Best value hitch platform bike rack?

**Roxtar** · 08-23-2023, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by Danno

Sorry for abandoning, I forgot to check in to this forum today. This is the camper:

Attachment 468091

Can't tell what the rear panel of the camper looks like (windows, trunk, pullout, etc) but is there any way you can mount something to that rear panel? I'm thinking a piece of steel angle or rectangular tubing that spans the whole camper width to spread out the load and would be beefy enough to hold a rack? You could weld a receiver to it, and then perhaps mount a vertical rack leaning forward to match the roof angle.
I know drilling holes in your camper is kinda nerve-racking.

**alfajores** · 08-23-2023, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by brutah

Many bike hitch racks aren't rated for use on RVs or the back of campers FYI. Depends on the size of the trailer/camper ..... But something I'd consider if I was looking for a hitch rack for use on a camper

"The movement on the back of a travel trailer is the most significant but the 5th wheel or motorhome movement is also far more than the back of a vehicle due to the length behind the axle and the sway due to crosswinds and passing vehicles. That movement causes a lot of torque on the bike rack shank and moving parts can be damaged." Etrailer.com

This is very true. I was waiting to see how long before someone brought this up. I think Hollywood racks are mostly RV rated. OneUp SuperDuty was supposed to be, but I am too lazy to double check.

Of course, I will plug that despite NOT being a "best value" option for all uses, the QuikrRack Mach2 is RV rated and one could have it be a 1 or 2 bike model depending on needs.

**Danno** · 08-23-2023, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by Roxtar

Can't tell what the rear panel of the camper looks like (windows, trunk, pullout, etc) but is there any way you can mount something to that rear panel? I'm thinking a piece of steel angle or rectangular tubing that spans the whole camper width to spread out the load and would be beefy enough to hold a rack? You could weld a receiver to it, and then perhaps mount a vertical rack leaning forward to match the roof angle.
I know drilling holes in your camper is kinda nerve-racking.

There's a giant window on that back panel. Drilling holes is nerve-wracking and would void any warranty (gf bought it new). But it would also block the window view and possibly prevent it from fully opening. We did look at a slightly used model where somebody had attached tray racks to the back, and it really messed with the aesthetics as well, and didn't look like a great place to hold bikes to boot.

**El Chupacabra** · 08-23-2023, 09:33 AM

I wouldn't drill into a camper to mount a bike rack, because most (all) campers are built like garbage.

Didn't the Tab offer a roof rack though? And if so, does the manufacturer think it's strong enough for bikes?

I'd still just put them on the Sequoia. Danno, you have an offer of free racks above, go get them.

**El Chupacabra** · 08-24-2023, 07:57 AM

Alternative: put a front hitch on the Sequoia, carry your bikes there on a tray rack. Move rack to rear of Sequoia after dropping trailer.

https://www.etrailer.com/fmr-2004_To...tm?&Redirect=8

**Roxtar** · 08-24-2023, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Alternative: put a front hitch on the Sequoia, carry your bikes there on a tray rack. Move rack to rear of Sequoia after dropping trailer.

https://www.etrailer.com/fmr-2004_To...tm?&Redirect=8

Ding Ding Ding!
That sounds like the best idea yet.

**skaredshtles** · 08-24-2023, 01:34 PM

Won't bikes get in the way of your headlights with one of those front-mounted racks? That would suck...

**I've seen black diamonds!** · 08-24-2023, 01:44 PM

OK. I think it's time for me to buy one of these as my kid's bike no longer fits in trunk and he's riding regularly. It looks like all the hitches available for my car (2007 XC70) are class 2, 1 - 1/4". Any reason I shouldn't buy this with an add on?

https://1up-usa.com/product/1-25-2-quik-rack-single

Is there a way I can determine if I need and extender before ordering? Thanks

**El Chupacabra** · 08-24-2023, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by skaredshtles

Won't bikes get in the way of your headlights with one of those front-mounted racks? That would suck...

Possibly. Lots of variables - different vehicles, different hitches, different racks, different bikes.

**El Chupacabra** · 08-24-2023, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by I've seen black diamonds!

OK. I think it's time for me to buy one of these as my kid's bike no longer fits in trunk and he's riding regularly. It looks like all the hitches available for my car (2007 XC70) are class 2, 1 - 1/4". Any reason I shouldn't buy this with an add on?

https://1up-usa.com/product/1-25-2-quik-rack-single

Is there a way I can determine if I need and extender before ordering? Thanks

By extender do you mean an extension that places the bike rack farther away from the vehicle? If so, don't do that with a 1 1/4" hitch. They just aren't strong enough.

**grskier** · 08-24-2023, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by skaredshtles

Won't bikes get in the way of your headlights with one of those front-mounted racks? That would suck...

Where their going, the don't need headlights.

Or they can get put in the GOTOS and add all the extra lights on their rig.

**singlesline** · 08-25-2023, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by I've seen black diamonds!

OK. I think it's time for me to buy one of these as my kid's bike no longer fits in trunk and he's riding regularly. It looks like all the hitches available for my car (2007 XC70) are class 2, 1 - 1/4". Any reason I shouldn't buy this with an add on?

https://1up-usa.com/product/1-25-2-quik-rack-single

Is there a way I can determine if I need and extender before ordering? Thanks

You should buy the one that is for sale in another thread.

I doubt you need an extender unless you get a weird receiver.

**Danno** · 09-05-2023, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by Danno

Slight thread drift. My girlfriend's camper has no great way to carry bikes, the one that supposedly works best (we've installed it but not used it yet) is the jack-it rack: https://store.lci1.com/jack-it-doubl...-system-429756

We have an adapter to install it in the hitch (for when we get to camp but want to drive to a trailhead). Anyone used that rack by any chance? Any tips?

To close the loop on this... For all those saying "just put the bikes on the roof of your car, Danno", you were correct.

The rack wasn't 100% terrible, actually. It was really fiddly getting it adjusted for the bikes to sit on it and not hit each other or the rack itself, but once we got it set up correctly, it did kinda work ok. I never stopped being nervous about it but the bikes seemed secure and didn't seem to be rubbing or anything. That said, it was far from easy to use even once we got it sorted out, so a roof rack tray would be just as easy or easier, because all of the work is getting the bike up there but then there is no fiddling. PLUS, it was kind of a PITA to move the rack from the camper to the truck so we could drive to a trailhead, whereas the roof trays don't have that issue. So we're going to sell the rack and get trays. Conveniently, pegleg has 2 yakima trays that he's gonna sell me.

**HankScorpio** · 09-05-2023, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by I've seen black diamonds!

OK. I think it's time for me to buy one of these as my kid's bike no longer fits in trunk and he's riding regularly. It looks like all the hitches available for my car (2007 XC70) are class 2, 1 - 1/4". Any reason I shouldn't buy this with an add on?

https://1up-usa.com/product/1-25-2-quik-rack-single

Is there a way I can determine if I need and extender before ordering? Thanks

I bought the same rack back in the spring and just ordered the add on for my kid's bike. After a few months of use, it's a bomber rack and is very easy to use. All metal construction will last for years to come.

The only complaint is I'll need to buy an extra adapter kit for my fat bike.

**I've seen black diamonds!** · 09-07-2023, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by HankScorpio

I bought the same rack back in the spring and just ordered the add on for my kid's bike. After a few months of use, it's a bomber rack and is very easy to use. All metal construction will last for years to come.

The only complaint is I'll need to buy an extra adapter kit for my fat bike.

We've used it a few times so far. Terrific design. Well made. Easy to install.

**singlesline** · 09-08-2023, 12:12 AM

My only major complaint about the 1up is that the tilt mechanism is hard to use. You can buy a big heavy $$$ adapter to move the handle where it is easier to reach (or you can DIY an alternative), but even then it is kind of hard to operate and it is easy for it to bind up.

It is not hard for me to figure out how to give it a little jiggle or put some upwards/downwards pressure on the rack to get the lock to pop free, but my wife really struggles with the thing--combo of both strength and being less mechanically inclined and unable to see what is preventing it from moving. Luckily we can just store it slightly tilted back and she's still able to open the hatch without moving it.

They tried to fix that with the Equip D--haven't tried it myself but it looks like it would work better (but you lose out on folding for storage).

**I've seen black diamonds!** · 09-08-2023, 06:05 AM

^^^^ I just went ahead and bought the adapter/ handle extender because I knew my wife would complain.

**jackstraw** · 09-08-2023, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by singlesline

My only major complaint about the 1up is that the tilt mechanism is hard to use. You can buy a big heavy $$$ adapter to move the handle where it is easier to reach (or you can DIY an alternative), but even then it is kind of hard to operate and it is easy for it to bind up.

It is not hard for me to figure out how to give it a little jiggle or put some upwards/downwards pressure on the rack to get the lock to pop free, but my wife really struggles with the thing--combo of both strength and being less mechanically inclined and unable to see what is preventing it from moving. Luckily we can just store it slightly tilted back and she's still able to open the hatch without moving it.

They tried to fix that with the Equip D--haven't tried it myself but it looks like it would work better (but you lose out on folding for storage).

That's interesting because mine takes no jiggling to move. Pull the latch and it moves easily up and down. I wonder if a little file or grease strategically would ease that issue.
I considered the extender thing, but my wife doesn't touch the rack, so for me it's a forced nonbearing squat to put it up. [emoji16]

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