frogger42

I got a Swagman Chinook 2 bike rack today, and next week, I am buying a used Honda Ridgeline that I plan to use to haul my bike to the areas wear I will ride. This will be a 3rd vehicle so it will be parked outside all the time. My current plan is to leave the bike rack installed on the Ridgeline all the time (the bike is stored inside the garage). The Chinook does come with a hitch lock, so it would at least take some extra effort to steal and I live in a relatively low crime area. However, I was wondering if there are any issues I'm not thinking of with leaving the rack out in the weather. Can you guys tell me if this is a problem?

FBinNY 

Though bike racks are stolen occasionally, they're not a prime target. There's no guaranty, but as you describe things, I'd probably keave the rack on full time also.

The greater risk probably isn't theft, but the chance of bending things when backing too close to a wall.

GlennR

If the rack blocks the license plate, you could get a ticket.

alaska_guy

My old man left his rack on his truck full time for 7 years, never had an issue. His was a three bike rack, if that helps.

Nermal

I used to keep a receiver rack on my car full time with no problems. Still, if you get stopped for just anything, and they don't like your looks, that's just one more bit of writing.

02Giant 

Other than the finish oxidizing, corroding, plastic bits getting brittle and locks seizing, why not.

FlMTNdude

Left it on my wife's car long term no issues. Granted, I have an actual truck and not a hybrid, but I have two clamps on the exposed side of my toolbox for the bikes. They could bolt on the tailgate instead I guess, but then would catch plywood and stuff as you slide it out. Saves having a rack, which would always be in the way and end up in the bed anyway when I hook up one of the trailers.

dedhed

I know of no one who has gotten ticketed for a bike rack in their hitch - EVER.

I don't know your climate, but I can tell you I put many hours into heating and beating hitch inserts left in receivers removing them.

I leave mine in most all summer, but grease the **** out of it.

GlennR

Never said it was common, but if a cop is short of his quota at the end of the month... it can happen.

Cyclists ticketed for license plate obstructed by bike rack | Bicycle Tucson

In New York they started enforcing window tint laws and people are getting pulled over for having tint on their front door windows.

And some local PDs get some of their budget from ticket revenue. I used to work in a town that the cops always had the latest toys and they had half a dozen different uniforms. I got pulled over for something stupid and court was packed with people with all sorts of minor stuff. Guess they wanted to get the latest fleet of new cars... they had a 10 man force.

jefnvk

Not saying it is highly likely, but it does happen. Great excuse if they want to stop you and have a talk: Tow ball, bike rack - if your plate's blocked, cops can stop, high court says | MLive.com

But a +1 to everything else there. I don't leave any hitch in a receiver for any length of time when not being used if I ever want it to come out again. One rusted into my Blazer so badly that I doubt if I needed the pin to pull a trailer with it.

Homebrew01

I left a regular trailer hitch in my car a bit too long. It ain't coming out.

shelbyfv

Having a truck bed, a great choice is a 2X6 and a couple of fork mounts.

BikeLite

I would not leave my rack on my truck, because I don't have a truck.

BobbyG

I see it folds down when not in use. I would be worried about banging it up while backing up by walls and other vehicles. Plus, other vehicles bumping into it in parking lots, on the street,etc. BUt I have noexperience with that.

I would be more worried about people appropriateingoieces and parts just for kicks.

I used to have a hitch mount on my Mustang and I would just throw it in the hatch back.

hagak

My concern would be the rack becoming stuck in the receiver hitch due to corrosion. I never leave anything permanently in the receiver hitch for this reason. I have seen it happen many times with people who leave the ball hitch always in place.

rumrunn6

might wanna clean out the hitch then spray it w a little lube of some kind, same thing with any threaded pin. to keep the corrosion down. don't lose your key! :-)

fyi I give my hitch a shot of black spray paint once a year. I use my hitch throughout the winter. my little rack goes on & off once a week. last week I wiped the inside with a cloth & gave it a shot of silicone lube cuz it's what I had handy. makes sliding it in & out easier. it's my daily driver so the rack doesn't stay on all week for 1 ride pr week

rumrunn6

thus the reason to fight every single ticket

Kapusta

I would make sure that it doesn't block your license plate when not in use.

Yeah, I have not heard of anyone getting a ticket for this, but then again, most racks do not block the license plate when not in use.

I did once get a warning from a cop about my bikes blocking my license plate. It was in a distant state that I seldom drive through, so I never really gave it a second thought.

Otherwise, I would not think twice about just leaving it on my car.

GerryinHouston

I can't see how a hitch rack will not block the license plate.

That said, check your state traffic code. In Texas, hitch mounted bike racks that have not been modified from the original design are exempted from the clause about blocking the license plate.

They are perfectly legal.

Kapusta

I would make sure that it doesn't block your license plate when not in use.

Yeah, I have not heard of anyone getting a ticket for this, but then again, most racks do not block the license plate when not in use.

I did once get a warning from a cop about my bikes blocking my license plate. It was in a distant state that I seldom drive through, so I never really gave it a second thought.

Otherwise, I would not think twice about just leaving it on my car.

DomaneS5

I have a heavy steel platform rack and during the summer I'll leave it on my SUV for long weekends, but never longer than a week. The road salt is murder on bike racks here during the winter, so I keep it off and store it in the garage when not in use.

rumrunn6

if the cops in your area are gonna bust your nutz about it, just get a thing that moves the plate w a light to the upright. saw one on a car the other day. they make them, just gotta do the leg work. don't know what happens when you fold the thing down w you bike on it tho. I've been using bike racks on my cars for a really long time, no one ever gave me a hard time. it's bike rack season for crying out loud

GlennR

In my case the office told me not to mail it in and it would be better to show up and plead it down. When i got there they did offer me a plea deal and reduce the fine from $100 to $75. When i went to pay id (cash only) I was hit with an additional $150 in court fees. so I was out $225 instead of $100.

It was bait and switch.

leob1

MY wife has one on her car most of the time. It's easier for me to leave it on, that to put it on when she needs it. It requires a wrench to take it off, and it's awkward to carry so I'm not really worried about theft.

corrado33

I left my hitch rack on my car for 4 years. Other than the paint fading, (montana sun will do that to just about anything.) the rack was perfectly fine.

Bike racks aren't show pieces. They're meant to be used. If they break by being left out in the sun for a bit then they weren't built right in the first place.