Recommendation Bike Rack for Truck / SUV
 

Looking for recommendations. We want a bike rack to mount on our vehicle. At the moment we own a Tacoma Truck (with a tow hitch), but that's leased and we'll probably get a RAV 4 (also with tow hitch). I want one that would be easy to put onto either vehicle, and is easy to swing out of the way so that you can access the rear of the vehicle when needed without a lot of hassle. I used to use a Yakima roof rack, and that was fine, but I'm getting too old for lifting the bike up onto the roof. I don't mind if its a higher end price model, if it's worth the money. One I saw was the Yakima Full Swing. I'm indifferent to manufacturer (except I like made in USA, but assume probably none of them are). For 2 bikes is enough.

1UP is all you need to look at. I love the fact that I can take on of the racks off if I only need to haul a single bike...I have a Honda Ridgeline and the rack allows full backup camera when folded up ....

thank you

If you can get past the price, the Küat hitch rack is amazingly good.

https://www.kuat.com/category/bike/

I have a Thule four bike swing out (forget the model name) that I've had for over a decade on my RAV4. The swing out feature is great but its also kind of a PITA to the poing of me not wanting to open the trunk.

Also, every time I've put more than two bikes on it I've gotten frame scratches due to bikes rubbing into each other (only did this with aluminum frame bikes) - I wish I had gotten a "wheel cradle" type rack to prevent the bikes from touching each other. For one or two bikes its great. Beyond that i'm not putting my carbon frame bikes on it. But for one bike I prefer putting the seat down and putting it in the vehicle as its easier and safer.

YMMV

I’ve been using Kuat racks for some time now. Fit and finish is right up there with 1UP. For two bikes, the Kuat Sherpa 2.0 is a great option. Aluminum construction made it light and easy enough to move around.
Kuat has the NV 2.0 as well which you can add the extension for 2 more bikes if needed.
I wouldn’t have the sold the Sherpa but I needed to upgrade to the NV 2.0 4-bike carrier since our children are all riding now too.

I have a Kuat Sherpa 2.0 for my 4Runner. I only put it on when we transport the bikes, but its light, super easy to install/remove, and stores easily in the garage.

Very happy with it.

1UP is made in Wisconsin and is a great rack if you are not in a hurry to get one. I was on a waiting list to order one for about 4 weeks and then it took another two weeks to receive it after I placed my order. Very impressed with the quality so far. Easy to install onto my vehicle and it has to be the easiest rack for loading/unloading bikes.

Which rack did you decide on?
I have a 2011 Rav 4 and I am looking for a hitch mount bike rack.
I contacted Thule and the Thule Rep said they could not recommend one.
The closest was the T2 Pro XTR or the T2 Pro X which require 1.125" minimum hitch pin hole depth.
I have 1.0625.
Also concerned about the bumper clearance.

My 2012 RAV (also with the rear-mounted spare) works well with the Thule Spare Me rack, which takes 2 bikes. I can roll a 3rd bike inside with one rear seat down, so I can easily transport 3 diamond-frame bikes and 3 riders. Easy on/off, no hitch required.
HTH.

Keep your eyes out for used Kuat racks. I bought new but they are the last rack you’ll need. Rock solid. One interesting observation relating to rear hitch racks; the location placed the front tray fairly close to the tailpipe on my Hyundai SantaFe. Going up a very long hill the exhaust was hot enough to melt some of the plastic parts. Bought an adapter to raise the rack but I’m curious if others have had this problem.

I've had a 1UpUSA for 8 or 9 years. It's still basically like new - they're that well made. But yeah, can be a long lead time.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...85c3d2f144.jpg

That is so helpful!
Thank you - I will check into that option!
Once the rack is installed, are you still able to use the cover for the spare tire?

Laurine You have to remove the spare tire cover to install the rack.
You need to mount the accompanying backing plate (with square shaft that accepts rack) behind the spare just the first time. That stays there and is not in the way of anything. The rack itself goes on and off in a couple minutes. Easy to remove it when not needed, then put the spare tire cover back on.

When I mentioned rolling a 3rd bike into the hatch area with one rear seat down, I should have also mentioned that it is easy if it is a drop-bar bike going in there. You just tilt it to get thru the hatch doorway. A straight handlebar bike is less convenient to roll in.

Check the weight of the rack plus the swing away mechanism. Not a problem if you leave them both 100% of the time on the vehicle but a pain otherwise. The Kuat are the heaviest of this type and a turn-off for me for that reason alone.

Highly recommend the Hollywood Racks "rack valet" that holds either 1-1/4 or 2 inch racks and has four lockable wheels. It makes it a lot easier to move a rack or to store it in the garage.

I use a 1UP rack and it tilts out of the way to gain access to the rear of the vehicle. I added a 8-inch extension bar to the hitch receiver to gain extra clearance for the back door to open unimpeded.

Take a look at RockyMounts options. I have a single bike carrier on a Honda Fit (1.25" receiver) and my friend has a double bike on his Honda CRV (2" receiver.) They fold up when not in use and will tilt down when loaded to allow the rear hatch to be opened. Don't know how well that would work with a tailgate, though.