Is this right for you? Product Expert Matthew S says:
Padded frame hooks on this platform-style rack adjust independently to hold 2 bikes of different sizes by the top tubes. Adjustable wheel hoops accommodate most bike lengths. Rack tilts down for easy access to cargo area and folds up for storage.
Features:
Specs:
Note: Manufacturer recommends the use of a stabilizing strap (18050 - sold separately) when using this rack with a 1-1/4" hitch.
This Curt bike rack makes it easy to carry 2 bikes on the back of your vehicle. The platform-style rack is easier to load than a hanging rack because you don't have to lift your bikes nearly as high to get them into place. Ratcheting hooks and wheel hoops accommodate 2 bikes of most shapes and sizes. The entire rack tilts down for easy access to your cargo area, even while the bikes are loaded. And you can choose between 2 different ways to fold the rack up for storage on your vehicle when it's not in use.
Each center mast has 2 ratcheting hooks that move up and down independently of one another. This allows you to carry up to 2 bikes of different heights or with different frame styles. The hooks firmly grip your bikes by the top tubes, and they are cushioned to protect your bike frames from scratches and scuffs. Once you slide the hooks into position, just lock them in place.
Sturdy, adjustable wheel hoops let you carry bikes of different lengths. Use the built-in knobs to loosen the hoops. Then slide the hoops to the desired position along the platform base and tighten them into place.
The entire rack can be tilted down - away from your vehicle - so that you can easily access your rear cargo area, even when your bikes are loaded. Just pull the pin at the base of the rack to tilt it down.
There are 2 ways that you can fold up the rack to store it on your vehicle when it's not in use. Option 1 lets you fold the cradle arms up towards the upright mast. Simply remove the pins and fold up the arms. Then replace the pins to secure the arms in the upright position. Option 2 lets you fold the rack up against the rear of your vehicle. First, lower the center mast by removing its pin and clip at the base and then fold the mast down forward. Then remove the pins from the base of the rack and fold up the carrier.
This rack comes with an anti-rattle hitch pin. The threaded pin holds the bike rack in your hitch, and it reduces noise and movement of the rack inside your hitch. An adapter sleeve is included as well, which allows the rack to fit either a 1-1/4" or a 2" hitch receiver. Because this bike rack has a threaded shank, it is not compatible with standard hitch locks.
Average Customer Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (277 Customer Reviews)
Padded frame hooks on this platform-style rack adjust independently to hold 2 bikes of different sizes by the top tubes. Adjustable wheel hoops accommodate most bike lengths. Rack tilts down for easy access to cargo area and folds up for storage.The rack carries the bicycle safely and securely, as advertised. However if some other method had been provided instead of pins that must be removed and reinserted to tilt the rack or fold the rack, I would have given the rack a higher rating. The pins work ok, but this feature could have been more user friendly.
Also, I was concerned that I could carry my Bike Friday NWT, a bike with a very low crossbar and 20-inch wheels. I submitted the question of fit to etrailer and received a prompt assurance the the rack would work. It does, however the hoops that capture the wheels allow the wheels to settle deeper than if the bike had larger wheel (26" or more). My bike has fenders and I am planning to trim about an inch or so from the rear end of the front fender so that it doesn't hit the hoop.
The technical team at etrailer are excellent. I have especially valued their installation videos when purchasing other products. etrailer gets the full 5 stars.
Jenny N - 03/09/2022After a lot of research, I purchased this for my 2018 Jeep JL. According to what I read, it would fit my vehicle. I got it assembled and on the hitch. I really liked it. Loaded bikes, perfect. Then came the bad news. I tilted out the bikes to access the back end. It doesn't work. The lower part of the rack interferes with the spare tire and you can only open it a few inches. That was the whole reason I purchased this unit. So now I am stuck with a rack that I will have to completely remove each time I need to access the back end.
Jenny N - 03/09/2022
Jenny N - 03/09/2022Not perfect, but still the pick of the litter among affordable platform racks.
Pros: sturdy, easy to assemble and use, two storage modes, mostly thick steel with minimal plastic, good depth (works well with my '05 Buick Lacrosse, with 1-1/4" hitch recessed about 6" behind bumper face), built in keyed locks. Quite solid
Cons: barely fits tall bike, sloppy fabrication, cheap hardware; should reverse direction of short and long locking arms so taller, heavier bike goes inboard, anti-rattle hitch pin does not have a lock, so you have to buy one for $XX more.
My story: assembly failed at the first step because the 1/2-20 shank bolt was mis-threaded such that it would not accept the nut. I was able to make it work by running a rethreading die over the bolt, removing a fair amount of metal. The good folks at etrailer sent me a replacement bolt, but I had to invest $3 in a new Nyloc nut. The black finish on the hardware (nuts, bolts, pins) is so thin it might as well have been applied with a Sharpie. The rack itself is nicely powder-coated.
The bends and hole punching in the metal are sloppy. The rack lists to starboard, and the wheel support arms/hoops droop on the right side. It's just a cosmetic issue, but Curt should be embarrassed.
I have a very tall bike (27" frame),and it barely fits. That said, it does fit, at the highest stop. If the mast were a few inches taller, it would be great. As it is, I have to finagle and slightly force the bike into place. I will probably remove the stop screw for the locking arm and just remove it entirely to load the bike.
Finally, when you unpin the mast to move it into operational position from storage position, it will fall hard onto the trunk deck if you don't hold it. There needs to be a stop so the mast cannot rotate past vertical and damage the car.
Overall, good solid rack, but not all it should be in design or execution.
Easy to put together, instructions were very clear. I have not yet loaded my bikes and taken a drive but I don’t see any issues. When folded up it sticks out farther then I expected. It also sets off my backup alarm when I put the car in reverse.
I installed this rack on a 2015 BMW X3 with a Curt 2" receiver. The installation went OK except that the spring retaining clips in several cases need to opened with a screwdriver vs by hand. Here are some of my comments. First is the retaining bolt was very difficult to install with the wrench provided (see Photo) you can not turn the bolt very far with any wrench. I used a driver and a 19mm socket. I then bought one to have in the car. Second, our bikes have different cross bar heights, so it was not possible to put the larger bike on the inside closest to the vehicle (see Photo). The clip the holds the bikes in place could not go down enough with the larger bike on the inside so switching them solved that issue. Third the draw bar portion does not have a stop to help line up the holes for the retaining bolt. This was solved by putting orange tape on the bar to help with alignment.
A good feature is that with the bike retaining clips all the way down the back hatch can be opened without any adjustment to the rack. Also the rack did not impact the foot opening switch for the back hatch. The rack did very well in our first test drive.
Steve T - 07/22/2019All the parts arrived and it was easy to assemble as directed. Sadly, I can only carry one e-bike at a time because of weight. It has plenty of room for the hubs on the ebikes, which my other rack did not. Delivered earlier than advertised! One negative is that inside the instructions, it says that use with 1 1/4” receiver required support straps to maintain the warranty. I do not remember reading that in the description, nor was there advertising for the straps along with the rack. I’m not sure I can use straps with my Mazda because of the air deflector at the top of the deck lid.
Works great. Only reccomendation is to manufacturer. Hitch pin is threaded so a third party lock has to be threaded or I will have to drill out threads
This bike rack is perfect for carrying my bikes to the bike trail it's very easy to put the bike on and off and very sturdy it doesn't rattle or shake much on bumpy road. and thanks to Etrailer quick shipping I got the bike rack within 3 days of purchased and it's free shipping I love this bike rack great product.
Sonny C - 04/26/2020Easy assembly and excellent design. Looks like this will be perfect for our needs. One suggestion tho....you could add a handle to the frame for easier carry. Just a thought. :)
Ken - 11/11/2022
Well made bike rack! Strong and durable, but rather heavy. Supports the bikes very well, is nicely stable and quiet. Recommended. Installed on my 2018 Subaru Outback.
After researching, we decided on this bike rack. It was very easy to install and works great. There is no rattling while driving and it's easy to put down to get into the trunk. I highly recommend it.
1-1/4" sways a lot when loaded with bikes, I would recommend a hitch tightener. otherwise, easy assembly, easy load and unload
George, The Curt receiver bike rack is great! Well built, easy to set up and I can use between 3 vehicles with the 1 1/4” and 2 inch receiver flexibility! I have other Curt products and when looking for whatever I’m looking for, I always hope Curt builds it! Thank you!
Just happy to finally have the rack I wanted. Assembly and hookup were a breeze and the first use went without issue. Even with the lock, there is some minimal sway, but nothing concerning. Great rack for both our bikes. The tilt away from the Forresters hatch is perfect.
Jeff C - 08/16/2022Great affordable bike rack! I bought this and within 2 weeks of purchase drove it 1000 miles, with a bike on it, to my new home. I’ve used it a lot in the past year and usually keep it connected to my car even when I’m not using it. This rack easily handles 2 big bikes and it doesn’t rattle that much when your driving.
My only complaint is the locking mechanism doesn’t work very well. If you push down hard on the button you can slide the locking bars up and down even when it’s locked. This is easily remedied by just using your regular bike chain/lock to help secure your bike to the rack. Other than that, it is a fantastic product and good value for the price.
Bike carrier mounts bikes very high at the rear of the vehicle so no concerns about bottoming out. Ease to use and bikes are very secure on the rack. I purchased the extra lock for the trailer hitch and everything if functioning properly.
Happy it arrived earlier than expected. Assembly was easy. I installed just the inside platform since I only have one bike. Took bike on 250-mile drive to the Anthills trail in Houston, TX and had no issues. Over the engine and road noise, I could occasionally hear the rack creaking as it bounced up and down on rough roads.
I'm using the Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4" along with the Curt Cam Buckle Stabilizing Strap for Hitch-Mounted Accessories - 61" x 1".
The stabilizing strap does provide peace of mind. I'll probably get something to strap the wheels to the wheel hoops in the near future as an extra precaution.
Carries my E bike very nicely easy to mount I have the inch and a quarter hitch and that’s plenty
Love the bike rack
Everything is very secure and our bikes remain in great condition
However, we both have Towney style bikes and we did have to go to our local bike shop and purchase a bar so that the rack would carry them
Have used this many times over the last few months. Easy to attach to hitch and remove. No rattling while driving. Bikes can be mounted and dismounted easily. Keys sometimes stick in the lock-only negative I can think of.
Works well, nice and solid. Easy to load and secure the bikes. Way better than a hanging style rack!
I'm impressed so far. I like the engineering that went into this bike rack.
You were actually thinking hard about the average end user.
Great bike rack! Love it and love that different size bikes can easily be used with this. My wife
s back has a 3-4 inch difference than mine and her frame is much lower. The fact that the height adjustment as well as the wheel base adjustment can be different for both bikes on one rack is well worth it.
Highly recommend!
I like the bike rack. The tire slots don't always stay tight and the rack is heavy. Also the locks come out of the sliding arms. Otherwise once I worked out he kinks the rack works great.
Easy to assemble, looking forward to use it!
Manfred R - 03/03/2022
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