Bike racks

[Mackdriver]

Hi all. So I’m going to be taking the fam on vacation next month, and I’m looking into a good 4 bike rack for the hitch receiver. Has anyone used a good one? Any recommendations? I’m looking for something to swing away to access the tailgate, even with the bikes hooked up just in case. We haven’t used a bike rack in years and not at all on a pickup, so any input or ideas will be greatly appreciated! 

[E-rich1210]

We have a Thule T2 Classic and I really like it. Fits my truck and the wife's forester since I added a 2" receiver onto it. Typically We only have 2 bikes on it but they do sell it with an extender piece to allow 4 bikes. I am able to open and close my tailgate with the bikes on. The rack also tips away from the truck in case you need further clearance. I like that it's a platform rack so the bikes just sit on it and you clamp the front wheel in. The back wheel gets strapped in and the bike is secure. They do sell locking cylinders as well for the rack but I just use a cable and master-lock...

 

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-Racks/Thule/TH9044-TH9046.html#exp-productdetails=.all-description

[Jeffrey L. Fenton Jr.]

Hey. I've just started using my bike hitch on the Silverado. Depending on the model a "reclining" hitch mounted unit will clear the tailgate. Mine will clear the tailgate by about 1 inch and sitting or standing on tailgate didn't change the distance. I have one similar to this:

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Allen-Sports-542RR-Deluxe-4-Bike-Hitch-Mounted-Bike-Rack/168617601

 

Keep in mind that a fully loaded bike rack will be difficult to lift when reclined. you may need to remove the bike from the rack to raise and lower it. The bike rack has been durable so far and the only clip broken was my own fault. 

 

Jeff

[Black02Silverado]

We have a Thule that fits 4 bikes on that hang.  It works ok but if you have an odd frame bike like some of the mountain bikes then it doesn't work so well. The Thule T2 is the way to go if we ever get another rack.  

 

Ours swings down but if the bikes are on it can get heavy and they can still swing down some towards the ground. 

[Mackdriver]

Thanks for some real world experience. I e been looking at the Yakima double down and swing away and at the Thule vertex. The vertex offers both a swing away and regular drop down version I believe. I’m just not sure if I want to spend double the cash on a swing away version. I do like that Thule t2, I didn’t think the tailgate would clear it, that’s good to know 

[E-rich1210]

13 minutes ago, Mackdriver said:

Thanks for some real world experience. I e been looking at the Yakima double down and swing away and at the Thule vertex. The vertex offers both a swing away and regular drop down version I believe. I’m just not sure if I want to spend double the cash on a swing away version. I do like that Thule t2, I didn’t think the tailgate would clear it, that’s good to know 

No problem, I got a really old one of of a friend, back when they were owned by a different company. You can move the bike holders around on the frame so that's how I was able to get the tailgate to open. I use it for mountain bikes and road bikes and it works well.

[Mackdriver]

Ok so I went ahead and ordered the tow tuff cargo carrier and bike rack. It was a good price and it’ll be useful to carry extra if I don’t carry bikes. Im not sure if I’ll be able to access the tailgate fully yet, but no biggie, I have the tonneau cover and that’ll keep things locked away. I like that it’s a platform and should be easier loading the bikes on/off

[E-rich1210]

Looks very useful. You'll have to let us know how you like it. Best of luck!

[Homeslice]

As someone who can currently rig 13 bikes on my truck at a time, I highly suggest swagman for racks. They are an incredible bang for the buck and one of the very few I feel 100% comfortable trusting with $50k in bikes at a given time. I use the yakima backswing in order to clear the tailgate. 

[djsmooth56]

I really like my Kuat rack. Expensive, but works great and has access to the bed.

 

Homeslice, What mount are you using for those rails on the bed?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Homeslice]

On 7/21/2018 at 6:27 PM, djsmooth56 said:

I really like my Kuat rack. Expensive, but works great and has access to the bed.

 

Homeslice, What mount are you using for those rails on the bed?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

It's a pace edwards ultragroove cover and yakima corebar with "skyline" and "landing pads". 

[Ozer]

On 7/21/2018 at 8:43 PM, Homeslice said:

As someone who can currently rig 13 bikes on my truck at a time, I highly suggest swagman for racks. They are an incredible bang for the buck and one of the very few I feel 100% comfortable trusting with $50k in bikes at a given time. I use the yakima backswing in order to clear the tailgate. 

Dang! 13 bikes? Got a pic of this all loaded? Would love to see it just for amusement purposes. 

[Homeslice]

11 hours ago, Ozer said:

Dang! 13 bikes? Got a pic of this all loaded? Would love to see it just for amusement purposes. 

I'm sorry I don't. In fact, I very rarely need it fully loaded. Mostly, I carry six or eight bikes. I keep it setup daily for six. Four on the rear hitch rack and two or four more on the front hitch. I'm a bike industry sales rep so mostly I keep the tonneau cover closed because I have parts, samples and other items I like to keep secure.   I can then slide my cross bars forward in tracks and put five across the tailgate using a pad. This only happens if I'm shuttling for a one way ride. If I'm not using the bed for bikes, I occasionally have a yakima showcase 20 box over the bed. I used to have a cap but I don't carry as many samples anymore and I am using my truck more for household projects and trail building. Really wish I had tall towers but I can't find any that work with a tonneau.  The box looks pretty funny when it's on.