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# 1
Thule Hitching Post Pro Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches
This product has stood up very, very well. It is difficult to get four bikes on any rack but we have managed to do it a few times with wiggling here and there. I should note these are all adult-sized bikes, too, not little kid bikes. We have driven from SE Michigan to Madeline Island in Wisconsin and back with this hitch and had no problems whatsoever. That was a 12-hour trip each way. We also drove across the state of MI to the Muskegon area recently with all four bikes on the rack. Before any big trip, we check to make sure nothing is loose. So far, it has worked out really well for us. The best way to get them on is to kind of tilt them and wobble them back and forth, slowly rotating the frames back onto the rack. We are very happy with the product. It's true we cannot open the back of our RAV4 with the rack up but we've discovered it's not such a big deal to lower part of the rack (with built-in pin) if we really need to access the back of the car. We do take the rack off during winter as there doesn't seem much point in having it on during that season.
This is my first bike rack purchase ever and I am very pleased with my choice. I was contemplating between Thule or Yakima, I decided to go with this Thule because it holds 4 bikes and the value and price was just hard to beat. The quality and build of this rack is very nice. After installing it onto the hitch and inserting the anti-rattle bolt, this piece of hardware is going nowhere. It feels very durable and sturdy. Driving with the rack on without any bikes mounted, I did not even notice or feel that there was a rack mounted behind my vehicle. Very low noise and pleasant to drive with. With the bikes mounted on the rack, it holds each bike very tightly with its straps. Still, a pretty quiet ride with the bikes on. Not much of a rattle but you do notice and hear it slightly especially for rear passengers. As the driver, I barely noticed anything until I looked into my rear view mirror. I highly recommend this bike rack, it's easy to install and worth the price. It feels like a quality rack that can last for many years.
# 2
Swagman XTC2 Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
The Curt trailer hitch came well packaged. Instructions were easy to follow, even for someone not familiar with vehicle frames and car hitches. Installation did require some special tools (long breaker bar/torque wrench, large socket) for proper installation, which can be rented from a better auto parts store or borrowed from a friend. The hitch fit is excellent. The Swagman bike rack is easy to use and seems sturdy. It fits the 2012 Rav 4 very well and folds down out of the way to allow the door to swing open when not in use. Note-it is difficult to tell how far the rack extends out from the rear if the vertical support is not upright, so back up cautiously. I have made numerous short trips and a couple long distance trips with the rack loaded with adult size trail bikes and I have only good things to say. I would purchase both of these items again.
Nice product, again the video shows all the features accurately. The illustrations with the included instructions are pretty bad and instructions a little thin, but there's really not much to assembly. A few notes: Be sure to stagger the wheel holders or you will be stuck with one long bike and one short bike... Also there is a top and bottom hold-down hooks be sure to put them on in order. If you don't it will be obvious and easy to correct. One tricky part is is bolting thru the trailer hitch. The 2" square rack insert (can remove part of this insert and use on a smaller 1.25" hitch) has a sliding inner core with a threaded hole for the included bolt/lock washer. You may have to use a small screwdriver or pick to slide the core slightly so that the threaded hold aligns with the holes on the insert/hitch. Not sure but I think if you use a different bolt (like the J-pin 63201) that threads all the way thru the hitch, you would need to slide the core all the way out of the way and not use the threaded hole in the core. I ordered J-pin 63201 so I'll update when I try it out. Oh and if you want the locking J-pin order it at the same time or you will get dinged for an additional $5 shipping if ordered separately (i.e. <$100). I'm using this rack with the Draw-Tite 75235 2" hitch on a 2017 Rav4 Hybrid - works great!
# 3
Swagman XC2 Bike Rack for 2 bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
When together easily. Looks like what I wanted in a rack.
This is a tough and well designed bike rack. Things I like the most are the bikes get locked down very securely. The tire hoops prevent the wheels from moving at all (on freeway, over bumps, etc). There are no vibrations whosoever. You will forget you even have bikes on the back of your vehicle. One word of caution: be mindful of your hands when operating the sliding lock mechanisms. May want to wear work gloves to prevent pinching your fingers. They can also be a bit of a bear to break loose when you want to take your bikes down, especially if you are like me and lock your bikes down very tight. Pushing down on your bike when trying to loosen the slide locks seems to help though. Helps to have some muscle.
# 4
Swagman Trailhead Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting
Besides the awesome "Swagman" name, I feel confident towing two bikes off the back of my Rav4 through our upcoming North American Roadtrip. Installation was easy, however I would have liked if the rack folded down more in order to be able to open the back door of a 2005 Rav4 without removing the rack. Other than that, really like the product!
Absolutely satisfied with the products and the timely shipment. The trailer hitch from Curt fits perfectly, and the Swagman bike rack works as expected and is very simple to use. Selected 4 stars as the packaging was not very robust and was significantly damaged when received, however the products were not damaged. I've purchased from eTrailer.com previously with excellent service and would recommend them to others.
# 5
Swagman Chinook Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
Just put the Swagman Chinook on my 2016 RAV4. For a reasonable price, the quality seems very good. Assembly is easy, and it is much lighter weight than another brand I returned. The rear hatch opens with the bikes and rack tilted back. Since I most often use a single hybrid bike but occasionally like to also bring my mountain bike, I can set the Chinook up for one or two bikes, leaving three large pieces at home if I only need one bike. A platform bike rack like this keeps the bike wheels away from the car exhaust, and from scraping ground when going up driveways.
One year later I'm still delighted with this bike rack. I love that it is so versatile, allowing me to open the RAV4 back hatch using the tilt feature. The bicycle rides so securely and without wiggle at all. I also feel confident in the security of the locking features. This was one of the best purchases I've ever made! My only frustration is that I cannot use this bike rack when I am towing my new camper, which has zero to do with the product. Sad face.
# 6
Saris Freedom Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
Bike rack arrived fast, easy to assemble, looks sturdy. Won't be able to use it for a few weeks, but sure it will be fine.
What our customers are saying:
"I ordered a bike rack for my trailer hitch. It is a great product, very reasonably priced on April 10th. I installed it on my car on the 14th in time for the weekend. How can you go wrong?"