Hitch rack recommendations
#26
Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2023
Posts: 15
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
5 Posts
We have a Thule t2 hitch rack. I discovered I can move the two trays closer to each other.
then the trays can be shifted so the two front wheel holders, when used for single bikes, are now used for both wheels on the tandem.
the entire bike barely hangs over the edge of our Toyota sequoia because it’s slightly angled due to the trays not being completely aligned.
like some others, having to hoist our tandem on the roof seems like something I would have difficulty doing due to height.
I save the roof racks for our single bikes.
then the trays can be shifted so the two front wheel holders, when used for single bikes, are now used for both wheels on the tandem.
the entire bike barely hangs over the edge of our Toyota sequoia because it’s slightly angled due to the trays not being completely aligned.
like some others, having to hoist our tandem on the roof seems like something I would have difficulty doing due to height.
I save the roof racks for our single bikes.
#27
Full Member
We use a Thule 5-bike hitch rack. It's rated for 150lbs of bikes.
I made sure that the Trek T1000 was the first bike on; with wheels off it isn't much wider than the SUV.
With tandem+three regular bikes, not-light hybrids, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable doing aggressive driving. But 90 minutes of mostly highway was totally fine.
I made sure that the Trek T1000 was the first bike on; with wheels off it isn't much wider than the SUV.
With tandem+three regular bikes, not-light hybrids, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable doing aggressive driving. But 90 minutes of mostly highway was totally fine.
#28
Full Member
A regular tandem I would have worried about a lot less.
#29
Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2023
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've a steel Santana 26" with full fenders, just installed a 2" receiver and thinking of getting a rack instead of jamming the whole thing into my HR-V in long-mode. Wouldn't be used that often or for epically long trips, but not looking for bottom of the barrel. What have others used and would recommend?
I'm aware of the Draftmaster but it's both overkill from a price and functionality perspective (wouldn't trust using it near its multi-bike carrying capabilities since my car likely can't handle the weight).
I'm aware of the Draftmaster but it's both overkill from a price and functionality perspective (wouldn't trust using it near its multi-bike carrying capabilities since my car likely can't handle the weight).
1. Swing out front fork connector.
2. Remove front wheel of Tandem.
3. Stand on rear wheel and connect front fork to wrack mount.
4. Lift rear of bike (I do it with one arm, my wife needs both arms to lift the bike) and rest on cradle. Tighten straps.
5. Attach bike front wheel to mount, You are done..
#30
Senior Member
"I have tired of hoisting a 38lb tandem onto the roof, even with the articulation offered by the Sidewinder. I'm also tired of removing the front wheel to mount the tandem. So I'm looking for another solution."
Same here. Our tandem is a 25 year old Trek. We get it to the roof of my Honda Crosstour, but it's getting more difficult every year. And it seems that every year cars get taller and we get shorter. And older. Following this thread, for my next car.
Same here. Our tandem is a 25 year old Trek. We get it to the roof of my Honda Crosstour, but it's getting more difficult every year. And it seems that every year cars get taller and we get shorter. And older. Following this thread, for my next car.
#31
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 109
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
We use an older Hollywood rack like cyclocommute , but it is a three bike rack. I electrified our 1999 Cannondale RT1000 with a front hub motor, so I don't want to take off the front wheel unless absolutely necessary. Our tandem is a M/S, and sticks out about an inch past the mirrors on both sides of on our Nissan Xterra. Rack works great, we tie a small red flag to each wheel for added visibility
, have not had any issues. Have carried the tandem at the back spot and 2 1/2 bikes on the other two, rock solid
, have not had any issues. Have carried the tandem at the back spot and 2 1/2 bikes on the other two, rock solid
#32
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 194
Bikes: 1984 homemade 531SL road bike; 1988 Ritchey TimberComp; 1997 Nashbar tandem; 1998 Kona Explosif; Specialized Epic, Scott CR1 Pro; Salsa Beargrease; Curtlo custom Tandem, Curtlo custom S3 steel gravel bike.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Liked 49 Times
in
37 Posts
Designed this rack to mount our tandem sideways behind our van. On top was not an option as it is too tall and we're driving more than 5000 miles in an 89 VW Westfalia. 3000 miles in and the rack is great.
Had some 3 inch aluminum extrusion previously used for a roof top rack and had this welded by a local welder. He charged me $50 to weld it. Added the front triangle after finding that the aluminum was twisting a LOT under load. Super stable with the added triangle which is further supported at the steel step.
Really happy with how this worked out and hoping someone else can use this idea.

Rack behind Westfalia - overhang is less than it appears. Just about 2 inches to each side.

Side view

Wheels are mounted on Fix-Fork wheel holder which can handle QR or thru axle hubs.

The whole thing is in a Kuat Pivot 2 swing-out rack.

Rack is built of heavy channel aluminum bolted to a 2 in receiver extension with step.
Fix-Fork for wheel mounts is really nice, reasonably priced, but needed to be ordered from the company in Belgium and was expensive to ship.
Had some 3 inch aluminum extrusion previously used for a roof top rack and had this welded by a local welder. He charged me $50 to weld it. Added the front triangle after finding that the aluminum was twisting a LOT under load. Super stable with the added triangle which is further supported at the steel step.
Really happy with how this worked out and hoping someone else can use this idea.

Rack behind Westfalia - overhang is less than it appears. Just about 2 inches to each side.

Side view

Wheels are mounted on Fix-Fork wheel holder which can handle QR or thru axle hubs.

The whole thing is in a Kuat Pivot 2 swing-out rack.

Rack is built of heavy channel aluminum bolted to a 2 in receiver extension with step.
Fix-Fork for wheel mounts is really nice, reasonably priced, but needed to be ordered from the company in Belgium and was expensive to ship.
#33
Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 14
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Nice, I think that it's much better when people think things through and come up with their own ideas. You will always run into naysayers. Your rack looks like it should work well.