My GF has a Forester and got a hitch and this rackhttps://www.amazon.com/Yakima-Double.../dp/B0012SBVSY

It works great, much better than the formatting here that needs to continue the link instead of ending it at the appropriate place

I forgot she got the Saris version instead - she got it late last year and it hasn't been used much yet.

I've had a number of racks over the years Thule, Yakima, etc both roof and trailer hitch. I currently have the Yak trailer hitch model with the arms to mount the bikes. It will hold four bikes but it's a pain to get them on and off. Once on though they aren't going anywhere and I can affix any number of locks to make it nearly impossible to get off for anyone but the professional bike thief with a sufficient time on their hands.

If I had it all to do over again though I'd get the Yak trailer hitch model that the bikes stand on...the one without the arms; however, I don't think they are as secure though...at least casually looking at them they don't. I may be wrong on that.

Let's not start one, please.

I would for sure get a trailer hitch. Anything else is going to scratch up your car. I really hate roof racks for bikes. Never trusted them and you stand a good chance of an oopsy getting the bike on the roof.

I have a Swagman hitch rack. Simple but effective design. They are reasonably inexpensive. I have the 3 place rack but I thin they make a four place.

I had the Nashbar version of one of those tray racks. I hated it and returned it. It was heavy and too bulky to stash in the car. Hard to mount too.

In case it wasn't apparent from my post, my Thule is one of the ones where you put the bottom of the wheels on the rack and secure them with an arm that grabs the top of the front tire.

I find it VERY secure. Surely way more secure than the older one I had where the bikes hang from the top tube.

It holds 2 bikes in its basic form, and you can add a 2 bike extension.

I try my best, but this is one tough audience.

FIFY. Just tried one today on a friend's car. It was nicer than I thought, but I think I would still prefer the tray mounts.

Just got the rei catalog. August 25th starts a sale where thule and yakima racks, specifically, are 20% off.

Thanks. Sounds like it is time to make the monthly pilgrimage to our mailbox.

Is there any reason not to get a 2" x 2" receiver? (Toyota only sells the smaller one for my vehicle, which I assume is due to the towing weight restriction of 1500 lbs, but wonder if there might be another reason...)

I would get the 2x2. Gives you a lot more options as to what you can use it for, and no drawbacks I can think of other than that it probably weighs a couple pounds more.

I put a Curt Class II hitch on my Subaru Outback and use a Curt hitch mounted 2 bike carrier. Not as "nice" as the Thule or Yakima, but less than half the price. Works well. Probably a bit more wiggle in the mechanism, which will put off some people. Has locks built into the mechanism, but you could add cables and locks for additional security.

The best pricing I could find was carid.com. Good place to deal with. I would give you a URL directly to it, but the board tells me I'm not worthy until I've made 10 posts.

Image is the Subie with the rack and bike on it.
IMG_1531 - Copy.jpg

If it's any help, my first thought was of the pic of Jessi Stensland in a white bikini top.

When we looked we kept hearing buy the 2" version. She got hers from U-Haul and it included an adapter for the smaller size. There must be alot of people doing this too, they didn't have any problem with not hooking up the wiring kit for trailer lights.

Dang. No sign of that in my mailbox...

It was just a general sale catalog, no coupons or anything. I think they are just on sale at all stores.

I have a Kuat NV rack and it's great for hauling my bikes with no worries. That being said, I would seriously consider the 1up USA rack if I was looking for another.

FYI - Kuat customer service is unbeatable. I called them because the springs in the ratchet arm assembly were getting worn out. They sent me two new ratchet arm assemblies.

Well----------------my girl friend could us a nice rack too!!!!!

What**********

Now I am worried about the increased whiplash risk due to trailer hitch receivers.

The National Safety Commission Alerts: How Receiver Hitches Affect Rear End Collision Injuries


Would using a 1 1/4" vs. a 2" receiver reduce this risk?

disappointed in BF members.Unless I missed A good post.

Here is A nice yellow one.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...-beach-fun.jpg

Serious I have both for my mini van and my wife's suv.

I bought the trailer hitch from Uhaul.Good price I bet I could tow A smaller travel trailer with it.

Roof racks came from Rerack in Oregon.Yakima ForkLift was $100 each when I bought them.Now $120 and OOS
Rear bike rack was discounted on Amazon.com.Happy with both.
Well get brand names latter.

I'd bet it does not substantially reduce the risk. The odds of collision are the same despite the type of hitch; the amount of force transmitted will be essentially the same, and depend more on how the hitch is attached and what part of the other vehicle hits it than the size of the receiver.

I'd also bet that the risk, although increased is still miniscule. That's one of the problems with science reporting. In order to make it interesting, they play up the sensational (22% increase in risk of whiplash!) rather than the relative risk. As an example, if I buy a powerball ticket, I have a 1 in 292 million chance of winning. Hey, I'll buy two powerball tickets! I've increased my odds of winning 100%! And if all my coworkers pool their two tickets and we split the proceeds, I've increased my odds of winning 5000%!

1 or 2 bikes 1 1/4 receiver is fine
3 or more bikes you want a 2"

I was thinking more in terms of whether a roof-rack might be a bit safer in that regard. The problem with the towing bar is it is always there, so you have the risk every time you drive the car, not just when bikes are on it (presumably the bike rack, disc brakes and Di2 shifters will absorb some impact).