Just for a bike rack.
This?
http://m.northerntool.com/products/s...C5oaApH08P8HAQ
I want the cheapest thing that will work. It's only for a bike rack.
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Just for a bike rack.
This?
http://m.northerntool.com/products/s...C5oaApH08P8HAQ
I want the cheapest thing that will work. It's only for a bike rack.
I'm sure that would be fine. I ordered through etrailer last time I did this and it was similarly-priced. They had nice directions and everything.
You might want to consider 2" rather than 1 1/4". Some hitch-mount rack manufacturers recommend it if you go 4-bike. Cost difference should be negligible.
I see no 2 inch for my car? I was told there are adapters?
1 1/4" are typical for Subarus. Adding adapters adds play, additional parts and extends the bikes out farther, but is an option if needed. For a couple/few bikes, 1 1/4" works fine.
Yeah I probably won't be hauling a ton of bikes... I just don't want to be shoving my new fs bike (when I get it) in the back of my car like I do with the pahoehoe.. And 2 bikes plus Murphy doesn't work to well.
I probably have a spare roof rack if you need it
2 bike rack will be fine on 1 1/4" and it will be a vast improvement over shoving the bike in the back of the car.Quote:
Originally Posted by mtngirl79
If you don't have the hitch, U-haul is your best bet. I got my rack from Amazon. If you decide to tow anything and need the lights, Subaru is already wired for it. You can get the harness from eTrailer. Don't bother with anything that just straps to the back of the car - not worth the hassle.
I have a basket on my roof and if I took it off I would never be able to find my car in parking lots.Quote:
Originally Posted by abraham
I'm thinking of getting the north shore 2 rack.
And uhaul costs more. These things just bolt on, right? Like I can do it myself?
Maybe. There's a bolt with a clip on the end that holds the receiver hitch on. The one I had you kind of wiggle it to get it into the hitch, line up the bolt with the hole and throw the clip on the bolt. Definitely easier with two people, but I suspect that the 1 1/4" will be far easier for one person.
You be the judge. Youtube rules for how to and deciding DIY or not. We just got a '15 Forrester and I'll be putting a hitch on but I'm retired with a lot of tools and a lot of time.Quote:
Originally Posted by mtngirl79
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmpXt0cfz2g
I prefer the Etailer option. They usually have nice videos you can watch to see ahead of time whether you're up for it. They also have lots of Q&A and anecdotes from folks and hopefully from someone with your exact car.
Just know:
1. You'll need some big sockets.
2. Crawling under there is way more awkward than it is for the guy in the video who can walk right under the car.
3. The muffler hangers are so much harder to get off than it looks. Use copious amounts of WD40.
4. Have someone help you. Holding that thing up and bolting it on will be tricky unless you gave a giant heaving bosom you can balance it on.
5. You'll need a really big torque wrench. Maybe a local auto parts store can rent/lend you one.
The one time I've done this, the muffler hanger stymied me. It was a press fit into rubber on a newer car, and it sucked. I ended up caving and taking it into a garage so it could go on a lift.Quote:
Originally Posted by jm2e
<p>
Ramps and a cart are well worth it if you change your own oil and helpful for DIY hitch installation. http://target.scene7.com/is/image/Ta...&fmt=pjpeg</p>
Take a look at the new Swagman Sitkka rack that will start shipping in about 4 weeks. Best rack and best priced 2 bike wheel holder hitch rack out there. http://www.swagman.net/product/sitkka-2/
I have some favors owed. I'll get it done.
BTW, for the cost of shipping, I have a some 1 1/4" ball mounts sitting around if anyone needs one plus a 2" Toyota 4Runner with 2" ball.
Attachment 204023
This is what I was thinking id get.
http://www.northshoreracks.com/NSR%202-bike.htm
Best rack out.Quote:
Originally Posted by mtngirl79
Loved and abused the shit out of mine for a decade or so.
Awesome for highway and getting up logging roads for shuttling. Been down to bham with mine many a time.
You can use a u-lock and cable for security, and loop it all through your car's/truck's frame.
I've put hitches on a few outbacks and it was really straightforward. Forester should be basically the same. Looks like you'll have to pull off the muffler and heat shield in addition to the bumper and possibly tail lights but that all comes off fairly easily.
And torklift does a 2" reciever. I feel like that will possibly keep a bike rack from wobbling around quite as much.
I'm sure those are good racks, but I prefer the simple tray style. I have a Thule T2 and it's hard to beat.
1 1/4" holds two bikes no problemo. Installing a hitch on my car was a nightmare so I had my local mechanic dude take care of that.
I wish recon made a smaller rack so I could support the local guy but theirs are all too big.
Many vehicles are not rated for high enough towing to handle 2 inch class 3 hitches (goes usually by tongue weight). Class 2 is only up to 350 pounds. Plenty for most bike racks with a few bikes on them. As mentioned by others the 1.25 inch hitches when you go to 2 inch adapter for the receiver adds some play and probably would only be needed for the highest end bigger bike racks. Many bike racks out there in 1.25 inch receiver. I have one made by Saris basically- 4 bike, but I've never carried 3 bikes on it. I don't have a hitch on my latest vehicle, fold down rear seat.Quote:
Originally Posted by mtngirl79
The torklift hitch is like 600 dollars.
Not putting that on my beater suby.
Hey the 1.25 to 2" adapter. Some play, but both your car and the rack will handle it fine.
You can install a shim to take the play out of the adapter once you have it all mounted up.
FIFYQuote:
Originally Posted by boarddad
Curt, Reese, Draw-Tite, and others are all pretty similar most of the time. Unless you want a local place to get the business that you like dealing with. They used to just put their name on someone else's manufactured hitches.
I got a Hidden Hitch locally when I did my last vehicle. I did the install along with my father as a helper that for years did a trailer hitch on every vehicle. The Hidden hitch though had some receiver tolerances that were off and the hitch rack really was loose and flopped at any speed. I demanded they replace it under their warranty and they did, including the local dealer making the switch over, so it paid off going local on that deal. UHaul is not that great in my estimate.
Most all the hitches now you drill a few holes and bolt it on the frame. You can weld some on too, but no need for a light weight Class 2 hitch or even most class 3 2 inch hitches either.Quote:
Originally Posted by mtngirl79
You may also want to get a locking receiver pin depending on the design. Some hitches have the break away chain loops which could be used to get a bike lock cable through it, otherwise you are just trying to deter the theft of a good high end bike with a chain or cable around the rack post and if someone wants that bike it is easier to get it.
I ran a 1.25 hitch on a VW golf for many years just for the bike rack it would sit ass low with 2 or 3 bikes on the rack I could probably have DIY but I just had a hitch store do it
I have a rack that hangs the bikes from the top tube which is pretty old fashioned, IME with a small car the bikes wheels often hit ground while crossing curbs onto the road or dips in the hyway at speed especialy with DH bikes , a rack you can hang bikes from higher on the bike wouldn't ground out, of course that wouldnt happen with a tray type rack but then maybe the tray hits ??
I don't think you need 2" and I don't think you should tow anything with a small car like a Subaru or VW
now I rock the 4x4 pu
I don't intend to tow anything... pretty sure a forester can handle a few bikes, tho?
Yes, all you need is a compatible hitch for your vehicle, mount and get the rack of your choice. Make sure that you can pretty easily get he back hatch open without any removal of all the bikes. You want something that will allow clearance or fold out away from the vehicle and be able to open the hatch or rear door....Quote:
Originally Posted by mtngirl79
Bolting on a hitch is pretty easy, but if you are a mechanical novice, just go to Uhaul and buy it there (and have them install it).
Etrailer.com is a good source for information and has good pricing. They have detailed photos and installation instructions for each hitch, so you can see how difficult or easy it is for your vehicle.
I've used a 1 1/4" hitch on a sedan, with an extension to a 2" bike rack, and it's not great. The extension adds a lot of leverage to a fairly weak hitch (1 1/4" hitches are not made to bear a lot of weight), and it sits pretty low. I didn't like it, so I sold the 2" bike rack and bought a rack for a 1 1/4" hitch.
IMHO 1 1/4" hitches are fine for a 2-bike rack, but that's the limit -- no 3 or 4 bike racks on a 1 1/4" hitch. If a 2" hitch is available for your car, buy that one -- it's a "Class III" hitch, which is going to be much stronger than a 1 1/4" hitch ("Class II"), because it will bolt to the car in more places. Really no downside to the 2" hitch if you can get one for your car. Many cars only have a 1 1/4" hitch available.
Yup, a golf is even less able than a forester but it was ok with a couple or 3 bikes on a hitch rack, I would put 3 on the rack, one on the roof, camp gear, 4 people and go for a weekend ... probably overloaded
my rack would fold outward so i could get in the hatch
Consider that the further you put the weight out from the car the greater the leverage is on the suspension which equals more sag/grounding
I should mention my rack was bolted to the hitch under the Ball and it was hard to get the ball tight enough so the rack didnt swing around something to keep an eye on especialy when i put that rack out behind a small trailer where it was really swinging around
I had to tie the bikes at the wheels
I'm not sure why a bike rack that's strapped to the back of the car is worthless or not worth the hassle. We've had one for 20 years and we've just moved it from car to car and leave it on those cars all summer. It's probably perfect for a beater Forrester. I even threw it in my bag on a trip to Moab and put it on the rental car. It's an old version of this:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...8895d5b0bb.png
Get the one for 125 bucks and call it good. I only take it off in the winter so I can wipe the rear window. We love the thing, it's wicked fast, just leave it on there, bikes come on and off in seconds.
Just throw your bike in the rooftop basket and bungee it.
Interesting - out of curiosity I just checked the price for a hitch on my '08 Outback. $139 @ U-Haul, in stock, no shipping, several options @ eTrailer starting at $145 plus shipping.Quote:
Originally Posted by mtngirl79
I live I SoCal so U-Hauls are everywhere - YMMV where you are. No knock on eTrailer - I've had good luck with them too, and they certainly have the best install guide videos. To answer your question, yes, it should be a simple bolt-on instal. Get a different hitch if it's not. I would get a load rated hitch even if you never plan on towing anything. I was of the same mindset but have since rented and towed trailers twice - it's really nice having the option. Wiring the lights is even easier - a simple plug-in harness from eTrailer.
Seriously why are you even considering all of this for a beater Subaru? Spend 120 bucks, (or find a cheap one on eBay or CL), slap it on the rear tailgate and go for a fucking bike ride.
The NorthShore rack will be with you long after the Subie is gone. You can transfer it to your next vehicle.
Or ride to the trailheads in Bellingham, can't be too far. I guess she couldn't take Murphy then. A good strap on rack off Craigslist would be perfect. I drove with one from the Bay Area to WA several times, no problems.Quote:
Originally Posted by plugboots
Look at this one https://bellingham.craigslist.org/spo/6042123368.html
As can the other racks that slap on the back of a car.Quote:
Originally Posted by reckless toboggan