What brand/model bike rack are you using and why?

[upnorththree]

I should say "excluding Fiamma and Arvika" because we've already decided these two are not for us. We've gotten a front hitch and are now trying to decide on a rack. I've scrubbed the "bike rack" threads and people rarely even mention what brand they use on their front hitch. But we're spending some time on this because of the online reviews that talk about racks failing and bikes flying - which is really bad for the guy behind you, but at least he has a chance for an avoidance maneuver. Rack fails on your front hitch and things get very ugly very fast.

Bike shop guys all have their favorites (Saris, Rocky Mount) and then there's Thule and Yakima of course. So what are you using and why did you choose it?
Thanks in advance for your help.

[Overloaded]

kuat NV 2.0 w/ add on. This is front mounted. Never an issue in the 4500 miles thus far. Very well engineered, holds by tires not frames. Very quick and easy to load unload. Only one gripe about this platform rack is it sticks out four feet with four bikes.

[Daquenzer]

I have an international 28’. I rigged up a tongue rack, BUT it caused the tongue weight to go over 1000lbs. Now for your AS it might be different. The international RB is tongue heavy. Your Flying cloud would be different. I had it so that when I turned the bike rack went over the truck bed. Worked quite well, but when I got a tongue scale I was at 1100lbs. Not good. it was called a Stromberg. What it does is provide the receiver for a 2” bike rack. Then you need a bike rack that will be high enough to go over the bed when turning. We use the Saris 2 bike. Very nice rack. But with the bike rack and the receiver over the tanks you are looking at about 100lbs. So you really need to check the bike rack.

I looked at buying the Fiamma, but the reviews were mixed. Plus it’s not very sturdy. We have E-bikes and with batteries they weigh about 44 lbs a piece. The Fiamma just isn’t that sturdy.

I really liked our first setup. So if it would work for your tongue weight it was nic

Thus the only way to do this in our situation and what I’m doing this week is putting a front hitch receiver on the pickup (37lbs). I found one or $140. And it bolts on. I’m getting mine installed because I can’t get underneath very easy. But it really doesn’t look that hard to bolt on.

I have attached a picture of our first step up. Which was still my first choice.

[upnorththree]

Originally Posted by Overloaded

kuat NV 2.0 w/ add on.

Kuat! That's a new one, thanks for the lead. Looks interesting. It looks like there is an attachment on the cross bar of the outer bike. Am I looking at it right?

[upnorththree]

Originally Posted by Daquenzer

I have an international 28’. I rigged up a tongue rack, BUT it caused the tongue weight to go over 1000lbs. Now for your AS it might be different. The international RB is tongue heavy. Your Flying cloud would be different. I had it so that when I turned the bike rack went over the truck bed. Worked quite well, but when I got a tongue scale I was at 1100lbs. Not good. it was called a Stromberg. What it does is provide the receiver for a 2” bike rack. Then you need a bike rack that will be high enough to go over the bed when turning. We use the Saris 2 bike. Very nice rack. But with the bike rack and the receiver over the tanks you are looking at about 100lbs. So you really need to check the bike rack.

I have attached a picture of our first step up. Which was still my first choice.

We liked that choice better too but abandoned it because of tongue weight, our Flying Cloud is 837 lbs. Rack + bikes = not enough margin (for me). I think it does look a lot better than bikes on the front, though. And you don't have the "bottoming out" potential.

[Overloaded]

Originally Posted by upnorththree

Kuat! That's a new one, thanks for the lead. Looks interesting. It looks like there is an attachment on the cross bar of the outer bike. Am I looking at it right?

I believe you are looking at the trail doc attachment. It holds your bike off the ground, by the seat post, so you can make repairs or adjustments. Unit is not cheap but is very high quality.

[Kevin245]

After varying degrees of success with Yakima and Thule I purchased a 1Up USA rack three years ago. One of the best designed and functional racks around for us.

https://1upusa.com/

[glcmranger]

Thule Easyfold. The rack locks to the receiver as well as the bikes -- THEFT PROOF!

[joshjack]

Another vote for Kuat! I’ve had several racks and it’s well made a me extremely light.

[Craig0220]

One more vote for the Kuat NV... had quite a few different ones over the years and nothing has worked better for me. Fabricated a mount that puts the bikes over the propane tanks and used the main part of the kuat with it. Works great with the light tongue weight on my 23fb

[Overloaded]

Originally Posted by Craig0220

One more vote for the Kuat NV... had quite a few different ones over the years and nothing has worked better for me. Fabricated a mount that puts the bikes over the propane tanks and used the main part of the kuat with it. Works great with the light tongue weight on my 23fb

nice work

[Overloaded]

Here is a shot of our setup.

[malinois38]

Thule Sweden 4 bike rack. I also have a tongue heavy 28' International. Put this rack on the front of my Tundra and have bee pleased after 10,000 miles.

[upnorththree]

Originally Posted by Overloaded

I believe you are looking at the trail doc attachment. It holds your bike off the ground, by the seat post, so you can make repairs or adjustments. Unit is not cheap but is very high quality.

Yes, Trail Doc. Duh, I get it now. Thanks for explaining.

[upnorththree]

Originally Posted by Kevin245

After varying degrees of success with Yakima and Thule I purchased a 1Up USA rack three years ago. One of the best designed and functional racks around for us.

Kevin, not to send you off on a long essay assignment, but what problems have you had with Yakima and Thule? I have been leaning toward the Thule T2 Classic and Popeye likes the Yakima HoldUp. These are two we can look at in a shop, so we have a little more confidence than you get with a picture on the internet. Does 1Up only sell on the internet? Although Platteville could make a nice mid-week excursion, if they have a showroom...

[upnorththree]

Originally Posted by glcmranger

Thule Easyfold. The rack locks to the receiver as well as the bikes -- THEFT PROOF!

I like the way this one folds up.

I assume when you get to your destination, you lock rack and bikes to the trailer?

[upnorththree]

Originally Posted by malinois38

Thule Sweden 4 bike rack. I also have a tongue heavy 28' International. Put this rack on the front of my Tundra and have been pleased after 10,000 miles.

I can't find this one on the internet. They have Parkway 4, Vertex 4, Apex 4. I guess hanging racks are more stable than we thought, maybe we should consider those as well. Great pic! Thank you!

[malinois38]

It is now called the Vertex 4.

[trumpetguy]

I have use a two bike Swagman with a front mount for three years and over 10,000 miles with no issues other than some headlight blockage, but we don't normally travel at night.

[Overloaded]

eTrailer.com has lots of real world pics and videos of most of the racks they sell. good source of info. I had to verify that rack would clear front bumper with no issues. They pulled hitch out of box put it together and measured all sorts of things for me.