Hitch bike rack

William Crawford

I normally carry our bikes inside our Suburban (I have a homemade rack that sits inside with the rear seats removed). However, we are bringing our 4 daughters with us to HIMMT and we need the rear seats for the kids. Does anyone recommend a particular hitch style bike rack?

ezellrh

William, I've had this for about 4 years.  I use a cloth and bungee combo to strap the crank arm to the upright and hold the wheels still.  Perfectly satisfied.

http://www.thule.com/en-us/us/produ...bike-_-958

Joe Matchette

We went through a number of racks, before getting the Thule T2 (http://www.thule.com/en-us/us/products/bike-carriers/hitch/916xtr-t2-_-916xtr). We really like it because it offers full trunk access even when loaded , it is easy to lock the bikes, doesn't touch the frame, and it is expandable to a 4-bike setup.

$395 from amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Thule-916XTR-Platform-Hitch-2-Inch/dp/B004JUGPI8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369822971&sr=8-1&keywords=916xtr

Your LBS might be able to do better....

richmiani

+1 on what Joe said. That Thule model is expensive but it really works well. I routinely put 3 bikes on it, 4 bikes is kinda hard.

Nemo Brauch

I like that Thule model type/style as well because it's easy to fit various size bikes (speaking as someone whose frame rarely fits on one of those "strap it to the frame" type racks). But I'm also curious what you folks are doing to secure the bikes while traveling and the car is parked with the bikes still attached. The roof racks are nice 'cause the front fork locks with a key to the rack- but that makes a Suburban awefully tall!

Brian Bird

I use the Thule T2 and love it -- in regards to securing the bike while traveling -- I use an "On-Guard" U-Lock and Cable - I fish the cable through the front wheel and through the rear wheel/rear bike triangle and the connect the U-lock through the two holes I have in my hitch for locking things down.

Steve West

My search foo is bad today... but a while ago there was another thread on this topic. My take-away from that one was 1Up makes an awesome bike rack. I'm thinking that when I replace my crappy bike 'hanger' it will be with a rack from http://www.1up.com/

Al Truscott

Back when we did multi day tours with our Suburban as a SAG wagon (including one cross country), we used a Draftmaster (atoc.com). Holds 4-5 bikes upright, can mix and match to allow odd bikes like tandems, recumbents, trikes. Very sturdy, very pricey ($6-700 for 4-5 bikes.) Drops down to allow entry to rear without removing bikes.

russG

Hi Bill - did this assessment two years ago and bought this:
http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-Racks/Softride/SR26247.html
My requirements were hitch, four bikes, locking, with swing-away a very-nice-to-have.
Compared the SoftRide to Thule Apex and a Yakima design...
SoftRide won on price, but we've been very happy with it.
We use it daily because my kids and wife can use it (vs. a rooftop carrier).

gamb

1upusa.com. I love mine and worth every penny

Moze

+1 on the 1upUSA rack.  Totally awesome and well built.  

William Crawford

Everyone, thank you for the Recommendations. I will look into all of them.