of the bike. This also allows the use of any mountain bike where the the suspension sometimes prevents you from using a hanging rack correctly. It swings down (fully loaded) to open the rear door and folds up when no bikes are on it. It has an integrated bike stand if you need to do some quick trail side maintenance. It has an integrated bike lock the hides inside the frame when not in use. And it is powdered coated steel and anodized aluminum, and come with extra keys and a matching bottle opener.. -Well played Kuat.
Products | Küat Racks
The Kuat is by far the best bike rack I have used. It is pricey but built tough. The bike sits on the tires, not suspended so there is no swinging of the bike. This also allows the use of any mountain bike where the the suspension sometimes prevents you from using a hanging rack correctly. It swings down (fully loaded) to open the rear door and folds up when no bikes are on it. It has an integrated bike stand if you need to do some quick trail side maintenance. It has an integrated bike lock the hides inside the frame when not in use. And it is powdered coated steel and anodized aluminum, and come with extra keys and a matching bottle opener.. -Well played Kuat.
Products | Küat Racks
ouscubagrad
New member
I have the Yakima Doubledown 4 that I found like new on craigslist for $40...It is fulfills my needs. The bike holder part folds down when not in use and you can also tilt the rack itself down so that you can open the lift gate without taking off the rack.
DoubleDown 4 | Yakima
DoubleDown 4 | Yakima
wfo9
New member
Must be the third row. I can easily get just about any bike in there quickly. I often have a 160mm Enduro 29er in size Large back there. It just needs to lean to the side... I drop the seat post, then stick the rear wheel in first and lean it towards the passenger side as I push it back. I only lay down the drivers rear seat section. The passenger side section acts as a wedge between the frame and tire as I lean it over. Works fantastic (almost like it was made for it). The seat gets a little dirty.. But I sometimes put a towel there...
When taking multiple bikes... I use a rack.
Schwizzle_
New member
I road and mountain bike a lot and I and would recommend you check out Hollywood racks. I have the 4 bike hitch mount and it is great.
Has the 2 bike mount and the extension for 4, the mount is solid and much more durable than the kuats and thules(but a bit more weight) and it's about 1/2 the cost of those other brands. Also includes the locking hitch, cable lock, and the no sway crank on the hitch.
You can get the 4 bike rack for ~$440 at their website.
Has the 2 bike mount and the extension for 4, the mount is solid and much more durable than the kuats and thules(but a bit more weight) and it's about 1/2 the cost of those other brands. Also includes the locking hitch, cable lock, and the no sway crank on the hitch.
You can get the 4 bike rack for ~$440 at their website.
The reason I've always preferred the Thule T2 is because it's super solid, the high bolt bolts in to hold tight and has a keyed lock, the arm that pulls down and grabs the tire has a keyed lock to lock it in place, and a cable comes out of the arm and to loop through the frame and has a keyed lock on that.
The security to me is a huge deal as we have a bunch of bikes ranging from $2,000 to around $7,500
The security to me is a huge deal as we have a bunch of bikes ranging from $2,000 to around $7,500
Seatown
New member
I've used the Kuat NV2 on a couple rigs now and love it to death. Lightweight aluminum makes it easier to take on and off. hitch pin has a locking solenoid for security and the anti rattle knob for the receiver is just plain innovative. Only downside is the short built in cable lock, should be at least 6" longer on each side.
Sadly I sold mine, but for more capacity and ended up with the North Shore Rack NS4. Nice to be able to carry more bikes, however it's more of a pain to unfold/fold when not being used as well as to drop out of the way for trunk access. I'm tracking my annual use of carrying more than 2 bikes; if it's less than 10 times, I'm selling it and going back to the Kuat.
If you want two bike capacity go with the Kuat, any more roll with the North shore. Getting the attachments for the kuat, Yakima or Thule just makes the rack look ridiculous...so effing big.
Sadly I sold mine, but for more capacity and ended up with the North Shore Rack NS4. Nice to be able to carry more bikes, however it's more of a pain to unfold/fold when not being used as well as to drop out of the way for trunk access. I'm tracking my annual use of carrying more than 2 bikes; if it's less than 10 times, I'm selling it and going back to the Kuat.
If you want two bike capacity go with the Kuat, any more roll with the North shore. Getting the attachments for the kuat, Yakima or Thule just makes the rack look ridiculous...so effing big.
I've owned 3 Hitch racks recently.
Thule T2
Kuat NV 2 bike (Black/Chrome)
1UPUSA 2 bike Black.
Sold the T2 to buy the Kuat last year. T2 was heavy, ratcheting mechanism had issues (I know 2 people that have had it break completely resulting in fallen bikes while driving). Rumor mill has it they've updated the design.
Sold the Kuat NV to by the 1UPUSA this year. The Kuat barely worked with my 4" Fat tire Salsa (rubbed fork slightly), and wouldn't work with my Dad's 5" Fat 9:Zero:7. As of 2 months ago, Kuat said no plans to support fatter fat bikes. The Kuat locking cable needs to be 1' longer.
The 1UPUSA with the added fat kit works for all of my bikes, road, MTB, CX, and FAT. I have to use my own cable lock for the bikes, and there is no repair stand. To be honest, I only used the Kuat repair stand 1x. It's too close to the vehicle to be of real use. Some say the 1UPUSA looks like an erector set, but it is so simple, it just works. You can offset the bikes anyway you want to get around handlebar/seat conflicts, etc. Not as awkward to carry as the Kuat, and the added benefit of folding.
Not a dealer, etc. Just a guy that rides a couple thousand miles a year and likes his stuff to just work.
Thule T2
Kuat NV 2 bike (Black/Chrome)
1UPUSA 2 bike Black.
Sold the T2 to buy the Kuat last year. T2 was heavy, ratcheting mechanism had issues (I know 2 people that have had it break completely resulting in fallen bikes while driving). Rumor mill has it they've updated the design.
Sold the Kuat NV to by the 1UPUSA this year. The Kuat barely worked with my 4" Fat tire Salsa (rubbed fork slightly), and wouldn't work with my Dad's 5" Fat 9:Zero:7. As of 2 months ago, Kuat said no plans to support fatter fat bikes. The Kuat locking cable needs to be 1' longer.
The 1UPUSA with the added fat kit works for all of my bikes, road, MTB, CX, and FAT. I have to use my own cable lock for the bikes, and there is no repair stand. To be honest, I only used the Kuat repair stand 1x. It's too close to the vehicle to be of real use. Some say the 1UPUSA looks like an erector set, but it is so simple, it just works. You can offset the bikes anyway you want to get around handlebar/seat conflicts, etc. Not as awkward to carry as the Kuat, and the added benefit of folding.
Not a dealer, etc. Just a guy that rides a couple thousand miles a year and likes his stuff to just work.
