Does anyone leave their bike rack on their car all the time?
 

I have an Allen bike rack that attaches to the back of the car. Because I can throw it in the back of the car, I always take it off. I would like to upgrade to the racks that plug into a hitch receiver, but I can't see lugging that sucker up three flights of stairs. Does anyone have a hitch style rack that they leave on their car for an extended period of time? Anyone ever had one stolen?

Un huh. I've been using a Hollywood receiver hitch for something like four years and normally leave it on all the time. Our theives are mostly opportunistic, though. Not too many are carrying around a 3/4" socket on a 1/2" drive ratchet. I've considered getting a longer bolt and adding a lock nut to the threaded end. Then they would have to carry two wrenches. I do often take it off before longish highway trips. There's always a chance some state police officer is having a bad day and decide my license plate is obscured.

I love the rack, by the way. I can't imagine a quicker and easier way to get one bike off the rack and on the road. Two bikes would be much more than twice the effort, if that affects your decision.

My hitch rack has a threaded bolt extending through the rack, no threads at end. A small hole through the shaft so that one can place a small lock so that the bolt can not be removed.

I've got this guy and leave it on all the time.

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/6...0515235148.png

I am going to get a hitch lock for it that goes through the hole that secures it into the hitch receiver.

NE Tiger, The only racks I've left installed for extended periods were a roof rack mounted on a factory luggage rack and a hitch rack that bolted to the reciever. With tools a thief could've stolen either, or even that Jeep as nothing is 100% safe.

Brad

i don't have a hitch rack but I have a Thule 822 Bed Rider... it locks in place and I see no real reason to ever take it out (unless I am going to be hauling something else in my truck) I rarely transport my bikes but it's nice to not have to mess with it when I do.

Thule revolver on the minivan all of the time.

I have something very similar. Ratchet out then sits right on the edge of the bed. I keep it on all the time as I carry my bikes farily often.

The fixture on the end allows me to run a cable through a space then lock in place (bed loop) with a U lock. :thumb:

Got it back in 95'sh for $60.:D

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5301/...3cfeac63d4.jpg
rack by gulpxtreme, on Flickr

I take mine off late fall when it gets too cold to ride & put it back on in the spring.