car rack advice

Richard Catrambone said:

Hi,

This is my first posting here, so if I'm in the wrong spot, I'd
appreciate it if you would let me know the right newsgroup to which I
should post this note.

I would like to get a car rack to carry three bikes. I'd like to get
the a hitch-type rack (i.e., the type with a "permanently" mounted hitch
at the back of my car which then accepts a connection to the bike rack).
I've looked online at REI and other places and have seen racks by
Thule, Yakima, and others at prices (for the three and four bike
versions) ranging from $159 to $449. I recognize that certain racks fit
with certain cars. My questions are these:

- What am I getting as I move up the price range (assuming that I am
sticking with a "major" brand like Thule or Yakima and that I am looking
at racks that hold 3 or 4 bikes)?

- Is the hitch that has to be installed to my car something that I can
put on myself or do I need to go to a hitch place to have that done (I'm
fairly handy but maybe this is something special?)?

- Are there specific features of racks that I need to consider?

- Any other advice?

Thanks,

Richard

Hi,

If your car does not already have a trailer-hitch, a hitch mount
doesn't make too much sense. Mounting a trailer hitch isn't rocket
science, but varies greatly in how difficult it is based on what car
you are talking about. There are also wiring issues so an eventual
trailer's lights can be lit. If you are never going to pull a trailer
that may not be an issue, but it is conceivable that at a vehicle
inspection you would have problems from having a hitch, but no wiring.

A hitch place will sort all that out for you. U-Haul has an online
thing to find hitches and prices. A hitch probably costs at least $300
with installation.

I have a Thule which clamps to a hitch ball. It has nice rubber straps
to secure 3 bikes. It works fine.

What type of car do you have? Some of the truck and hatchback mount
racks work well if you don't want to go with a roof rack.

Joseph

Richard Catrambone said:

Hi,

This is my first posting here, so if I'm in the wrong spot, I'd
appreciate it if you would let me know the right newsgroup to which I
should post this note.

I would like to get a car rack to carry three bikes. I'd like to get
the a hitch-type rack (i.e., the type with a "permanently" mounted hitch
at the back of my car which then accepts a connection to the bike rack).
I've looked online at REI and other places and have seen racks by
Thule, Yakima, and others at prices (for the three and four bike
versions) ranging from $159 to $449. I recognize that certain racks fit
with certain cars. My questions are these:

- What am I getting as I move up the price range (assuming that I am
sticking with a "major" brand like Thule or Yakima and that I am looking
at racks that hold 3 or 4 bikes)?

- Is the hitch that has to be installed to my car something that I can
put on myself or do I need to go to a hitch place to have that done (I'm
fairly handy but maybe this is something special?)?

- Are there specific features of racks that I need to consider?

- Any other advice?

Thanks,

Richard

I had UHaul install a hitch, about $130 and bought a Yakima rack that
holds 4 bikes. I like the Yakima method of securing the bikes to
prevent swaying (cradles and strong rubber straps), although when
there are 4 on the rack it is nearly impossible to prevent the bikes
from touching. Even if the rack holds 4, I would but more than 3 on
it unless you don't mind a few scratches on the frames and forks.
There are a couple of upgraded features I would consider. First, the
pivot located at the bottom near the hitch that allows the whole rack
to be lowered to access the trunk or rear door (I have mine on a van)
is nearly indispensible. The nice, but less neccessary feature, is
the pivot that allows just the rack arms to be lowered when not in
use.

Here's the model I got and it has been very satisfactory:

http://www.yakima.com/Product.aspx?id=32

Per Richard Catrambone:

Quoted message said:

Are there specific features of racks that I need to consider?

One worth mulling over is how/where the bike is supported.

If it's in a tray at bumper height, you get a convenience factor
of being able to just set the bikes in the tray - at the cost of
the whole thing being less forgiving if/when you back into
something.

OTOH, if it suspends the bikes by the wheels or top tubes and the
bikes are free to swing a little bit, the assembly is less
exposed to bumper-level impacts.

You pays your money and you takes your choice...
--
PeteCresswell

Richard Catrambone said:

This is my first posting here, so if I'm in the wrong spot, I'd
appreciate it if you would let me know the right newsgroup to which I
should post this note.

I would like to get a car rack to carry three bikes. I'd like to get
the a hitch-type rack (i.e., the type with a "permanently" mounted hitch
at the back of my car which then accepts a connection to the bike rack).
I've looked online at REI and other places and have seen racks by
Thule, Yakima, and others at prices (for the three and four bike
versions) ranging from $159 to $449. I recognize that certain racks fit
with certain cars. My questions are these:

- What am I getting as I move up the price range (assuming that I am
sticking with a "major" brand like Thule or Yakima and that I am looking
at racks that hold 3 or 4 bikes)?

- Is the hitch that has to be installed to my car something that I can
put on myself or do I need to go to a hitch place to have that done (I'm
fairly handy but maybe this is something special?)?

- Are there specific features of racks that I need to consider?

Measure the hitch on your vehicle, it's either 1-1/4" or 2"
(It may be possible to get a 1-1/4 adapter for a 2" hitch at a trailer
or hitch vendor such as UHaul). If you don't have one, do that first.
Vehicle load ratings may limit your choice to 1-1/4" on a small car.

Basic models are square steel tubes bolted together. A vinyl or rubber
contact is usually supplied. Arms may or may not swing down when not in use.

On next-up models, each bike sits in a padded cradle. That allows bikes
to sit out of horizontal for more compact stacking of the bikes (closer
to the vehicle). These are mostly supported with one large diameter
steel tube. The cradle will obviate some small bikes such as children's
models and some open or ladies' frames as the cradle is bigger than the
available openings in the frame. Various adapters are available for use
with such frames at extra cost.

Premium models swing up vertically against the car when not in use,
swing down with 2 or 4 bike wheel mounts (like a motorcycle rack) with
quick locks for each bike. Rack doesn't touch paint.

Yes, as with a boat trailer, simply plug unit into your receiver hitch,
set locking pin and go. Not difficult.

A rear-mounted spare tire may be in the way. Check that.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Richard Catrambone said:

Hi,

Quoted message said:

- Is the hitch that has to be installed to my car something that I can
put on myself or do I need to go to a hitch place to have that done (I'm
fairly handy but maybe this is something special?)?

I bought and installed a hitch and am currently shopping for a rack.
Installing the hitch took a lot longer than the 1/2 hour suggested in
the product literature, but the hitch is on and the wiring installed
with no real problems. I would suggest having a variety of wrenches
(socket, box-end, open end) in each of the sizes needed. If your idea of
"fairly handy" extends to having different types of wrenches in each
size, and if you're fairly patient, installing the hitch should be quite
straightforward.

One caveat, I'm told that getting rear-ended with a hitch-mounted bike
rack in place can greatly increase the amount of damage done to your car.

mark

Thank you for all the responses; they have been a big help.

Richard