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Topic: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad (Read 1628 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #20 –
Maybe you just need a new car!!!!

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #21 –
Quote from: acousticart –
Dave, do you need that 4 inch drop receiver because your Subaru is that close to the ground? On our Honda fit, the 2 inch drop makes for a very parallel to the ground tow bar. I didn't want the receiver to end of any closer to the ground than it needed too because of those steep driveways we run into occasionally.
Don

Yep, that was the drop distance that made it level, when I started towing the Subaru.  It will sometimes drag on really steep dips unless we raise the coach, and yes, we will get a new car at some point, but the darn thing is so reliable and fun to drive...

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #22 –
Overnighting in Rawlins, and lots of space in the RV park, so tried sharp turns with the Yakima on the top receiver and folded out, and we may have enough clearance.  Still need to try with a bike on the rear position tomorrow before we leave. 

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #23 –
Bumping this thread to see how Dave and Nancy's Yakima is working and how Don and Tys' Swagman performed over the long haul.  I think we need to do something so we can take our "normal size" bikes with us this year.

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #24 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Bumping this thread to see how Dave and Nancy's Yakima is working and how Don and Tys' Swagman performed over the long haul.  I think we need to do something so we can take our "normal size" bikes with us this year.

We use the thule tipping rack to transport our two prodeco electric large bikes.

Bought the roadmaster twin insert hitch.  Have not tried it yet.

Had a 1 1/4" inch receiver welded to our old Honda toad to allow either way of use.

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #25 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
Had a 1 1/4" inch receiver welded to our old Honda toad to allow either way of use.

Looking for coach hitch mount, not toad hitch mount.  Toad has roof pod on top for golf equipment, need to keep tailgate clear for near daily access to pod (standing in open tailgate).

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #26 –
We had our bikes on a rack behind the coach as part of the towing set up and then switched to the bike rack on the back of the Jeep we tow. Other than some minor obstruction of the Jeep's brake, turn and tail lights this seems to work well for us. We often go somewhere else where we want to ride bikes so this is easier. I didn't like having the bikes in the way of opening up the engine hatch.  Even when I folded the bikes down, the rack was still in the way.

However it works we always take our bikes.  They are a great way to get around.

Roger

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #27 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Looking for coach hitch mount, not toad hitch mount.  Toad has roof pod on top for golf equipment, need to keep tailgate clear for near daily access to pod (standing in open tailgate).

The thule carrier fits both 1 1/4" and 2 inch recievers.  The double insert allows both the bike rack and tow car and the dual sizing allows transferring the hitch to the toad.

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #28 –
I use a 4 bike rack made by a local company called kinetic wizard , it has a nylon wedge system in the hitch to eliminate sway .
He custom made an extension for me so that I could open engine door.
Worth a look

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #29 –
Michelle,
We carry two bikes on a platform style rack made by 1Up USA.  We use an extension duplex receiver that moves the rack back far enough that I can open the engine access cover without having to unhook toad or removing bikes and carrier.  We had the extension made at a local shop.  Everything rides snug and no problems towing.  We cover the bikes with a cover made by Formosa Bike Covers.  Works very well for us and Scott has the same setup.  Good luck!

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #30 –
Our Swagman bike rack has held well so far at 9,000 miles and counting. This includes using the crossbar of the bike rack to support the Roadmaster all terrain tow bar (and not the lightweight aluminum one either) with straps and or bungie cords when driving around without the toad. Seems sturdy enough, and the bikes don't waggle round much at all. Surely not the only solution, but it has worked well for us. Being able to open the engine hatch with the rack in place is a big one for me... that took some planning to get the right hitch extension.
Don
Quote from: Michelle –
Bumping this thread to see how Dave and Nancy's Yakima is working and how Don and Tys' Swagman performed over the long haul.  I think we need to do something so we can take our "normal size" bikes with us this year.

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #31 –
Quote from: Bill & Donna –
We carry two bikes on a platform style rack made by 1Up USA.

I've see Bill's setup and the 1Up rack is the one I would buy if we always traveled with our bikes.
 
However we don't.  I just replaced our old one which was a 1 1/4 - 2 in combo from Swagman.  Have the need to sometimes carry 4 bikes so I chose the new Swagman 2+2.  It is a substantial rack that supports the bikes by the tires and has many nice features.  We will use it on the Jeep (4 bike mode) and on the coach with a dual receiver hitch (2 bike mode).  Have not traveled with it yet but will report back after we get down to Florida in a few weeks.  A month back autoanything.com had the best price.

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #32 –
We have traveled for two years  (two full sized bikes) with our Tule tire mounted rack.
Thule Spare Me? 963PRO - Thule

Of course, you may have to buy a Jeep as well. ;)

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #33 –
I had a hitch mounted bike rack that would fold down so you could open the rear tailgate. Worked well and allowed us to take the bikes wherever we wanted.  It was easy to fold down too.
 

Re: Hitch-mounted bike rack, pulling a toad

Reply #34 –
Reporting back on the Swagman 2+2.  No problems with the rack hauling our 2 bikes for 1300+ miles in the dual receiver behind the coach.  There is enough clearance to stow the towbar on the coach with the bike rack in place (2 bike mode only).  As can be seen from pic #3 the rack extends quite a bit from the rear of the coach but there is still clearance when sharply turning with the toad attached.