Recommended Hitch Mount Bike Rack with Easy, Tool-Free Installation
Question:
Hi, I am buying a hanging or platform bike rack. Many of the racks on the site show a modified hitch pin assembly to prevent rattling or that lock. I am not concerned about having a ticking hitch pin-my goal is one that can be quickly and easily removed to take the bike rack off as I often tow or install a cargo carrier. What are your recommendations for the systems that have the best ease of on-and-off from among the bike racks you offer? Thanks in advance for your reply!
asked by: Patrick M
Expert Reply:
We have a number of hitch-mounted bike racks in both hanging and platform styles that offer a quick, tool-free installation and removal process while still securing the bike rack tightly inside the hitch so as to eliminate hitch rattle. I have chosen a handful of my favorite racks that are easy to put on and take off to give you a couple of style and price options.
A great bike rack option that will easily install and uninstall on your vehicle is the Thule T2 Pro XTR 2 Bike Rack # TH83JV. The hand knob at the front base of the rack is used to secure the rack tightly in the hitch receiver and works to eliminate hitch rattle. This hand knob can be locked using a Thule One-Key System lock cylinder, such as # TH512. The T2 Pro is a platform bike rack with large front and rear wheel cradles to make is easy to load your bikes. This rack also allows you to tilt the rack down when the bikes are loaded in order to gain better access to the rear cargo area.
For a platform rack with many of the same features as the T2 Pro but with out all the bells and whistles, the Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE2 # HR1450Z is a great economical 2-bike rack option. It also features a handle at the bottom front of the rack to tighten the bike rack inside the trailer hitch. This bike rack's hitch pin comes with a lock to secure the carrier to the hitch and the ratchet arms have built in lock cores for the bikes.
If you are more interested in a hanging bike rack, the Yakima RidgeBack 4 Bike Rack # Y02458 is a great option. Yakima has a similar system to Thule's to keep the rack tightly in the hitch. This rack will allow you to carry up to 4 bikes and has a weight capacity of 150 pounds. The RidgeBack is designed to fit both 1-1/2 inch and 2 inch trailer hitches. The anti-sway cradles have ratcheting ZipStrip straps and the cradles have TPE padding to absorb road shock and vibration.
If you'd like a swing-away rack to gain access to your back cargo area while the bikes are loaded, the Yakima FullSwing Bike Rack # Y02465 is a great option.
If you are planning on carrying any women's, children's, or other alternative frame bikes, a bike adapter bar # UB01 will provide an upper frame bar to secure the bikes more level on a hanging bike rack. An adapter bar can also make loading a child's bike easier. I've attached a review video of the # UB01 for you.
I have attached review videos of all of these bike racks for you.
Products Referenced in This Question
Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE2 Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Platform Rack
- Folding Rack
- Tilt-Away Rack
- Frame Mount
- Bike and Hitch Lock
- 2 Bikes
- Class 3
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Heavy Bikes
- Hollywood Racks
more information >
Kuat Ubar Bike Frame Adapter Bar for Women's and Alternative Frame Bikes
- Accessories and Parts
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Spare Tire Bike Racks
- Trunk Bike Racks
- Adapter Bar
- Frame
- Kuat
more information >
Yakima RidgeBack Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Hanging Rack
- Folding Rack
- Tilt-Away Rack
- Frame Mount
- Hitch Lock
- 4 Bikes
- Class 2
- Class 3
- Fits 1-1/4 and 2 Inch Hitch
- Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Yakima
more information >
Yakima FullSwing Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Swing Away
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Hanging Rack
- Folding Rack
- Swing-Away Rack
- Frame Mount
- Bike and Hitch Lock
- 4 Bikes
- Class 3
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Yakima
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Thule T2 Pro XTR Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Platform Rack
- Tilt-Away Rack
- Wheel Mount
- Bike and Hitch Lock
- 2 Bikes
- Class 3
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Carbon Fiber Bikes
- Electric Bikes
- Fat Bikes
- Heavy Bikes
- Thule
more information >
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