[KindaCrunchy]

Hiya!

I've been using a Saris Bones 3 Bike rack on my E for a year, but it's losing appeal: apparently it's not built to be on the back of something that vertical in the first place and it's scratching up my paint (grr!). I think that I can talk hubby into making a Mother's Day present of a new one, esp. since Father's Day is a trip to go biking I just need to know which one to ask for.

I've got a hitch already and think that would be the way to go, but I'm not sure what would be best. Ideally I'd like it to be able to carry four bikes, secure enough (maybe with a cable lock?) that I don't have to worry about them getting lifted, have access to the rear, not be risking damaging the tailgate.

TIA,

Kate

 

[Gritsbay]

I have a Thule hitch rack for 2 bikes and I love it. It pivots down to allow for hatch access and is easy to install. I like this so much better than trying to put bikes on top of the car, using Yakima racks, or something similar.

Easy on, easy off, easy install. Good luck!

 

[GaryS]

Somewhere on this Forum (I hate vBulletin's search feature) there is someone that has an Allen Swing Away bike carrier. That is supposed to be one of the few that doesn't restrict the tailgate from opening.

 

[PVR]

Somewhere on this Forum (I hate vBulletin's search feature) there is someone that has an Allen Swing Away bike carrier. That is supposed to be one of the few that doesn't restrict the tailgate from opening.

The Yakima Full Swing works well also.

 

[Island E]

I have a Hollywood 4 bike something or another. Pivots down and lets you into the back. I like it.

 

[chiefsilverback]

PVR - When I looked at the full swing in REI it seemed come up as high as their other racks and as per my 'Yakima Doubledown' thread, my tailgate hits the fixed portion of the Doubledown.

I'm just wondering if my hitch is mounted higher than some? Mine literally touches the underside of the rear fender. Does yours or is there a gap between the bumper and the hitch?

 

[chiefsilverback]

Hiya!

I've been using a Saris Bones 3 Bike rack on my E for a year, but it's losing appeal: apparently it's not built to be on the back of something that vertical in the first place and it's scratching up my paint (grr!). I think that I can talk hubby into making a Mother's Day present of a new one, esp. since Father's Day is a trip to go biking I just need to know which one to ask for.

I've got a hitch already and think that would be the way to go, but I'm not sure what would be best. Ideally I'd like it to be able to carry four bikes, secure enough (maybe with a cable lock?) that I don't have to worry about them getting lifted, have access to the rear, not be risking damaging the tailgate.

TIA,

Kate

REI have 20% off Yakima and Thule racks until Sunday! They Yakima Doubledown 4 is a nice economical option but you might experience rack/tailgate issues like me! It doesn't have a lock as standard but for $40 ish you can get the retrofit 'deadlock' kit.

One thing to consider is the design of your bikes. If you've got funky mountain bikes with y-frames/dropped crossbars, full suspension etc... you might find you need adapters to fit them on a hanging type rack so the Thule T2/Yakima Holdup type racks might be a better option?

 

[1fastvx]

I have a Thule T2 on my E and love it!!!

http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=22&sku=916

John

 

[PVR]

PVR - When I looked at the full swing in REI it seemed come up as high as their other racks and as per my 'Yakima Doubledown' thread, my tailgate hits the fixed portion of the Doubledown.

I'm just wondering if my hitch is mounted higher than some? Mine literally touches the underside of the rear fender. Does yours or is there a gap between the bumper and the hitch?

There is a very small gap between my hitch and the rear bumper. My tailgate just touches the top of the rack when it is down - the surfaces that touch are both flat, however, and no pressure is put on the panel on the tailgate. No damage in 4 years of use.

BTW, my full suspension mtb fits fine on the rack. I much prefer the full swing to the Saris type racks as I can have 3 (or even 4) bikes on the rack and still get full access to the back of the vehicle. The E makes a great base camp when you're on a long bike trip!

 

[a2j812]

I've used a rack by Rhode Gear for years, and it has served me well. I've never used in on my E, but I never had a problem lowering the tailgate of my Sonoma with it on there. It will fit large or small recievers, and even took a beating when I was rear ended by a Honda Civic. (Went right through the poor girls bumper and almost through the radiator/condenser.)
But the rack is STILL in great shape.

 

[B1ke Box]

1: Thule T2; 2: Saris Thelma

I've very happy with the Thule T2 Tray Rack => http://www.orsdirect.com/thule-917-916-t2-hitch-bike-racks.html. My daughter has the Saris Thelma => http://www.orsracksdirect.com/saris-thelma-hitch-bike-rack-4215-4216.html on her CR-V which is a good choice in a lighter weight rack.

 

[KindaCrunchy]

Looks like the Yakima swinging one is the way to go...4 bikes, locks up, access to the back. My question now: It looks like (looking at ORSracksdirect.com) there are two different models, the FullSwing ($319) and the SwingDaddy ($460). The features look the same - am I missing something?

Thanks everybody for all your help!

~Kate

 

[KindaCrunchy]

wait, just discovered the Thule 964 Revolver - looks a lot easier to load and see out the back window than the Yakima. Does anybody have one of these?

~Kate

 

[FreeVeggie]

I ordered the Thule Revolver during REI's 20% off anniversary sale. I will post a full review when it comes and I get a chance to install it.

 

[KindaCrunchy]

Thanks Everybody!

We ended up getting the Yakima Full Swing - it's perfect!

~Kate

 

[glynrd]

Yakima Full Swing

I used to have this bike rack, lost it in divorce. I really liked it except for one thing. The fasteners that hold the bikes on lost their grip after awhile. I actually had one bike once. It only stayed on because I had looped a cable lock around the 4 bikes. I also had a hard time with bikes with unusual frames. But the swing away feature is outstanding, and it is very heavy duty other than what I mentioned above. Maybe Yakima has improved the securing system by now, as this was about 10 years ago. I believe it had just come out. Good luck with it!
For anyone else looking for a bike rack, the etrailer site had a bunch, well organized, including videos about installation and mounting bikes on them. Excellent site!

Thanks Everybody!

We ended up getting the Yakima Full Swing - it's perfect!

~Kate

 

[milehighkiwi]

XPORT Flatbed 2-Bike Hitch Rack

These types of racks are great. They hold the bike securely no matter the size or shape of the frame and you don't have to take your front wheel off. They also fold up and come in a 2 or 4 bike model. Performance bike carries this model but there are others like it. XPORT Flatbed 2-Bike Hitch Rack.