Comparing Hollywood Rack Sport Rider Bike Racks for Toyota Corolla and Honda CR-V

Question

Question:

Hi - We have the Hollywood RV rider for our motorhome and love it. Now we are looking for a bike rack to regularly use on a 2014 Honda CRV ... and also would like to use the same bike rack but only for the next four months over the summer on a 2006 Corolla. We dont yet have a hitch on the Corolla, and assume it will be 1 1/4 for that size car. Because of this, would the Hollywood Sports Rider HR1000Z work for us to use with both 1 1/4 and 2 inch hitches? They are out of stock, and recommended you. We have two Electra Townies mine is a womens step through weighing about 32-35 pounds each. We are wondering why this model of Hollywood racks is considered economy and are we doing ourself a disservice long term on the CRV by looking for a rack that will also accommodate a 1 1/4 inch hitch to use only for 4 months? Is there any other bike rack that is comparable to the HR1000Z that you recommend? Thule EZ fold is a little expensive for us. Also - If there is a better rack out there for us that will NOT accommodate the Corolla we would also consider that. We are hoping for a platform rack swing away or tilt style bike rack so that when we use the bike rack on the CRV we can access the back. We are older so ease of use is important to us, and maybe something not quite as heavy as the Hollywood RV Rider for our SUV would be great. Also - We were possibly looking at UHaul, but do you have any recommendations for a hitch for a 2006 Corolla LE sedan and a 2 inch for a 2014 Honda CRV EX-L. Wed be having them installed in two different locations. Thank you so much!!!

asked by: Nancy

0

Expert Reply:

Great questions! And thank you for coming our way for hitches on your vehicles! We'll start with hitches and then move our way over to the bike rack:

For your 2006 Toyota Corolla you are correct about the 1-1/4" hitch options and for that I recommend the Curt # C11265 which is a Class I hitch. Curt typically has a thicker powder coat over Draw-Tite so this will weather the elements better.

For your 2014 Honda CR-V I have 2 different options based on price-point and design; the etrailer Trailer Hitch # e98868 has a nice black matte finish that's more durable than the standard gloss-black finish and is more cost-effective but the EcoHitch # 306-X7297 has a hidden crosstube so it will look better - but it's also at a higher price-point. Either one will work just fine with a bike rack so the choice is really up to you.

When it comes to the bike rack the Hollywood Racks Sport Rider Bike Rack # HR1000Z is definitely a solid choice. The reason it's classified as an "economy" option is because it uses more basic pieces for operation like using pins and an anti-rattle bolt instead of levers and a hand-tightening anti-rattle system. For more of a premium option you'd want the Sport Rider SE # HR1450Z but it only fits a 2" receiver so it wouldn't be compatible with your Corolla.

If you were only buying for the 2" receiver on your CR-V then I would say go with that second option # HR1450Z hands down because it has a 2" solid shank that makes it compatible with a swing-away adapter like the Yakima BackSwing # Y02483. The BackSwing will allow you to have unrestricted access to your rear hatch area but this (and others like it) strictly say the bike rack or accessory cannot have an adapter.

If you can make it work this summer without having the new rack for your Corolla then I say go for the Sport Rider SE # HR1450Z and the BackSwing # Y02483 - it will definitely be worth the wait. If you really need/want to use your Corolla to transport the bikes then Sport Rider # HR1000Z will do a great job as well.

I've linked some install and review videos on these parts for you to check out.