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# 1
Thule Hitching Post Pro Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches
built solid, easy to install .just received bike rack have not used yet.
Super easy to order. Arrived in a few days. Installed in 10 minutes. Appreciate the email updates.
# 2
Swagman XC2 Bike Rack for 2 bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
We are happy with our Swagman XC 2-Bike Rack; it has performed above average on highways and dirt roads and is a breeze to attach to our truck, thank you for a great product.
It works great! Easy, quick, you know. One needs to screw in the hitch bolt, for some reason, before latching it. Other than that, it makes going bike riding way easier.
# 3
Softride Shuttle Pad Tailgate Pad for Full-Size Trucks - Up to 6 Bikes - 61" Wide
Fit great. can wait to tested in my next trip. came little late, but hope will work for us.
The product review/installation video helped me make my selection. I selected the full size pad for 2001 Silverado 1500. Installs easily, fits nicely, flap in pad is positioned for easy access to tailgate latch.
# 4
Inno Velo Gripper Bike Rack for Truck Beds - Clamp On
Using the Grippers for carrying 2 ebikes, weighing 55 & 75 lbs. I know this is above the rated bike weights but so far they have performed well. My short bed keeps the 75# bike pretty well locked in front to back so that may help.
# 5
Hollywood Racks Truck Bed Bike Carrier - Fork Mount - Bolt On
These racks were just as advertised. I mounted them on a 2x4 and then clamped that into the front of my bed. They worked great. The thing about these racks is that they are so versatile. They could be used in any number of ways. You just have to give it some thought. And whatever you come up with, you haven't spent a fortune either.
The Hollywood Racks Truck Bed Bike Carrier - Fork Mount - Bolt On, is just what I was looking for to be able to build a bike rack for carrying one of my bikes on my motorcycle. It was easy to mount and it holds my bike in place while riding on bumpy dirt roads, city streets, highways and even when I hit some twisty country roads. It's really easy to load and unload my bike when I get to where I want to ride. I use a velcro strap around the quick-release and the fork arm as an added safety as well as a couple tie-downs from my bike handlebars to my motorcycle passenger pegs to help distribute the weight on my rack. If you want to build your own DIY bike rack I totally recommend the Hollywood Racks Truck Bed Bike Carrier - Fork Mount - Bolt On.
# 6
Swagman XTC2 Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
First-time rack buyer / owner / installer. The rack arrived in a timely fashion, maybe a day or 2 ahead of schedule. It was well packaged. I’m LOVING this bike rack. It was easy to put together and to mount on my new Honda Passport. Thus far, no squeaks in my 2” receiver. Hardest part of initial set-up is figuring out the best way to position two bikes. Trial & error and some patience. The directions weren’t clear as to where the 2 left-over screws went. I found the answer in another review and have posted a pic in case others have the same problem (photo with pen pointing at screw). These screws go in the underneath side of both of the folding arms. They appear to keep the wheel wells from sliding off in case in you drive with an empty, un-folded rack, and forgot to tighten down the wheel wells. The folding arm push / pull pins can be difficult at times. I coated the tips with some lube. That and a little jiggling seems to solve that issue. I guess it’s better for the pins to be snug vs popping right out. I added a small Master lock to the hitch pin (in lieu of the provided cotter pin) as a theft deterrent. I read that a 3/16 shackle lock will fit into the bike clamp down arms to also act as a deterrent. I had an old 3/16 lock that did snugly fit and appeared to be locked. HOWEVER, I yanked on the lock and it came open as there isn’t quite enough clearance for the shackle to lock. I discovered that longer 3/16 shackle locks are hard to find. Have attached a photo of the lock that actually fits and works (Ace Hardware). One lock on the upper clamp down arm will secure both arms as the lower arm can’t be removed without removing the upper arm. The clamp down arms appear to be coated to prevent damage to your bike. I’ve tried a simple rag and ultimately settled on pool noodle pieces as a precautionary measure. I CAN NOT open my tailgate (regardless of whether or not the rack is fold up and in the bike carry position). If that’s a concern for you, then spring for the more costly titling version. My back-up camera still functions.
The Swagman XTC-2 platform bike carrier arrived very quickly from etrailer and in good shape, the actual carrier box is inside another shipper box, which I'm sure helped with its condition. Assembly was relatively quick and painless, even though the instructions could be a little more thorough. Installing the carrier on the back of our Jeep Patriot also was quick, it helps to have an extra ratchet & 3/4" socket laying around for just this purpose. Installing the bikes takes a little patience and trial and error the first time you try and put them on the carrier. It's easy enough to adjust the wheel holders to fit the wheelbase of your bikes, but for us at least, the challenge was trying to swing the vertical support bar up into position after putting on the first bike (closest to the Jeep). We couldn't angle the bike enough toward the Jeep to have the bar clear the bike. We learned that the easiest way to secure the first bike was to remove the ratcheting frame hooks altogether, put the bike in the carrier, swing up the vertical support bar, put in the pin, and then slide one of the frame hooks down on the bar. The outside bike is much easier because you can set the bike in the carrier at whatever angle you need, not being limited by the back of the vehicle. One thing we did to protect the bike frames was to use some foam pipe insulation as cushion between the frame hook and the frame (see pictures). Once you get a system for installing the bikes, it is very quick to load/unload them. The rack seems to be well made and doesn't wiggle excessively when traveling. All in all a good product for a good price, would definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a platform bike carrier.
# 7
Thule GateMate Pro Tailgate Pad for Full-Size Trucks - Up to 7 Bikes - 53" Wide
I only gave this 3 stars because the straps that fasten the bike to the pad is to long to use on a tube for a normal road bike. The straps are 16 inches long and it wraps around my bikes twice leaving no room to fasten the strap together. I thought this seemed strange so I called etrailer customer service which gave me Thule service number and they seem to understand the issue but had the only solution of using a zip tie. It seems the straps work for a Mountain bike but not for smaller tubed bikes. Just keep this in mind when ordering. I also think you will need to secure the back of the bike if you are only hauling 1 or 2 so the not flop around.
It has 7 different areas to strap bicycles down but there is definitely not room to strap 7 bikes down from what I can tell. The straps were a little tricky to feed under the tailgate and pull up at the same time with only one person. Overall it works pretty well but it appears to only have enough room for 4 MTN bikes.
# 8
Thule GateMate Pro Tailgate Pad for Full-Size Trucks - Up to 8 Bikes - 60" Wide
I only gave this 3 stars because the straps that fasten the bike to the pad is to long to use on a tube for a normal road bike. The straps are 16 inches long and it wraps around my bikes twice leaving no room to fasten the strap together. I thought this seemed strange so I called etrailer customer service which gave me Thule service number and they seem to understand the issue but had the only solution of using a zip tie. It seems the straps work for a Mountain bike but not for smaller tubed bikes. Just keep this in mind when ordering. I also think you will need to secure the back of the bike if you are only hauling 1 or 2 so the not flop around.
etrailer has been great in the past and I will order from them again. This experience was mediocre because they advertised free 3 day shipping through a google search for this product. After paying I was notified that it would take longer. I needed the gate mate for a weekend trip and could have gotten it through [online vendor] for the same price, quicker. Not a big deal, just be aware.
# 9
Curt Clamp-On Bike Rack for 3 Bikes - 2" Ball Mounts
I bought this due to decent reviews. Shipping was rather quick, within 4 days of ordering. Loading all 3 bikes was very tight with two adult bikes and one child bike, but I made it work. As another person posted, the rack is pretty difficult to push down and secure. It takes a lot of force I don't think my wife could have done it. The first time when I tested installing, when I tried to release the rack, it released hard and hit my knuckles. The second time, the spring loaded pin broke (pictures attached) and, once again, my knuckles got hit. Caution really needs to be taken if you have this product. I am giving two stars for this due to the safety concern and the plastic handle breaking. I will be returning for a refund.
The only thing I do not like is when you use the handle to take it off. It springs and hits your hand ever single time. Other then that it is nice.
# 10
Curt Bike Rack for 5 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Tilting
It was obvious that we received a product that was returned by someone else when the box was overly taped shut, a support collar was broken, and most of the pieces were out of their ripped plastic bags. However, it was a great price to hold 5, 26" and/or 27" Trek bikes. I used a piece of the broken collar and went ahead and assembled the rack. Due to the weight of the 5 bikes it did not wobble that much when driving, as one of the bike tires was up against my car. I can only imagine that if we received an untampered product that this review would have been 5 stars. The picture is a little hard to see, but there are 5 Trek bikes on the rack on my 2020 Toyota Seinna.
We received a damaged box, damaged items, no instructions, the nuts and bolts are completely stripped and not inside a bag. This was obviously used, returned, not checked for quality and sent out. We are extremely upset.
What our customers are saying:
"Sent out an e-mail to you earlier this week asking which hitch woudld be the best choice for installing on a 2000 Venture van for hauling a bike rack with two bikes. You suggested the one that would be easiest to install..received in a matter of days..installation went great ..very well thought out instructions. Everything went smooothly and the hitch is up nice and snug..doesn't stick out..looks great."