Anti-Rattle Functions Included with Hitch-Mount Bike Racks

Question:

I am interested in a 4 bike hitch bike frame type carrier and noticed Hollywood products have a system for reducing the wobble of the rack in the receiver tube. Do the other major brands such as Thule, Yakima, Softride, etc. have effective methods of dealing with the receiver slop?

asked by: Jeff N

Helpful Expert Reply:

Many brands and models of hitch-mount bike racks include an anti-rattle device to help control the random motion of the loaded rack while you're underway. Some of these mechanisms include a lock in addition to the anti-rattle function. No matter what brand or design of rack you choose there will always be SOME degree of random rack motion while you drive. No bike rack will be absolutely motionless in the hitch.

Generally, the lighter the rack's weight the less it will tend to move within the hitch. Thule, Kuat, Yakima and others offer certain carriers that feature aluminum construction; see the link provided.
Motion can be reduced by loading your heaviest bikes first so that they are nearest the hitch and by the use of a strap to help steady the loaded rack. We offer ratcheting straps like # EM34415 from Erickson, shown in the linked video, that can take some of the weight burden off your hitch and reduce rack motion.

expert reply by: Adam R