Recommended 5 Bike Carrier for 2 Adult and 3 Kids Bikes

Question:

We need a bike rack for 5 bikes 3 kids Seems like you could buy a replacement cradle for a Yakima full swing and add it to the existing 4 on the full swing since the kids bikes could swish together more? Thoughts?

asked by: David R

Expert Reply:

Adding the extra cradle to the Yakima FullSwing 4 Bike Rack - 2" Hitches - Swinging # Y02465 will void the manufacturer's warranty. If you decide to add the cradle anyway, the Replacement Cradle is # Y8890301 but it definitely will crowd the bikes and your weight limit will still remain at the 160 lbs.

You may want to consider instead using the Thule Apex XT 5 Bike Rack - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting # TH9026XT which is designed for that 5th bike and has the arms that are 29 inches long. You do give up the swing away option, but you keep the warranty and have the additional room as the kids grow and move up in bike sizes. This rack does have the tilt away feature for cargo area access.

expert reply by: Jason S