Strap em onto the spare tire on the "slee rear bumper tire and bike carrier"
Cheers,
Sean
Cheers,
Sean
CYCLISTS: LC/LX Bike transport
- Thread starter docbluedevil
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I had to modify my Yakima swingaway as it did hit the the spare on my Kaymar rear bumper.
Right now I'm mostly using a Bauer spare tire mount that holds 2 bikes very well. In addition I can put up to 5 bikes on the Hanibal rack...I've done some modifications to that as well.
If your in the market for a Yakima rear swing away I would sell you mine.
cheers,
David...
The Sportworks rack is the best hitch mount imo. It's really great. Yakima copied it w/ the HookUP & King Cobra- good if you have alot of Yak parts already.
One thing we did w/ I was on a team- we had a Astrovan and put the roofrack on the rear hatch so the bikes were vertical on the back. This would make for better aerodynamics, but for us, it allowed more bikes on the roof.
The one good thing about the roof is better security and less dirt if you offroad. The bad thing is stability on a tall suv, esp if you don't use the fork mounts.
One thing we did w/ I was on a team- we had a Astrovan and put the roofrack on the rear hatch so the bikes were vertical on the back. This would make for better aerodynamics, but for us, it allowed more bikes on the roof.
The one good thing about the roof is better security and less dirt if you offroad. The bad thing is stability on a tall suv, esp if you don't use the fork mounts.
Another for the Softride hitch mount rack. Nice in that you can quickly (one move) pull the bikes straight rearward so that both the tailgate AND the upper hatch can swing open to clear handlebars, bar ends, etc. It even functions like a little bike stand for tuneups at camp with the aforementioned flat plate holding tools, oil and a drink or two. It also has the anti-wobble deal, an integrated cable lock that slips out of sight when not needed but is quickly deployed for a Taco Bell stop, and we've carried 6 bikes on it. These included a child's bike, a tag-a-long bike, two carbon road bikes, and two adult mtn bikes (long story). They also include a stout lock integrated into the anti-wobble mechanism. I drilled an extra hole in mine to clear the factory spare and this allows mine to sit back a few inches from the truck, but I think stock it will clear a huge bumper mounted spare.
The bonus is you can also get an attachment to carry several snowboards, or something like 4 pairs of skis - all in the wind shadow of the vehicle for MPG. These change back and forth in 30 seconds. I've been a roof rack maven for 20 years and can easily get them up there but there are just too many downsides with these great new hitch racks now available. This one's not cheap, but a paragon of good design now that I've had it for 2 years. All stout and overbuilt, and when I was shopping I found a picture of a guy carrying 8 mtn bikes on his down a rough dirt road and reporting minimal wobble. YMMV.
The bonus is you can also get an attachment to carry several snowboards, or something like 4 pairs of skis - all in the wind shadow of the vehicle for MPG. These change back and forth in 30 seconds. I've been a roof rack maven for 20 years and can easily get them up there but there are just too many downsides with these great new hitch racks now available. This one's not cheap, but a paragon of good design now that I've had it for 2 years. All stout and overbuilt, and when I was shopping I found a picture of a guy carrying 8 mtn bikes on his down a rough dirt road and reporting minimal wobble. YMMV.
I also highly recommend the Softride. They were selling them at Costco for a short while for a great price, but I haven't seen them since. I believe there would be plenty of room for a rear tire mount, but don't know for sure. Just to give you an idea of the gap, my tailgate folds down without having to lower the bikes, which is convenient. I looked at the swingout designs by Thule and Yakima and talked to people that had them at bike races and still went with the Softride. For one thing, the Softride is really easy to put on and take off, so I rarely leave it attached to the Car. I also have heard about people with problems swinging out the fully loaded Yakima or Thule racks as far as flex in the pivot and having to lift up the rack while closing to get it to latch in place.
Anyway, good luck with your decision. Let us know what you end up with, particularly with the clearance of a rear mounted tire.
Anyway, good luck with your decision. Let us know what you end up with, particularly with the clearance of a rear mounted tire.
A few years ago I built some bumpers for my pathfinder. On the tire carrier I placed a 2 inch receiver mount right in the middle of the carrier to hold the license plate. I also built a simple bike rack for it that slid into the receiver on the tire swing out, dropped about a foot and then had two cromoly bars that would take standard yakima racks. The bikes then sat sideways behind the vehicle and would simply swing out with the tire when I needed to open the rear hatch. It worked great. Unfortunately I sold the vehicle and the rack 3 years ago when I got my LX and I don't have any pictures of it. You can see pics of the truck and the license plate holder if you want though so it may make a little more sense.
Hollywood rack makes a rack that is specifically designed to clear rear mounted tires.
http://hollywoodracks.com/2&3.htm#hr6000
Personally, I tried the Yakima and Thule high end racks and did not like the amount of movement they allowed on the bikes. I ended up buying a hollywood and have been very happy. BTW, one of the Shuttle services in Downville uses them so you know they are durable.
http://hollywoodracks.com/2&3.htm#hr6000
Personally, I tried the Yakima and Thule high end racks and did not like the amount of movement they allowed on the bikes. I ended up buying a hollywood and have been very happy. BTW, one of the Shuttle services in Downville uses them so you know they are durable.
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Just bringing this to the top to add my support for the Softride rack. After reading the notes here and looking at reviews (MTBR.com) I was impressed with how it works. Friends have the Thule, Yamika, etc swing version and I wasn't impressed. Swing seems to be a major PITA.
The Softride is amazing. Very easy to use. It now comes with two mounting holes, so you can adjust how far "in" towards the truck the rack sits. With the rack in the outer hole, I can open the top hatch clear with bikes loaded on the rack in the upright position. The bottom hatch will also open, but only 3/4 of the way. When the rack is lowered, both hatches open and provide very easy access to the rear.
I had to search for this rack to buy iy (bought it off of eBay in the US).
Cheers, Hugh
The Softride is amazing. Very easy to use. It now comes with two mounting holes, so you can adjust how far "in" towards the truck the rack sits. With the rack in the outer hole, I can open the top hatch clear with bikes loaded on the rack in the upright position. The bottom hatch will also open, but only 3/4 of the way. When the rack is lowered, both hatches open and provide very easy access to the rear.
I had to search for this rack to buy iy (bought it off of eBay in the US).
Cheers, Hugh
I'll go against the grain here.
I am not going to put a high $ bike on a hitch rack. I have seen a couple of $5k bikes turned into parts mules due to them. One in a rear end fender bender and one due to an "Oh s***" moment backing up. I go with a Yakima Steelhead rack. The front forks are easy enough to control when loading. Once you get the technique down it is a piece of cake. If you are vertically challenged then get a step ladder.
Just my $.02.
I am not going to put a high $ bike on a hitch rack. I have seen a couple of $5k bikes turned into parts mules due to them. One in a rear end fender bender and one due to an "Oh s***" moment backing up. I go with a Yakima Steelhead rack. The front forks are easy enough to control when loading. Once you get the technique down it is a piece of cake. If you are vertically challenged then get a step ladder.
Just my $.02.
crholliday
Frisbeetarianist
x2
My bikes go inside the truck. I bought it for exactly that reason. I have ripped 3 bikes off the top of my wife's honda going under an arbor at a church camp (south Kansas trail). I have also backed a hitch rack into a wall (fortunately doing no bike damage).
During race season, I take the two middle row seats and 1 of the 3rd row seats out. I can fit 3 bikes and 3 people inside the truck with this configuration.
hmm.. I would of thought and on top rack system would be more prone to those OS moments... being out of site, out of mind. Pulling into the garage seems to be the most common one.
Rookie2
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Yes, I've seen more bikes come off the roof (like my sister and bro in laws) and be totaled vs. the back, YMMV. Interior is fine if there are only two of you, I have 5 people in the truck AND five bikes - lots of fun to put THAT on the roof!
Cheers, Hugh
Cheers, Hugh
Agree the world champion OS location is the roof. I've been a competitive bicyclist for nearly 20 years and roof impacts are the only one I've ever heard of - never heard of a hitch mount screwup vs prolly 20 roof hits I'm personally aware of. I love the Softride hitch mount. Even put a tandem on mine last week with the front wheel on and it worked beautifully.
DougM
DougM