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Bike Rack for Car?

We're going to take a family vacation next month and want to take the bikes along. I've decided it's time to finally get a rack for the car. I'm inclined to get a trailer hitch-mounted one for my car (Hyundai Sonata) - anyone have any recommendations? Thanks!
jkp1187
2015-05-19 22:51:47
I definitely like hitch mounts the best, if your car can accept the mounting. Some people swear by the tray type ones that the wheels sit in, but I had an inexpensive Allen with folding arms that go through the frame that worked fine. Key points are that the arms fold down, and that the vertical arm has a release to swing back so you can get to the trunk.
edmonds59
2015-05-20 06:02:44
The geometry and frame tube sizes of the bikes you are transporting is also a consideration to help make your decision. some bikes, usually kids, have large tubing for the top tube or have a small space that may not fit securely on a rack. Also, my brother just bought a cheaper tray rack an his bike is too long to properly fit. I would suggest that if you are buying used (plenty of good options out there) to take your bikes and mount them just to make sure. also, a few extra bungee cords or some well placed and secured towels will help the bikes from bouncing around on the rack and scratching each other with pedals and such.
the-beast
2015-05-20 07:19:46
Another consideration in choosing a rack is the ability to "lock" your bikes to the car and not just the rack. I see expensive bikes locked to cheap racks that could be stolen simply by cutting the cloth straps that hold the rack to the car. Sure you wouldnt be able to ride away with the bike, but you could throw the bike-n-rack combo into the back of a pickup and be off in no time. This lack of locking properly is true of some hitch and roof racks as well. A rack that isnt somehow locked to the car exposes you to theft. Think like a thief.
marko82
2015-05-20 09:44:49
Related: Dealing with step-through frames. I got an extensible $30 bar at Thick a few months back which allows me to mount one of my two women's frame Huffys to my hitch-mounted rack. I will get pictures of my setups in a day or two.
stuinmccandless
2015-05-20 10:46:36
If you get one that has slideable trays that move up and down a rail, I recommend lubricating the knobs/bolts that secure the tray to rail, with something like marine lubrication of green grease or whatever; will make using the rack a lot less of a PITA
sgtjonson
2015-05-20 15:02:23
Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. Has anyone had experience dealing with the U-Haul place on Washington Blvd in terms of having a hitch installed? @Marko: good point about locking up the bikes. I was thinking of just getting a cable and looping it around the hitch underneath the car + through the bikes.
jkp1187
2015-05-20 18:51:22
I bought my hitch from them because of all places online and brick and morter, they were cheapest, however, I installed mine myself. It was on a dodge caravan, so im not sure if install is same on other vehicles, and all I had to do was remove 4? bolts, lift the hitch and reinstall the bolts. If you have an extra hand a about half an hour, I would think you could install yourself.
the-beast
2015-05-21 07:07:45
Anyone have a source for relocating your license plate so it's not obscured by the hitch rack? I've been looking, but havn't found much.
benzo
2015-05-21 09:47:41
I've also had my hitch purchased from u-haul and installed at washington blvd. It was much cheaper if you ask them to not include the wiring for pulling a trailer (My vehicle was pre-wired and just needed an adapter cable). I left it there in the morning and picked up my vehicle after work. I think the total cost was under $150 for my honda element for the rack and the install. YMMV. It shows about $30-40 for hitch installation after the cost of the hitch ($10 off if you do the ordering online).
benzo
2015-05-21 09:51:33
An ex had a car done there too. I think it had to be redone at some point, but it seemed to work well enough
sgtjonson
2015-05-21 17:29:40