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Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Wheel Mount

Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Wheel Mount

Item # KU48VR
Our Price: $1,389.00
Hitch Bike Racks
Shipping Weight: 60 lbs
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Premium rack has arms that deploy with the tap of a lever, making loading and unloading bikes almost effortless. Arms hold your bikes securely by the wheels. Built-in LEDs use your vehicle's 4-way plug to sync with your brake lights. 1-800-940-8924 to order Kuat hitch bike racks part number KU48VR or order online at etrailer.com. Free expert support on all Kuat products. Great prices and Fastest Shipping for Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Wheel Mount. Hitch Bike Racks reviews from real customers.
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  • Reviews (29)
  • Q & A (0)
  • Videos (3)
  • Photos

Kuat Hitch Bike Racks - KU48VR

  • Platform Rack
  • 2 Bikes
  • Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
  • Folding Rack
  • Tilt-Away Rack
  • Wheel Mount
  • Kuat
  • Bike and Hitch Lock
  • Class 1
  • Class 2

Premium rack has arms that deploy with the tap of a lever, making loading and unloading bikes almost effortless. Arms hold your bikes securely by the wheels. Built-in LEDs use your vehicle's 4-way plug to sync with your brake lights.


Features:

  • Platform bike rack carries 2 bikes using your vehicle's hitch receiver
  • Ratcheting arms with hydro-pneumatic pistons deploy with the tap of a lever for easy bike loading
    • U-shaped bridges with tire-size selector hold your bikes securely by the wheels
  • Cradle-less wheel trays allow bikes to be rolled front to back to prevent handlebar contact
  • Integrated LED brake lights and turn signals increase safety and visibility
    • 4-Way flat trailer plug connects to your vehicle's 4-way connector
  • Spring-loaded foot and hand pedal lets you tilt and fold the rack with ease
    • Tilts with bikes loaded to access cargo area
  • Easy installation with flatlock cam system
    • Tightens rack inside your hitch to reduce movement and noise
  • Keyed-alike locks deter theft of your bikes and the rack
  • Telescoping aluminum ramp (sold separately) helps you load heavy e-bikes
  • Strap kit (sold separately) lets you carry bikes with fenders
  • Gray powder coated aluminum rack and steel hitch are corrosion resistant


Specs:

  • Application: 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" trailer hitch receivers
  • Carrying capacity: 2 bicycles
  • Weight capacity: 60 lbs per bike
  • Wheel size: 18" - 29"
  • Maximum tire width: 5"
  • Maximum bike wheelbase: 53"
  • Distance from center of hitch pin hole to:
    • Closest part of rack when unfolded: 11"
    • Closest part of rack when folded: 6"
    • Farthest part of rack when unfolded: 28""
    • Farthest part of rack when folded: 15"
  • Carrier weight: 60 lbs
  • Limited lifetime warranty


Approved for use on cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, RVs, towable campers, and flat-towed vehicles - not approved for motorhomes

Pivoting Arms with Hydro-Pneumatic Struts and Adjustable Bridges

Kuat Piston Pro X ratcheting hooks

The Piston Pro X has arms with hydro-pneumatic struts that deploy automatically by simply tapping the release levers, so you can easily load your bikes with both hands. They operate like the gas struts on your SUV that lift and support the rear hatch. The struts have a Kashima coating that keeps friction low, so they'll always open smoothly and in a controlled manner, even when exposed to water, mud, and road grime.


Kuat Piston Pro X ratcheting hooks

To load your bikes, tap the levers to deploy the hydro-pneumatic arms, set your bikes on the trays, and rotate the arms up over the wheels. Ratchets hold the arms in place, so once you squeeze the arms against the wheels there's nothing left to do. When you're ready to unload your bikes, tap the levers to release the arms - it's that simple.


Kuat Piston Pro X ratcheting hooks

The U-shaped arms have bridges that secure your bikes firmly by the wheel, so they won't scratch or scuff the bike's frame. Each arm has labelled settings for its bridge - 20", 24", 26", 27.5" and 29" tires. Just pinch the spring-loaded levers on each bridge and slide it to the corresponding tire size for each bike - no tools required.


Grooved Wheel Trays

Kuat Piston Pro X front wheel cradles

The Piston Pro X doesn't have cradles for the wheels like most platform-style bike racks. Instead, it has wheel trays that allow you to position your bikes on the rack exactly where you want them, not where the cradles dictate you place them. This helps prevent your handlebars and other bike parts from bumping into each other. Additionally, the trays have grooves in the tracks that accommodate narrow 18c road bike tires up to 5.0" fat bike tires.


Spring-Loaded Hand and Foot Pedal for Tilting and Folding

Kuat Piston Pro X Complete SecurityKuat Piston Pro X Installation

The rack tilts down with your bikes loaded. So, whether you're at the trail or the grocery store, you don't have to remove your bikes to access your cargo area. It also folds up when not in use. This leaves a smaller footprint, so you can keep the rack on your vehicle to park in your garage. And if you want to remove it, it doesn't take up as much space to store it.


Kuat Piston Pro X rear wheel cradle

The spring-loaded hand and foot pedal is easily accessible when the rack is tilted up. When you're ready to load your bikes, simply step on the pedal and lower the rack with both hands. To tilt the rack with bikes loaded, reach under your front bike and pull up on the pedal with your hand. No more crawling through your bikes or squeezing between the rack and the vehicle to hit the tilt release lever. To return it to the upright position, pull up on the lever and raise the rack until it clicks into position.


Built-In Brake Lights and Turn Signals

Kuat Piston Pro X Complete SecurityKuat Piston Pro X Installation

To keep you visible and safe, the Piston Pro X has built-in LED brake lights and turn signals. The lights are powered via the built-in wiring harness that plugs into your vehicle's existing 4-way connector. The lights are visible whether the rack is in use or in the stowed position.


Easy Installation

Kuat Piston Pro X Installation

The rack is easy to install. Just slide the shank into your hitch and use the included security tool to tighten the flatlock cam. As you tighten the cam, an anti-rattle wedge is deployed inside the shank to help take play out of the hitch connection.


Kuat Piston Pro X Complete Security

The security tool has a hollow-point hex indentation, so it can only be used with the Piston Pro X. This helps keep the rack secure on your vehicle. When you're done using it, simply lock it in place in the compartment at the front of the rack.


Complete Security for Bikes and Rack

Kuat Piston Pro X integrated cable lockKuat Piston Pro X hitch lock

A cable lock is included to secure your bikes to the rack. The 12-mm thick, braided steel cable threads through your bike's frames, and locks back into the rack. The cable has a soft rubber cover that won't scratch or scuff your bikes' paint. A stainless steel hitch lock is also included to secure the rack to your vehicle.


Available Accessories

Kuat Piston Pro X Ramp

An aluminum ramp (sold separately) lets you roll your heavy e-bikes on and off the rack - no heavy lifting required. The ramp telescopes to ensure it touches the ground so you don't have to lift your bike at all. It can also be used to decrease the angle of approach to make loading even easier.


Kuat Piston Pro X Ramp

A hook-and-loop strap kit (sold separately) lets you carry bikes with fenders. The Fender Kit Only setting on each arm indicates where to place the straps so they don't make contact with your bike's fenders.



PX12G Kuat Piston Pro X 2 Bike Tray Style Platform Rack - 1.25" Hitches - LED Tail Lights - Aluminum - Galaxy Gray

Installation Details KU48VR Installation instructions



Video of Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Wheel Mount

Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.




Video Transcript for Choosing the Right Dual Wheel Mount Bike Rack INH110

Customer Satisfaction Score:


Customer Reviews

Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Wheel Mount - KU48VR

Average Customer Rating:  4.8 out of 5 stars   (29 Customer Reviews)

Premium rack has arms that deploy with the tap of a lever, making loading and unloading bikes almost effortless. Arms hold your bikes securely by the wheels. Built-in LEDs use your vehicle's 4-way plug to sync with your brake lights.

by:



by:

It's really a beautiful bike rack, and the lights work great. However, it blocks my car's back-up camera, regardless whether I keep it in up or down position. And to open my car's hatch, rack must be in down position. Things to keep in mind.



by:

Kuat Piston Pro X bike rack so far exceeds expectations on 2023 Tesla Model Y! Fabulous wellbuilt, solid platform 2 bike hitch rack w tilt & locks. Thrilled on all accounts: excellently presented product info, easy to follow lit & videos for installation & convenient access to customer service. Delivered in 3 days. Quick install. Just needed to pick up 4 flat to 7 way adaptor for hooking up electrical lights in stock at [online]. Lights awesome unique feature! Visibility from rear camera good. Contrary to video & booklet instructions may be best to insert hitch pin through holes in hitch receiver and piston shank as 1st step. Was more difficult doing this as one of the last steps. Also would be good to know about how to acquire extra set of keys. Glad to have piece of mind of bikes being tight & secure.



by:

I’ve had several bike racks over the years, but none have been easier to assemble. The quality of the materials used to make this rack are very high by my standards. Not a cheap rack by any means, but I’m a firm believer in “you get what you pay for”.



by:

etrailer was very easy to work with and answered all my questions quickly. etrailer knew the answers to my questions about the Kuat Bike Rack but oddly the person at Kuat did not. The boxes arrived in perfect condition.



by:

Quick delivery. It was pretty easy putting it together everything was packaged well



by:

Awesome rack, awesome experience. The rack was available on Amazon with Prime shipping. etrailers had the same price, free shipping and a faster delivery time than Amazon. Support a business other than Amazon and you won’t be disappointed.



by:

Truly fantastic product (despite a bit of a budget killer). Works great!



by:

A marvel of a rack, and greta service



by:

I looked most of the no touch racks. Most of the other racks needed two hands to release them from the tire and kuat didn’t. The rack is built very well and would think it would last a lifetime. Even though this one is one of the higher priced racks I’m not disappointed in the build quality



by:

Only rack we found that could carry our heavy ebikes. Love the locking mechanism!! Even works with our fenders. Wish it had place to mount license plate.



by:

Seems very well made and easy to use, I also have Kuat NV 2.0 , both are great racks



by:

Just as advertised if not better. Outstanding overall experience.



by:

Great service and great product.



by:

Very easy to put together. Solid rack. Had an NV 2.0 already but wanted the newer rack with the lighting as I think its more safe



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EXTREMLY easy to load and unload my e-b ikes



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Assembly was painless and the product is solid.



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See what our Experts say about this Kuat Hitch Bike Racks

  • Will Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack Fit 2023 Jeep Wrangler
    The Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack part # KU48VR will work great on a 2023 Jeep Wrangler and would not require an extension. This is one of the longer bike racks out there with more clearance to fit past the spare of your vehicle as it has 11 inches from the center of its hitch pin to the nearest edge of the rack. You might measure from your hitch pin hole out to rear of wheel to verify but for the Wranglers we've test fit racks on this would work as-is without an extender.
    view full answer...
  • Is There a Loading Ramp For Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack
    There is indeed a loading ramp for the Kuat Piston Pro X bike rack, and is the following part number: - Loading Ramp for Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack # KU63VR The Loading Ramp # KU63VR will fit both the 1-1/4" hitch and 2" hitch versions of the Pro X: - 1-1/4" Hitch: Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack for 2 Bikes # KU48VR - 2" Hitch: Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack for 2 Bikes # KU98VR
    view full answer...
  • Will The Kuat Piston Pro Fit On A 2015 VW GTI With Autobahn Trim
    The Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C11412 has a 1-1/4" receiver tube so the Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches # KU48VR would be a perfect fit for the hitch. To ensure it won't touch the trim you can measure from the hitch pin hole to the further point out of the trim. The closest portion of the rack when folded is 6" from the hitch pin hole.
    view full answer...
  • What Type of Connector Does the Kuat Piston Pro X Need to Power the Lights?
    It depends on which harness you have. If your CR-V has a 4-way connector then you are good. The Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack item # KU48VR you were looking at requires a 4-way to control and power the lights. I have attached a picture of the connector below. If your CR-V has a 7-way connector you will need the Pollak 7 Pole to 4 Way Connector Adapter item # PK12716.
    view full answer...
    Image 1 for
  • Recommended Trailer Hitch Receiver, Wiring and Bike Rack For a 2022 Volkswagen Golf R
    You will need the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C11564 for your 2022 Volkswagen Golf R. The Receiver # C11412 will only fit the GTI trims for your model year. Draw-Tite recommends the Drawbar # C45521 used in the rise position with either a 1-7/8" # 19256 or 2" # 19258 hitch ball. The T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness # 118646 will give you a 4-way flat connector. This connector will allow you to operate the lights on most small trailers as well as use Auxiliary Lights # C53201 with any hitch...
    view full answer...

Do you have a question about this Hitch Bike Rack?


Info for this part was:

Employee Andrew K
Installed by:
Andrew K
Employee Jameson C
Expert Research:
Jameson C
Employee Joshua S
Video Edited:
Joshua S
Employee Dustin K
Video Edited:
Dustin K
Employee Matthew S
Updated by:
Matthew S
Employee Carrie F
Updated by:
Carrie F
Employee Jonathan Y
Video by:
Jonathan Y
Employee Thomas T
Video by:
Thomas T
Employee Rick G
Video by:
Rick G
Employee Conner L
Test Fit:
Conner L
Employee Bradley B
Test Fit:
Bradley B
Employee Matthew E
Written by:
Matthew E

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