Hitch-mounted bicycle rack
- Thread starter yaktamer
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I’ve owned two or three and as long as they’re hitch mounted and keep the bikes away from rubbing your vehicle, they all seem to work fine. I don’t see the need to spend a bundle of money on the top of the line one. I currently have a bike carrier that’s padded and hangs over the tailgate on my pick up truck the front wheel of the bikes sticks out and lays against the padding on the tailgate and it gives you a lot of room to haul other gear in the bed. I like it really well and they are a lot cheaper than the hitch mounted carriers.
One Up USA. Look no further, especially considering the weight of e-bikes. Fantastic product, made in America.
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If you're putting it on an RV be sure you get an RV rated rack.
I've used this one for a couple of years now. Available at Amazon.
MaxxHaul 50025 Hitch Mount 2 Bike Rack For Cars, Trucks, SUV's, Minivans - 100 lb. Capacity
MaxxHaul 50025 Hitch Mount 2 Bike Rack For Cars, Trucks, SUV's, Minivans - 100 lb. Capacity
I bought a used Yakima off Craig’s list for $50 and hauled my bikes to and from Florida. I used a locking hitch pin and ran a bike cable lock through the bikes and into the safety chain loop on the hitch. (Sorry for pic orientation).
Some tips for long hauls - watch for bike holders rubbing bike frames and pad accordingly - paint got damaged or rubbed off in spots on bikes. Remove seats or bag them with sturdy bags. Ensure security if stopping overnight.
Some tips for long hauls - watch for bike holders rubbing bike frames and pad accordingly - paint got damaged or rubbed off in spots on bikes. Remove seats or bag them with sturdy bags. Ensure security if stopping overnight.
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10mmauto
Member
1up USA - they are a little pricey, but great selection, and for the weight you are looking to carry in e-bikes, they have just what you want.
Heavy Duty - 1UP USA
Heavy Duty - 1UP USA
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Jon651
Member
Aside from which brand to use, I suggest ensuring the entire carrier doesn't wiggle around in the hitch receiver. Enough bounce or other movement can contribute to damaging your bikes or even breaking a weld on the bike rack. "They" make a bracket that bolts on to your receiver that puts tension on the bike rack to prevent any movement. Any local bicycle shop should know what one is, or a search for "Anti-rattle hitch clamp" should give you plenty of choices.
Here's the one from HF ($12):
https://www.harborfreight.com/anti-rattle-hitch-tightener-58134.html
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I recommend a 4 bike carrier. When on vacation you have two bikes, if you take friends or family more bikes. I've seen lots of lawn chairs on bike racks heading to the beach.
Mine is a Thule I got used for $50 about 6 years ago, I've had 4 adult bikes on it. You have to get creative with girl's bikes. You alternate the direction to fit 4 on, sometimes I've had to put some on upside-down to get them all to fit. I have one extension bar that lets a girl's bike hang like a boy's, expensive and I don't see them being theft resistant!
An 80-year-old friend would take his adult tricycle to Florida on a trailer hitch platform, and 3-wheel recumbents need a truck bed of small trailer!
All a lot of money, but cheaper than renting (or buying) bikes when you get there. (I do have friends with identical bikes at the winter and summer homes.)
Ivan
ETA: I use two adjustable straps to stabilize the carrier, because of the long protrusion from the back of the CR-V. I run them from the rear wheel well to the opposite side of the rack's top bar. This has made the whole affair very stable for multiple 500+ mile journeys!
Mine is a Thule I got used for $50 about 6 years ago, I've had 4 adult bikes on it. You have to get creative with girl's bikes. You alternate the direction to fit 4 on, sometimes I've had to put some on upside-down to get them all to fit. I have one extension bar that lets a girl's bike hang like a boy's, expensive and I don't see them being theft resistant!
An 80-year-old friend would take his adult tricycle to Florida on a trailer hitch platform, and 3-wheel recumbents need a truck bed of small trailer!
All a lot of money, but cheaper than renting (or buying) bikes when you get there. (I do have friends with identical bikes at the winter and summer homes.)
Ivan
ETA: I use two adjustable straps to stabilize the carrier, because of the long protrusion from the back of the CR-V. I run them from the rear wheel well to the opposite side of the rack's top bar. This has made the whole affair very stable for multiple 500+ mile journeys!
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I’m on my second one (first one was destroyed when my van was rear ended!) and I couldn’t be more satisfied. Holds road bike, mountain bikes and fat bikes. Strong and sturdy. You get what you pay for. Thule T2 Pro XTR | Thule | United States
Y'all just please make sure the bikes are secured to the racks. After dodging bicycles that fell off someones rack on I-95 while on my Harley, they make me a spot paranoid.
Yakima or Thule are well regarded, we've had a couple of the 2" receiver mounted racks and like them.
Some idiot valet (I pointed out the rack when I gave him the vehicle) bent up my first one.
I also ride dirtbikes and have a Moto-Tote that I use. Basically a large tray with tiedowns that gets hitch mounted. Moto is secure but moves slightly. When I'm driving with a bike on it folks will not follow me. Guess it freaks them out
Some idiot valet (I pointed out the rack when I gave him the vehicle) bent up my first one.
I also ride dirtbikes and have a Moto-Tote that I use. Basically a large tray with tiedowns that gets hitch mounted. Moto is secure but moves slightly. When I'm driving with a bike on it folks will not follow me. Guess it freaks them out
Rodan
Member
Went through the process a couple of years ago and ended up with a Kuat Transfer V2. The 2" hitch/ 2 bike version is rated 60lbs per bike, and is RV rated. I like the Kuat because the bikes are supported at both tires, and they're not flopping around from a frame mount.
The 1Up racks are really nice, but pricey. I probably would have sprung for one, but they were out of stock when I needed one.
The 1Up racks are really nice, but pricey. I probably would have sprung for one, but they were out of stock when I needed one.
LVSteve
Member
Beats me how everyone with a bike rack like that doesn't get pulled all the time for an obscured plate.
Jeff423
US Veteran
I got a Yakima specifically made for E bikes from REI CO-OP for our two ebikes.
Here’s a shot of my fat bike on the rack. Strong, secure and versatile. I love how easy it is to use.
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Been using hitch mounted MTB and moto racks for over a decade.
Never had an issue (knock on wood) I'm on leisure time with those racks onboard so I drive mellow.
Not to hijack this thread anymore, but having been a hi-intensity patrol cop for a portion of my career, I was always “grateful” when motorists gave me a reason to stop them (read that as an articulable violation of the VTL.) But a safe, reasonable, otherwise legal driver/vehicle was never on my radar and generally isn’t in most officers sights…
Puller
Member
I supposed if a cop was bored he could use it for probable cause.
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