Affordable Bike Rack Options for a 2012 Kia Soul with a 1-1/4 Trailer Hitch

Question:

I have a 2012 kia soul + with a 1 1/4 hitch installed. I am just looking for a bike rack for two bikes. Looking to spend no more than 250 at the most. Would like the tilt feature so that I don’t have to remove bike rack to get into hatch area. Please give me a couple suggestions going from middle to high end please. Thank you.

asked by: Tevita H

Expert Reply:

When it comes to hitch mount bike racks there are 2 styles to choose from, platform and hanging. The platform style lets you rest the bike in some sort of cradle and the typically has a ratcheting arm that secures the bike. The hanging style uses arms with cradles that you rest your bikes on.

In the platform category we have the Curt 2 Bike Platform Rack # C18085 which has a very basic design and has a ratcheting arm that secures the bikes by their frame. It has tilt away and folding features to allow rear access to your 2012 Kia Soul and a smaller profile when traveling and parking without the bikes loaded. This comes with an anti-rattle hitch pin and a bike lock to secure your bikes. From the center of the hitch pin hole to the closest part of the bike rack is 12-1/2" but when it is folded up that is reduced to 3".

The higher end platform rack that I recommend looking into is the Kuat Transfer # KU74FR. This bike rack secures the bikes by their wheels which is great for bikes with alternative frame designs or sensitive frames like a carbon fiber bike. The Transfer also has the tilting and folding features plus the anti-rattle hitch pin. From the center of the hitch pin hole to the closest part of the bike rack is 6".

For a hanging style bike rack I only have 1 recommendation because I believe that it fits your needs perfectly. The Kuat Beta # B202-114 includes an anti-rattle hitch pin like both of the previously mentioned bike racks plus it allows you to fold the arms for storage and tilt the bike rack (without the bikes loaded) for rear hatch access. Two of the best features of this bike rack is that it has a lightweight aluminum frame that only weighs 12.6 lbs and it comes fully assembled. It doesn't come with locks but you can easily add a rack lock with part # HL1 and then use a cable lock like part # e98891 for the bikes.

Most hanging style bike racks require an adapter bar like part # UB01 to be used for bike racks that do not have a horizontal top tube but the 8" distance between the arms on the Beta greatly reduce the need for an adapter bar.

I have attached review videos for each bike rack that you can check out to see them in action.