Hitch Bike Rack thread?

ProudPaPa · Jun 24, 2016

Hello,

Despite my best attempts with the search function, I can't seem to locate a good, recent thread discussing hitch-mounted bike rack options. We're mulling around options from kuat, 1UP, hideaway and the usual suspects (Yakima, Thule.)

If someone could point me to a good thread discussing some pros/cons/reviews, it would be much appreciated!

One additional question- anyone have trouble with hitch-mounted racks being too low to the ground and bottoming-out at times?

Thanks!

woodpecker · Jun 24, 2016

I don't remember such a thread. There were some hitch threads a couple years ago though. Bascially OEM vs non-OEM, the major difference being how it looks and that the OEM is higher off the ground because it comes out through the bumper. You might have better luck on a bike forum

I don't have a rack anymore so I can't say about bottoming-out. I doubt it would be an issue unless you back up somewhere stupid or have a really steep driveway. Most of the racks seem to hold the bikes somewhat higher than the hitch itself. Of course, having the higher hitch on the Odyssey helps too.

Otherwise, if you can, get a rack which holds the bikes by the wheels. They are bulkier but hold the bikes much better and prevent them from rubbing against each other. Ideally get something where the restraints have some kind of mechanical latch better than just a knob which you tighten. I had one of those and they tend to get loose over time unless you put an extreme amount of force into them. It's not so bad in a car where you can see if they're still secure in the rear view mirror but I don't think you'll be able to see in an Odyssey.

Oggie50 · Jun 26, 2016

I'm running the curt hitch which I bought from Amazon. Very easy install. I also posted my install here. I'm also using a Yakima 2 bike rack

ProudPaPa · Jun 27, 2016

Oggie50 said:
I'm running the curt hitch which I bought from Amazon. Very easy install. I also posted my install here. I'm also using a Yakima 2 bike rack

Thanks for the info! I like the look of that hitch, particularly that it curves up a bit for more clearance. Are you able to lock the bikes to the rack, and to lock the rack to the hitch/minivan for security?

ProudPaPa · Jun 27, 2016

woodpecker said:
...
Otherwise, if you can, get a rack which holds the bikes by the wheels. They are bulkier but hold the bikes much better and prevent them from rubbing against each other. Ideally get something where the restraints have some kind of mechanical latch better than just a knob which you tighten. I had one of those and they tend to get loose over time unless you put an extreme amount of force into them. It's not so bad in a car where you can see if they're still secure in the rear view mirror but I don't think you'll be able to see in an Odyssey.

Thanks! We'll definitely go with a "tray" system. Newer mountain bikes don't even have a crossbar anymore, and I don't want to end up with a hitch that could end up as unusable, or at least much more difficult to use, with our next bike purchase.

Oggie50 · Jun 27, 2016

ProudPaPa said:
Thanks! We'll definitely go with a "tray" system. Newer mountain bikes don't even have a crossbar anymore, and I don't want to end up with a hitch that could end up as unusable, or at least much more difficult to use, with our next bike purchase.

I had the Yakima 4 bike Swing Away, although it's a great feature to have when opening/closing the back door when bikes are loaded. I can only fit 2 adult mountain bikes & 1 youth bike. The fact that it doesn't have a tray system to hold our full suspension bikes is why i sold it and went back to a tray system. I buy/sell racks like there's no tomorrow. I prefer Yakima over Thule due to the easy of clamping tires, quality of the metal etc. Both racks come with an anti rattle hitch pin which can be locked. I would also use a Kryptonite U-BOLT lock along with a cable to go thru the frames. I don't intend to go very far from my bikes when loaded. Other bike racks to look at is 1up racks but most guys on youtube prefer the Yakima.

Curt Hitch is only $140 bucks, i like the look of the OEM stock hitch but didn't wanna cut up my bumper and invest too much time and money into it.

mrgtr16 · Jun 27, 2016

i installed the Hitch from UHAUL and use the Allen 4 bike rack

ody11va · Jul 30, 2016

ProudPaPa said:
Thanks! We'll definitely go with a "tray" system. Newer mountain bikes don't even have a crossbar anymore, and I don't want to end up with a hitch that could end up as unusable, or at least much more difficult to use, with our next bike purchase.

I have been using a Thule T2 for about three years with our '11 odyssey and have only good things to say about it. The plastic wheel holder on the closer (lower when folded) platform bumps into the bumper when the rack is folded up but that is easily fixed by cutting some of the plastic. Even without cutting it, the rack will still fold up but will likely scratch the paint on your bumper over time. I'm looking now to buy the 4-bike extension so I can get my kids bikes on the rack too.

0dyfamily · Jul 30, 2016

Try this one: bike rack?

We're using a Yakima Holdup with the Plus 2 to give me the ability to put four bikes on the hitch. Below is not my vehicle, but my rack looks exactly like this.

We've also got a pair of Thule Big Mouth roof racks for another two bikes on the roof, next to a narrow Yakima Space Booster box (the thinnest RocketBox), should we need more room for other items.

All that weight on the hitch would make the van's rear end squat, so at first I installed Monroe Sensa-Trac Load Adjusting shock absorbers, which solved most of that issue. They have a coil-over spring design to give a little extra spring rate in the back.

We did use the Thule 964 for a couple years, and without the Monroe's, it would scrape upon entering or exiting fairly steep driveways. If I had 3 kids on the back bench, then I just had to avoid those steep driveways, even with those very helpful Monroe shock absorbers.

Later, I added AirLift 1000 air bags because of heavy boat towing duties. You do not need both; one or the other is fine, but the AirLifts are adjustable, and with these that heavy Yakima Holdup and four bikes was more easily tamed.

I will say that the Yakima SwingDaddy does sit a little higher than the Thule 964 (it's called the Revolver, and has been replaced by Thule's 9027 Apex Swing); i.e., the Yakima product has more ground clearance.

Food for thought!

OF

Oggie50 · Jul 30, 2016

I currently have the Yakima rack and love it. I've had a Thule T2 and hated the quality in it. IMO

i also had a Yakima swing away and it doesn't work well for small bikes or full suspension bikes. Great concept of it that you can swing it away while loaded but to load/unload is a chore so it had to go.

0dyfamily · Aug 1, 2016

Oggie50 said:
...i also had a Yakima swing away and it doesn't work well for small bikes or full suspension bikes. Great concept of it that you can swing it away while loaded but to load/unload is a chore so it had to go.

That was my experience. The swing-away Thule Revolver was also a chore to load or unload. Also, for my girls' bikes, I had to get an adapter that "simulated" a top tube on a frame. Great for what is does, built like a bank vault, but I needed something to handle the odd bike frames we used.

That's when I went with the Yakima Holdup, like yours (mine has the extension to get two more bikes on board). Man, that chore of putting a bike on the rack or removing it was greatly simplified! Also, you don't have to remove every bike to get at the first one on the rack if you have a Yakima Holdup or a Thule T2.

OF

John U · Aug 1, 2016

Here's a Saris 2 place Freedom found for around $230. No complaints.

yangpa2004 · Sep 7, 2016

Mrgtr16, which uhaul hitch you installed on your Ody? I am having trouble to fit the uhaul 78234 to my 2013. Did you have any trouble installing yours ? Appreciate your feedback! Thanks.

Otis2011 · Sep 7, 2016

I just installed the OEM hitch and got a Thule Apex 4 Swing which carries four bikes. For me I loaded up two adult bikes and two kids bikes. The adults were fine but I had to get an adapter for the women's bike as it did not have a top tube. Mine fit on fine. My son's 20 inch was a pain to put on as I had to get an adapter for his bike and then raise his seat in order for the rack bars to fit between since the cradles were so bulky. Bit of a pain but now I've noticed that some people just strap it on by the bottom tube which I may have to try one day. The last one was a kids 12 inch so i just used one bar and strapped it on.
As for the bike rack itself, there was enough room for me to open the trunk to access my goods so I didn't have to move the rack so often. Took it on a trip to Kelowna and things worked out well. Snug tite receiver is a little suspect and had to make lot of adjustments to make it fairly snug.

Hitch Bike Rack thread?

ProudPaPa

woodpecker

Oggie50

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ProudPaPa

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Oggie50

mrgtr16

ody11va

0dyfamily

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