Cyclist0108

I just got a 2017 Toyota Rav4 hybrid (currently w/o a trailer hitch, but I can add one).

Previously, I had a Yakima roof rack on my Sienna (which I did not keep), but found it hard to use after breaking an ankle, and also my Enve fork popped out of the quick-release. So this time around, I want either a roof-rack or a trailer-hitch rack that will allow me to put bikes in it without taking off wheels. Also, since we went to the trouble and expense to get a hybrid, I don't want to compromise the mileage, so I need either a roof-rack I can easily disassemble, or else a rear rack. The car has rails but no cross-bars, so I would need to buy the mounts and crossbars in addition to the actual bike racks.

Given all of this, help me decide:

(1) Roof vs. trailer-hitch rear rack

(2) Yakima vs. Thule vs. ???

For two bikes, the Yakima roof option looks like $764.00, whereas a Yakima hitch option looks like $429.00 + price of hitch + install (Toyota wants $500 for the part alone -- presumably a 3rd part option would be more cost-effective). I assume it would be fairly similar for Thule.

Elvo

1upusa or Kuat NV 2. You can get a bolt on hitch for like $100 off ebay:

Curt Class 2 Trailer Hitch 12108 for Toyota Rav4 | eBay

FlamsteadHill

I have never used a Yakima, so I can't comment or compare, but we have a Thule T2 Classic Bike Rack (trailer hitch mount) and love how quick and easy it is to load/unload bikes. One really cool feature is that you can tip the whole thing down to access the back of the car/truck even with the bikes on it. I have it on my Ram pickup and can open the tailgate flat with it tilted down.

Holds the bikes very firmly yet without possibility of damage from attachment points.

It also folds up when you have the bikes off, so it doesn't stick out nearly as far.

The only thing I don't like about it is that it uses a threaded pin to hold the rack in the receiver, so you need a wrench to install or remove it, and you can only turn the wrench 1/12 of a turn at a time, so it's a real pain. And since I don't trust a threaded connection, I always use the (included) lock so that if it does back out, at least it can't fall off. If you are just going to put it on and leave it, no big deal.

Also, it was a bit more work than expected to put together, but that was a one-time thing and can be forgiven/forgotten (except that obviously I haven't forgotten, but it was less than 6 weeks ago...).

Juan Foote

Kuat

Very nice rack, comes with a cable lock and repair stand built in. Very well built and nice looking.

tko365

+1 for the 1UP USA. Not cheap but solid and can be converted to 1, 2, 3 bikes.

1UP USA

jefnvk

Neither my Thule Big Mouth nor Inno fork mount roof trays are quick to take off. It's not hard, but probably 5-10 min each, that would add up in a hurry. If aerodynamics is a concern, I'd suggest a hitch rack that can easily come on/off.

Nachoman

I have a typical Thule rear rack. The only thing special about it is that it has an 'anti sway bar' to secure the wheels and keep the bikes from making contact with each other, which is a very nice option. But even with the anti sway bar, it's very difficult to keep more than two bikes from hitting each other, especially on longer trips, so I end up using pipe insulation at the potential contact points.

My next rack will probably be a rear hitch mounted rack that seats each bike individually at the bottom of the wheel instead of hanging from the top tube.

fietsbob

I had a Roof rack on a car made in 1968, it had raingutters to attach the rack onto..

Now cars are made without the raingutter , which was a welded joint between roof and rest of body..

Cyclist0108

Thanks. All of this has been really helpful, esp. info on the hitch.

Laurido92

hitch from e-trailer.com and Saris Freedom Superclamp 2 and I couldn't be happier with it.

02Giant 

I have a 4 year old version of this rack; https://www.saris.com/product/superclamp-ex-2 It will fit 1 1/4" or 2" receivers. Mine is used in 2".
I've been very happy with it. There isn't any way for the bikes to contact each other is the pedals are properly placed.

mstateglfr 

Kuat is nice, but stupid expensive.

REI has multiple carriers available and their seasonal 20% off coupons apply to carriers.

I love platform carriers vs hanging carriers. Platforms are heavier, but the 15' i carry it to the car simply isnt too difficult to do.
Both yakima and thule make great platform carriers that are basically identical in price. They are both great quality too. I got a Thule T2 classic and flippin love how easy it is to set up and use.

We have the 2 bike carrier plus 2 bike attachment. It fits road bikes, gravel bikes, mountain bikes, kids bikes, etc with instant adjustability. The wheels stay in the bikes where they belong and nothing touches the frames.
We just did a 2200mi roadtrip with 4 bikes attached- it was simple to load, unload, and travel with. No sway and no clanking bikes.

REI 20% off means it costs $343.

Dirt Farmer

1UpUsa. When off the bike, I can carry it around with just a finger our two, it's so light. And it stows away in a very small space.

Cyclist0108

Yeah, I think I will do that. When does the next once come up? Labor Day?

mstateglfr 

Early October i think?

Cyclist0108

Yeah, it would make sense to use it for the trailer hitch rack, since it is a single entity. For the roof rack, each bar is a separate purchase, as is each rack, so the 20% off doesn't get you nearly as far.

cyclingarri

I couldn't find a pic or name of the best bike rack. I know it's made by Bell, and holds 3 bikes by hitch mount. It fold up when bikes on off, and easily can be taken out of hitch. It holds the bikes by its wheels, so you won't scratch your car or hurt yourself. It's similar to the way buses transport bikes, very sturdy. Anyways, I got it for like $40.00 on shopgoodwill.com. They have AMAZING DEALS on cycling, mtn bike, all sports actually.

cyclingarri

I'm telling you shopgoodwill.com, well if you like saving some moola. I've gotten 2 kick ass bikes for less than $60 each, bike rack $40, awesome bike speakers $9.99 and a lot of parts for my vintage bikes for like $50.00 saved myself. Oh and how can I forget my park tools tension meter for $14.99!

Retro Grouch 

With a Rav4 I would seriously consider option 3 - carry your bike on the inside. Away from the weather and road grime. Away from prying eyes of the less than honest. No worry about low overheads or somebody texting on their cellphone while following too close or about scraping on the driveway. A canvas painters drop cloth fromSherwin Williams only costs about $10.00.

W1MBT

+1 on the idea of inside the RAV4. I have the same car and flip the seat down, spread the drop cloth and slide the bike in. Works well. However, the OP implied he had 2 bikes - I've not tried two bikes inside...

Nachoman

Easy with one. Difficult with two. And near impossible with three (although I've done once with front wheels removed).

Cyclist0108

It is one of the reasons I bought it.

It is replacing a minivan (Sienna), in which I could cram up to 3 bikes upright in the back, while keeping 2 rows of seats. (Using a wheel-box for a separator really helped.) Losing that (transmission failure -- repair cost more than the vehicle was worth) was a sad day. I also had a Yakama rack on its roof, but I used that mainly for transporting more than 2 bikes. I rented both a Prius v and Rav4 so I could test putting bikes in the back without a greasy salesman getting in my way.

Cyclist0108

Yeah, family of 5, 12 bikes in the garage.

raceboy

With a subject line like this one, I can't believe there aren't any plastic surgery/breast augmentation jokes.

Retro Grouch 

It's because I was too classy to bring it up.