Is a Shorter Hitch Bolt Available for the Yakima HoldUp Bike Carrier for 1-1/4 Inch Trailer Hitches

Question:

I have this same exact bolt I believe with my 1.25inch Holdup 2, but it seems like Yakima tried to cut costs by shipping only one size of bolt. The bolt sticks out the side of the hitch by a good inch and a half or so and looks pretty ridiculous with the lock that far away from the receiver. Theres plenty of space to just take a hacksaw to the bolt now even though you could do the same to the rack itself : .

asked by: Zach

Expert Reply:

Yakima has gone through several different bolts for their various trailer hitch mounted bike carriers. But ultimately, there is just the one, # Y8880129, for the 1-1/4 inch version of the Yakima HoldUp # Y02445.

Many companies have gone to one size bolt then the shanks of the carriers are threaded. One thing a lock does that you can't see or measure is act as a deterrent based just on its presence. A would-be thief would see the lock and move on to an easier target. Given the limited space to work in the area where a saw would be used it would take a long, long time to cut through a solid steel bolt. So it might be a little more protected then it appears.

For additional security you could add a cable lock such as # e98891 and route it through the bikes and carrier and the safety chain loops on the trailer hitch.

expert reply by: Michael H