Hitch mount bike racks
- Thread starter MattG
- Start date
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I have the Yakima Hangover 6
Pro’s
Pretty cheap compared to other carriers. I think I paid $700.00 on a deal of the day site.
When empty you can access the rear glass hatch without laying it back. Laid back the hatch will open.
Hitch lock and cable lock can be keyed the same as my roof rack.
My Expy holds 6 people and the rack will hold 6 bikes.
Con’s
Super Heavy. It’s like 70 lbs. no way my wife is getting it on her car by herself.
Not rated for the weight of Ebike’s.
CAN ONLY BE USED WITH SUSPENSION FORKS!!!!
Also have a Küat NV 2.0.
Pro’s
Well built and good looking.
Can hold E-bikes if only using two trays. Fat tire bikes and up to 50” wheelbase will fit.
Built in bike stand and cable locks.
Easy to load.
Con’s
Expensive, $850.00 for two trays and another $600.00 to add two more. of course shop around. I hardly ever see these for sale used.
If you get the orange one it fades in the sun over time.
Only holds 4 bikes. You would have to put the kid bikes inside the car
If I was to buy a new one today I would get the Velocirax vertical bike rack. They are made local to me in Utah. Very affordable and everyone I know seems to like them. Plus it uses the tire, not the suspension fork so road bikes are good to go.
VelociRAX
VelociRAX offers the only self lowering bike rack that provides the easiest vehicle access and the simplest roll in and roll out bike loading in the industry both on the car and in the garage. Impeccable quality, unmatched features at the best value. VelociRAX Rack’em fast and enjoy the ride.
www.velocirax.com
shane_th_ee
Full Access Members
Friends of ours just got a Lolo, but I don’t like the fact that it can’t be used with rear fenders. So I’m about to order an Alta.
We have a Thule T2 classic. It’s a 2 bike tray type with the 2 bike add-on for a total of 4 bikes. It has literally thousands of miles on it and still performs like new. Locking cables built in. It’s heavy and bulky but it is also bulletproof. Just spray lube the hinge joint and lever every year or so.
I’ll second the recommendation on the Kuat racks.
Since the Thule is so heavy I bought a Kuat Sherpa 2.0 (also a tray type) for my wife’s car.
It is expensive but you can feel and see the difference right away. Very lightweight but advanced design and premium quality. It is in a whole different league from the Thule.
I have had almost every type of roof mount , trunk mount , hanging, tray etc.. bike rack. I personally love the security and ease of use of the tray type hitch mounted racks. Most of them tilt down to allow access to the hatch on SUV’s.
There is also a swingaway hitch mod you can buy so the whole bike tray swings to the side. I believe Thule or Yakima makes it but it’s very expensive.
for more than 4 bikes? I’d probably do a 4 bike tray and the kids bikes on the roof.
I’ll second the recommendation on the Kuat racks.
Since the Thule is so heavy I bought a Kuat Sherpa 2.0 (also a tray type) for my wife’s car.
It is expensive but you can feel and see the difference right away. Very lightweight but advanced design and premium quality. It is in a whole different league from the Thule.
I have had almost every type of roof mount , trunk mount , hanging, tray etc.. bike rack. I personally love the security and ease of use of the tray type hitch mounted racks. Most of them tilt down to allow access to the hatch on SUV’s.
There is also a swingaway hitch mod you can buy so the whole bike tray swings to the side. I believe Thule or Yakima makes it but it’s very expensive.
for more than 4 bikes? I’d probably do a 4 bike tray and the kids bikes on the roof.
I have the Kuat NV 2.0 and am very happy with it. Bikes are very stable and it has integrated cable locks. I have the 2 bike version, but it's expandable to 4. Child bikes require an adapter, and you'd have to throw one of the child bikes in the back. I never worry about the bikes falling off or getting scratched.
We went with that one, have used it a few times. Probably cheaper than the others, but seems to work decent enough hauling our boy's bikes around.
ROBERT BONNER
Full Access Members
I have a Thule 964 "Revolver". It's designed with 2 pivots to allow the entire rack with up to 4 bikes to swing completely out of the way of the liftgate; so, you can simultaneously load/unload bikes on the rack and gear through the hatch; or, if you have to get to something in the rear of the vehicle while on the road you don't have to untie the bikes. Just unscrew one knob, lift a latch and swing all of the bikes out of the way until they are parallel to the right quarter panel. I used to drop about 2 mpg with bikes on the F-series due to increased drag; but, I didn't drop any fuel economy at all with the '20 Expedition MAX. My Revolver is about 10 or 12 years old. Looks like they have replaced it with the Thule XT Swing 4, and Thule site says they are "temporarily out of stock"....like 20 ga shot shells and $3 2x4's. https://www.thule.com/en-us/bike-rack/hitch-bike-racks/thule-apex-xt-swing-4-_-9027xt
Being able to load/unload bikes while someone else loads/unloads the back of the MAX is a time saver. Or, to avoid unloading/reloading the bikes just open the liftgate for any reason is handy.
Being able to load/unload bikes while someone else loads/unloads the back of the MAX is a time saver. Or, to avoid unloading/reloading the bikes just open the liftgate for any reason is handy.
Calidad
Full Access Members
Calidad
Full Access Members
powder4breakfast
Member
VelociRAX!!!
I also have Yakima Hangover 6 like Fozzy and a makeshift Hangover 4 on another vehicle. They are great options for adult bikes with suspension forks. That being said, VelociRAX is practically the only vertical style rack system that will hold everything from 20" kids bikes to 29" adult bikes regardless of suspension forks and including 3" plus tires without needing additional accessories or changing parts. Comparable models from Alta Racks and North Shore are 3 - 5 hundred dollars more.
You can purchase a 7 place bike rack from VelociRAX which is awesome considering the Expi can haul the people and most vertical racks tap out at 6. A 7x rack for under $900.00 is a steal. All metal and engineered / tested for off road use.
I like my Yakima, but without hesitation I would purchase the VelociRAX 7x tomorrow if I was looking again. This is a Utah company and Utah is Mt Bike Central. You see every style and type of hitch bike rack by the dozens around town and you wouldn't believe the rate at which VelociRAX are becoming the popular choice.
I also have Yakima Hangover 6 like Fozzy and a makeshift Hangover 4 on another vehicle. They are great options for adult bikes with suspension forks. That being said, VelociRAX is practically the only vertical style rack system that will hold everything from 20" kids bikes to 29" adult bikes regardless of suspension forks and including 3" plus tires without needing additional accessories or changing parts. Comparable models from Alta Racks and North Shore are 3 - 5 hundred dollars more.
You can purchase a 7 place bike rack from VelociRAX which is awesome considering the Expi can haul the people and most vertical racks tap out at 6. A 7x rack for under $900.00 is a steal. All metal and engineered / tested for off road use.
I like my Yakima, but without hesitation I would purchase the VelociRAX 7x tomorrow if I was looking again. This is a Utah company and Utah is Mt Bike Central. You see every style and type of hitch bike rack by the dozens around town and you wouldn't believe the rate at which VelociRAX are becoming the popular choice.
Look at the Yakima Front Loader. It doesn’t touch your frame or forks so if you have a carbon bike it’s not getting rubbed through.
Roof racks are a pain if you use them a lot. Maybe ok for a long trip where you go somewhere and stay a few days. Or if you need the hitch for your boat or storage pod. Going to the ski resort or taking the bikes to a trail head all the time it gets very tiresome getting them on and off. Especially with a tall SUV. A car it’s not bad. I had a rack on my F-150 that bolted to the bed and use the through bolt. It was very secure and stable. But sucked taking the front tires on and off. Ended up just using the tailgate cover. I’m all about it being simple and easy. That’s why it’s hard to beat a vertical or tray system.
powder4breakfast
Member
I can't imagine it being easy or efficient to use a roof mounted bike rack on a tall car like an Expedition. It seems like it would be enough of a hassle for one bike on each side and nearly impossible for multiple bikes without a ladder and long arms.
I have used and owned some variation of practically every style of bike hauling system and rack over many years.
1- Without a doubt (in my opinion) a truck bed with tailgate cover is the absolute easiest and preferred system there is. Even a thick blanket on a tailgate beats most other methods for quick hauls and shuttle laps.
2- No truck... my next favorite has easily been vertical hitch racks.
3- Hitch mounted trays are third. Trays are dialed when you always load the same bikes, but most have some necessity to readjust and move parts when you load different sized and styles of bikes for different rides with different people. Cheap trays are a huge pain and Good trays like 1Up and Kuat that adjust easier cost as much or more then a good vertical set-up.
4- After that... roof mounted I guess.
5- Any other rack that uses the top tube or another method to hang and haul bikes.
The above is clearly just my opinion and a lot of the downsides to my less favorite styles are simply first world problem concerns. In the end, if you can haul some bikes and enjoy life, you'll be happy enough with the solution. If you get caught up in efficiencies and little details, take a serious look at the list and consider the pros and cons and spend the money for a good product. The cheap products which still cost a surprising amount always have frustrating aspects.
I have used and owned some variation of practically every style of bike hauling system and rack over many years.
1- Without a doubt (in my opinion) a truck bed with tailgate cover is the absolute easiest and preferred system there is. Even a thick blanket on a tailgate beats most other methods for quick hauls and shuttle laps.
2- No truck... my next favorite has easily been vertical hitch racks.
3- Hitch mounted trays are third. Trays are dialed when you always load the same bikes, but most have some necessity to readjust and move parts when you load different sized and styles of bikes for different rides with different people. Cheap trays are a huge pain and Good trays like 1Up and Kuat that adjust easier cost as much or more then a good vertical set-up.
4- After that... roof mounted I guess.
5- Any other rack that uses the top tube or another method to hang and haul bikes.
The above is clearly just my opinion and a lot of the downsides to my less favorite styles are simply first world problem concerns. In the end, if you can haul some bikes and enjoy life, you'll be happy enough with the solution. If you get caught up in efficiencies and little details, take a serious look at the list and consider the pros and cons and spend the money for a good product. The cheap products which still cost a surprising amount always have frustrating aspects.
Zig10
Full Access Members
We have the Allen as well for a family of 4 mountain bikes. It's a tight squeeze, but we can get them all on securely, and have hauled them several hundred miles on it. Definitely not as nice as my buddy's Yakima, but it certainly gets the job done on a budget.
duneslider
Full Access Members
I currently have a Yakima Hangover and don't love it. It carries 6 bikes so it does the job and the price was nice but I don't love it. I also have a Thule T2 with extension to hold 4 bikes and it is fine but only fits 4 bikes. It usually is on the back of my jeep. I keep saying I am going to get rid of it but I still have it.
I occasionally do need to carry 7 bikes and for that I have a Yakima front loader I can put on the roof. It is a nice bike rack but the expedition is really tall and it is NOT easy to get bikes into it. I have to carry an aluminum work platform to stand on to get bikes on and off. I am fine with it for occasional use but that is it.
Like mentioned, the Velocirax 7 is going to be my next rack. I have friends with them and they are the nicest Large rack I have ever used. They are super heavy though, that is the biggest draw back. The weight is warranted for sure but it is heavy. I have used pretty much all the racks out there and if you need to carry a lot of bikes this is the best option.
I personally don't care for the Hangover, the Lolo, the north shore, or the Alta Rack. I am not sure what exactly I don't like about the Alta rack, it just feels sort of lacking to me and they don't offer a 7 bike option. The recon rack is super nice and I would get one of those if he offered a 7 place rack.
I occasionally do need to carry 7 bikes and for that I have a Yakima front loader I can put on the roof. It is a nice bike rack but the expedition is really tall and it is NOT easy to get bikes into it. I have to carry an aluminum work platform to stand on to get bikes on and off. I am fine with it for occasional use but that is it.
Like mentioned, the Velocirax 7 is going to be my next rack. I have friends with them and they are the nicest Large rack I have ever used. They are super heavy though, that is the biggest draw back. The weight is warranted for sure but it is heavy. I have used pretty much all the racks out there and if you need to carry a lot of bikes this is the best option.
I personally don't care for the Hangover, the Lolo, the north shore, or the Alta Rack. I am not sure what exactly I don't like about the Alta rack, it just feels sort of lacking to me and they don't offer a 7 bike option. The recon rack is super nice and I would get one of those if he offered a 7 place rack.
Holy ****, the VR is heavier than the hangover 6! What we talking a 100lbs.? My only real complaint about the HO6 is suspension fork only. They redid the straps and added one so it a little more secure. But I love the VR. I have to admit I am kinda interested in the Alta hammock attachment. To bad they are priced so high. VR has an amazing rack at a pretty good price. I have only seen a Recon on a sprinter in Park City. Looked nice
shane_th_ee
Full Access Members
My Thule XT2 Pro with 2 bike extension is about 100lbs…
I've got a Thule T2 Pro XTR for 4 bikes. It's solid, but big. My wife has a hard time lifting it up when it's empty and she needs in the back. I love the tilt down feature so I can open the hatch with bikes loaded. I also like the expanding bolt that locks it in place. Hate moving it around off the vehicle. I actually built a rolling holder for it to transport it to/from the car. I've had a few different carriers and this is my favorite. I will say I was really looking at this model or a Kuat and really only bought the Thule because I found it in stock during Covid lockdown. I've got a friend with an Expy and a roof rack and it works him as long as he never goes through a drive through or parks in a garage and he carries a ladder with him. 
duneslider
Full Access Members
I think they list the VR7 at 105#. Price has come way down on them it looks like. When we went to pick up my buddies, the guy was still running the stuff out of his garage and would order a set qty at a time and sell them until they were gone then place another production order. I think he has gone all in now and has a lot more coming in and was able to reduce costs and sell them cheaper. I think my buddy paid 1200ish for his 6 place.
My Thule T2 classic with the extension weighs about 85#. I think the hangover 6 is around 75#. The new ******** the hangover looks better than the ones on my rack. A few of my kids bikes (Woom off 4,5,6) don't have suspension forks and I can make it work with some of my own straps added but it is a hassle. A lot of people on the mountain bike team with us have the Alta racks and seem to like them. Everyone I know that has a hangover doesn't like it much.
My Thule T2 classic with the extension weighs about 85#. I think the hangover 6 is around 75#. The new ******** the hangover looks better than the ones on my rack. A few of my kids bikes (Woom off 4,5,6) don't have suspension forks and I can make it work with some of my own straps added but it is a hassle. A lot of people on the mountain bike team with us have the Alta racks and seem to like them. Everyone I know that has a hangover doesn't like it much.
byathread
Full Access Members
OP has 5 bikes to carry! This was my problem w/minimal options available. The kids have quickly outgrown the smaller bikes that are a little dodgy on it. 6 bikes on any vehicle with 2" receiver and it'll hold up to much abuse. I know! The 1/2" heater hose for handlebar padding is a bit worn when I was dragging my bike along I-70 in MO. Easy to replace that and the bungies are still going strong for me, even after that mishap. I have spares in case needed.
Go Lolo...
Thread 'Lolo Bike Rack' https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/lolo-bike-rack.40643/
you can also grab **** out of the back from the glass without any fuss if you aren't a fat ***.
It held up great last summer from PA to MT and almost back to PA on the back of my camper...until Missouri! The Lolo was definitely not the weak spot and I got a sweet new rim and some other components for my bike (the longest one ). Lots of sparks! Sadly, won't be putting it on the camper again cause the frame is welded/repaired/**** now, but, Lolo is definitely the best option for my family... I used it on a really rutted and rough road on the expy out in MT and the bikes were rock solid the whole time. Low fuss to take them on and off, too. Highly recommended
Go Lolo...
Thread 'Lolo Bike Rack' https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/lolo-bike-rack.40643/
you can also grab **** out of the back from the glass without any fuss if you aren't a fat ***.
It held up great last summer from PA to MT and almost back to PA on the back of my camper...until Missouri! The Lolo was definitely not the weak spot and I got a sweet new rim and some other components for my bike (the longest one ). Lots of sparks! Sadly, won't be putting it on the camper again cause the frame is welded/repaired/**** now, but, Lolo is definitely the best option for my family... I used it on a really rutted and rough road on the expy out in MT and the bikes were rock solid the whole time. Low fuss to take them on and off, too. Highly recommended
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