Hitch Rack advice needed

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I planning to install a hitch on my vehicle so I can use a
hitch mount bike rack. What kind (and size) hitch should I
use and what's a good rack? The rack needs to be able to
fold down to access the rear door. Thanks, o wise
usenetians.

If you desire to contact me directly, don't use the
spamcatcher address above, use rbmrwb at yahoo dott
com. Thanks.

"Russ Baxter" <rbaxter1@mailandnews.com> wrote in message
news:81b5897d.0407120536.2db183b5@posting.google.com...
> I planning to install a hitch on my vehicle so I can use a
> hitch mount bike rack. What kind (and size) hitch should I
> use and what's a good rack? The rack needs to be able to
> fold down to access the rear door. Thanks, o wise
> usenetians.
>
> If you desire to contact me directly, don't use the
> spamcatcher address above, use rbmrwb at yahoo dott
> com. Thanks.

I installed a 1 1/4" hitch on my van without any
electrical wiring because I don't tow anything but the
bikes. If you intend to use the hitch for anything else
you might want to consider the larger hitches. I have a
Yakima bike rack that hauls 4 bikes and swings down out of
the way when I want to access the back of the van. I've
had this setup for 2 years and I've been pleased. It's a
little tight with 4 bikes but I seldom haul more than 3
bikes. The only thing I've replaced are the rubber straps
to fasten down the bikes. They get a little weak after
repeated exposure to the weather.

"Russ Baxter" wrote...
> I planning to install a hitch on my vehicle so I can use a
> hitch mount bike rack. What kind (and size) hitch should I
> use and what's a good rack? The rack needs to be able to
> fold down to access the rear door.

Thule makes a nice one that tilts down. Their website can
answer your hitch size and other questions. REI sells it,
among others.

http://www.thule.com/

http://www.rei.com/

JF

> I planning to install a hitch on my vehicle so I can use a
> hitch mount bike rack. What kind (and size) hitch should I
> use and what's a good rack? The rack needs to be able to
> fold down to access the rear door. Thanks, o wise
> usenetians.
>
> If you desire to contact me directly, don't use the
> spamcatcher address above, use rbmrwb at yahoo dott
> com. Thanks.

I'm not sure on the percentages but it seems like about half
the racks require a 1-1/4" receiver and the other half 2".

I went with the 1-1/4" knowing that the rack I was planning
to buy fit. My first adventure in hitch mount racks was with
the "clamp onto the top-tube of your bike" rack (swinging
bikes). Not a fun trip: required a bunch of bungie cords and
a whole lot of fussin' so that the bikes didn't blow out
with the wind. Good rack if you put your bike on your car
once a summer, not good if you travel with your bike every
day. Steer clear of these type of racks if at all possible.
You end up spending WAY too much time looking in the rear
view mirror watching your bike wobble around.

I ended up getting a good deal on the Hollywood Pro Rider 2
and I've had it for about 2 years.
http://www.hollywoodracks.com/2&3.htm#prorider2

Front tire rides in the trunk but they do sell a front tire
mount. My biggest thing was the speed at which I could mount
and dismount my bike from the rack. One quick release on the
fork and a strap for the rear tire which sits in a tray.

One problem with the Hollywood Prorider was the strap for
the back tire was a major afterthought on this rack. They
should have used a ratcheting system with some heavy duty
plastic. That's the only ding I have with this rack. I
got rid of the cloth strap and replaced it with a 6"
ratchet buckle.

Good luck.

On Mon, 12 Jul 2004 11:32:08 -0400, "Beverly" <Beverly.Owens@work.com>
wrote:

>I installed a 1 1/4" hitch on my van without any electrical
>wiring because I don't tow anything but the bikes. If you
>intend to use the hitch for anything else you might want to
>consider the larger hitches.

Check the towing capacity of the vehicle, it's in that
little book in the glove box.

If the vehicle is limited to 2000 lbs. or less, usually the
only hitches available are 1 1/4" boxes. A common exception
is the Jeep Wrangler, as the wheelbase limits the on-road
tow capacity, but many owners use the hitch for winches,
etc... so 2" boxes are commonly installed.

If the vehicle is capable of towing more, go for the 2", as
the next owner may want the vehicle for actual towing. Many
hitches are sold as packages, which include the wiring
harness The harness usually simply snaps into a connector
provided somewhere in the rear of the car by the vehicle
manufacturer. If included, get it from the hitch installer,
even if you don't want it installed right now.

Adaptors are available to use 1 1/4" or 2" bike racks in the
opposite receiver for about $40-50. I have one of each on my
cars, and can use my racks on either vehicle.

Barry

"Russ Baxter" <rbaxter1@mailandnews.com> wrote in message
news:81b5897d.0407120536.2db183b5@posting.google.com...
> I planning to install a hitch on my vehicle so I can use a
> hitch mount bike rack. What kind (and size) hitch should I
> use and what's a good rack? The rack needs to be able to
> fold down to access the rear door. Thanks, o wise
> usenetians.
>
> If you desire to contact me directly, don't use the
> spamcatcher address above, use rbmrwb at yahoo dott
> com. Thanks.

If your vehicle can take a 2" hitch, that would be the best
choice. However, the manufactures rated towing capacity and
the hitch manufactures mechanics in creating an attachment
to your vehicle will ultimately determine if you can take a
2" vs 1 1/4" hitch. For most sedans, they just don't make a
2" hitch. Even though the total weight of the rack + 4
bicycles is under the tongue weight towing limit for even
the lightest duty hitch, I'm now aware of any 1 1/4" bicycle
carriers that handle more than 2 bicycles. I guess they also
have to consider the dynamic loads of a rack and bicycles
bouncing up and down. You can find adapters to go from 1
1/4" up to 2", but using such a hack is probably not wise.

As far as carriers go, I like the Sportworks Transport rack.
Holds virtually any bicycle very stable with zero
possibility of them bashing into each other. It also folds
down to gain access to the trunk, and folds up when not in
use. Sportworks also sells the part of this rack that goes
into the hitch receiver as a separate item so you can adapt
this rack to either 2" or 1 1/4" down the road if your needs
change. The Saris "Cycle-On" model is a obvious rip-off of
the Transport design at about the same price, but it's not
as nice as the Transport. Ordered my Transport through REI.

On 12 Jul 2004 06:36:06 -0700, rbaxter1@mailandnews.com (Russ
Baxter) wrote:
>I planning to install a hitch on my vehicle so I can use a
>hitch mount bike rack. What kind (and size) hitch should I
>use and what's a good

A 2" receiver will work with any rack (1 1/4" can go in with
an adapter), but are more expensive. Just something to
consider...
--
Rick Onanian