Hitch Mounted Bike Rack?

Anyone use one of these?

I am looking at a used Thule T2 Pro XT. I am wondering if the tailgate can be opened when this rack is in the tilted position.

Other thoughts on hitch racks versus other modes? I am looking to spend many weeks on the road, sleeping in the bed, and carrying gear there and in the AC, so I'd like to put the mtn bike on a rack for more room.

 

This is a non stop research/implementation point for me. Couple of questions: on or off road?
Where is your kitchen?

 

I’ve got an older version of this if you want to borrow it? It’s a 2 bike rack
https://yakima.com/products/doubledown-4

 

I went through a slew of racks, and ended up finding a takeoff 1up at the local Winnebago dealership. Supposedly Winnebago has started to offer them as an add on, but most of their clientele don’t realize how skookum they are, so they sell them back at cost. So you can then swoop in and buy them at cost as well! It’s the last rack I’ll ever buy, but it certainly is more expensive if you can’t find one at the rv spot.

 

Both on and off road but nothing too gnarly off road. My kitchen is backpack style: small gas canister stove and have a cooler that will be in the cab. My gear is oriented towards backpacking/minimalist but will sleep in the bed of the truck often so I dont want to keep the bike there.

 

Thanks for the offer but I want a hitch mount. Gotta keep my precious safe!

 

I thought the 1up was the end all and be all but some reviews make the Thule sound pretty good at a much lower price. Plus I don't see them used often and I am going for a used purchase.

 

That one is a hitch mount, and it folds down to open the tail gate too

 

Whoops, I meant a rack that supports from below the bike. Seems more secure to me. (?)

 

Gotcha, so you can then lock them, or just traveling it keeps them tighter?

 

I want to be able to lock them up and while traveling on the highway, I want them to be secure. I appreciate the offer.

-Looking to get to Sedona for hiking, biking, and hunting in Feb. The rack will help make it all easier.

 

I have a 1up rack and am really happy with it. They have a swing out called the rack attach that is about $300 extra. The rack itself hold the bikes very well even when I take it off road and go bombing down dirt roads.

 

I’ve used the Kuat NV and Thule T2. They are really solid and great for carrying bikes but the issue is that the plastic wheel trays come into contact with the tailgate when lowered. For both I was able to trim away part of the plastic wheel tray to clear the tailgate. The T2 Pro wheel trays looks bigger and could also hit the tailgate when dropped.

A store like REI stocks the T2 Pro and might let you test it on your truck before buying.

I ended up going with Yakima crossbars across the bed. This lets me also tow my popup camper and bring bikes for the kids.

 

The swing out seems like a great idea but not really sure that I would need it. Do you have that accessory? Is it actually useful?

 

I assume you are talking about your 2016 Tundra with the rack hitting the tailgate? Not sure if a 1st gen would be different.

 

I no longer have a Kuat NV 2 bike rack but it is the only hitch rack I have experience with. When it was tilted and the bike is in the outside tray the tailgate cleared and was able to be lowered without issue.

 

The Kuat rack is on the top of my wish list. Full pivot so you can put down the tailgate. https://www.kuatracks.com/category/bike

 

I missed the first gen part but it could still be an issue. The distance between the hitch and the lowered tailgate is the issue. Platform racks are expensive so IMO, best to test first. (Maybe there’s a member near you who would let you test fit their rack?)

 

I am checking out a used one today so I will see whats what. Thanks.

 

One thing to think about if not doing a swing is what will you do behind your truck. For us there is cooking, and pulling things like our kitchen and other supplies in an out. Having a non swing would hinder this considerably

 

I love this set up.

 

The reason I asked on or off road is because with the length of our trucks, and having the Rigd and 1Up rack severely hurt departure angle. So this year I’m going to try the Wilco swing and 1Up since the Wilco is shorter and angles up from the hitch.

 

Also @robabeatle you could always consider a front hitch and rock the bikes in front of the truck which would completely free up any obstruction from a bike rack in the rear of the vehicle.

 

I don’t have the swing out, but plan to buy one soon. Right now I have to take off the bikes, then tilt the rack down, which is a it of a pain, but not too bad. Swing out would easily allow you to drop the tailgate and access anything you need inside without pulling the bikes off.

 

Well I pulled the trigger after talking the seller down a smidge. Thanks for all the help.

 

Update us on how it works out. With my sleeping platform and stuff in the shell now, I’m afraid I’m gonna have to go this route at some point. It just absolutely blows my mind how expensive they are though.

 

I have a hitch mounted 5 bike rack from Curt. It broke before I finished one 1,600 mile vacation trip. All highway driving. One adult bike, one adolescent bike and two child bikes.

It's "designed" to carry 2 full-size bikes and 3 child bikes. The child bikes are so difficult to mount on it that I just throw them in the back of the truck now.

I would not recommended it to anyone.

 

These guys sponsor our local trails.

 

I have the KUAT NV base with the pivot swing arm. best of both world. highly recommended.
you can lower the tailgate all the way and stand in front of tailgate for coffee while your bikes are on the side.

I used to only have the NV without the pivot arm and after a while it gets old climbing over the rack to access inside of bed. If you gonna live in your truck, you gotta get the pivot arm.

 

My point exactly ^