I didn't see this addressed in the thread. I would like to get a rack. My problem (possibly) is that I have a Subaru WRX and it is lowered a bit. (Not a lot). But my driveway is fairly steep. I'm thinking that without putting on a hitch and trying my driveway out, there isn't really any way to see if this will work. Any comments/ideas from you good people here?
Tallboy1959 wrote:I didn't see this addressed in the thread. I would like to get a rack. My problem (possibly) is that I have a Subaru WRX and it is lowered a bit. (Not a lot). But my driveway is fairly steep. I'm thinking that without putting on a hitch and trying my driveway out, there isn't really any way to see if this will work. Any comments/ideas from you good people here?
Plenty's already been said about 1Up. I'm still firm on my earlier belief that friends only let friends buy 1Up or Saris.
We have the lowered SE version of Toyota Sienna van and solved fit and good looks issue. Torklift has long been known for hidden Subaru and sports car hitches and now there are some from Draw-Tite. IIRC, Torklift has stuff branded as Eco. We got the Draw-Tite because it was less expensive and for our vehicle did not require removing the bumper. The etrailer.com site both that I mention and refers you to local installers.
The etrailer.com installer we used had even more options and ideas because it was a shop that specializes in hitches, trailers, truck bodies and work vehicle and truck items. That place knew so much about so many things that can be bolted to a vehicle that you might want to look at their installers before making a purchase.
I know people with other Subarus, minivans and Porsche vehicles that have 1Up with these same two hitch makers. Everyone's been happy.
I suggest not mounting it on top and putting it at the back. If you have a lowered car then probably get a lighter rack and just carry one or 2 bikes. Own a subaru outback and have https://www.subarupartspros.com/sku/soa567b041.html. Thule also have othe lighter racks.
Saw one this weekend and the owner was raving over it.
Price is very good and you get hitch and bike locks with it.
I love my Hollywood racks. They are simple, durable and cheap. I have the fat bike and normal wheel carriers. So much easier than my Yakima roof racks. They do rust in the salt laden roads around northern Wisconsin in the winter. So rinse them off.
Is removable rack that worth it than mounting it at the back? Thinking if this would work for me https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku/trab5304.html. If I'm bringing only one bike then I think it is better to just carry it on top?
We have been running a Kuat NV for years. Been rock solid. I’ve also got the 2 bike add on so we can carry 4 bikes if needed. It’s a solid rack and I carry everything from road to fat bikes on it. No bouncing, rattles or issues.
morenow wrote:Is removable rack that worth it than mounting it at the back? Thinking if this would work for me https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku/trab5304.html. If I'm bringing only one bike then I think it is better to just carry it on top?
Generally, no. That 'removable' rack does not remove or install easily. They (just the rack) often make noise and mildly impact gas mileage. That rack seems pretty expensive too. It seems like you would be over $500 just to carry one bike once you factored in a rack.
It's pretty rare that a hitch mount isn't the best solution. Plenty of Chargers with hitch receivers out there. If you're not going to carry more than one bike, the trunk mounted options like a Saris Bones could be a good choice. They would install and remove so much faster than that roof rack and are pretty decent when installed correctly.
Yeah, I have a roof rack (have for decades). I'm not a big fan of the noise, or reduced gas mileage, or the horrid gas mileage with a bike on the rack. Probably took my 30 minutes to put it on my car last weekend (and I have roof rails).
It is relatively easy to move from car to car. I've used trailer hitch racks (on my cars where it doesn't cost $500 just to get a hitch mounted), and they wobble a fair amount as there is only one point of contact with the car - so having the bikes clamped stable to the rack is critical.
I did do a cross country drive to do as much mountain biking as I could. I tended to use the rear rack for the highway (gas milage), and the top rack for dirt roads (as the bikes were locked in to the top rack very securely).
EBG18T wrote:We have been running a Kuat NV for years. Been rock solid. I’ve also got the 2 bike add on so we can carry 4 bikes if needed. It’s a solid rack and I carry everything from road to fat bikes on it. No bouncing, rattles or issues.
Another vote of confidence for the Kuat - have had a couple for a while now - just a great, solid, well designed rack.
