Bike Rack

Looking for a hitch mount bike rack that has a fold down - or side folding - feature that still allows the tailgate to drop flat.

I have tried a couple different makes/models, and they all hit the tailgate.

Thanks!

 

How many bikes does it need to fit?

 

I have this one. Used it on my Siennas and two tundras. No issues ever. I think I bought it 15 years ago for 3 bills on Amazon. Good luck. D

 

This one drops out of the way:
https://rockymounts.com/products/guiderail-2.html

And the one called After Party swings out of the way.

 

Two, with an option for more would be ideal

Thank you to everyone for the suggestions!

 

If you’re carrying more than 2 I would get a vertical rack. I had a Thule xtr pro with 4. There is way too much bounce, with the bikes sticking that far out. Especially if you end up putting them on the back of a trailer. I switch to the Thule revert. The tailgate doesn’t quite open. But if I add the Thule extender it does. I’m planning on actually adding the gen y torsion which will make it clear for sure. Plus should help smooth out the bumps a bit for the bikes.

 

I would need to try it with my truck to see if the tailgate would hit when dropped, but I have a Hollywood Destination 4 bike hitch mounted rack and absolutely love it. I use it mostly with my SUV with a Yakima BackSwing. If there is a certain rack you like but don’t have the clearance for the BackSwing may be a solution.

 

I have the velocirax bike rack and they make a drop down adaptor to clear trucks tailgates....



https://www.velocirax.com/products/hitch-receiver-adaptor

 

I have the 1-Up Equip-D. It's great!
https://1up-usa.com/product/equipd

 

Two bikes, and I think something like the 1-UP that @kamaaina1 mentioned would be great. More than two, and I'd definitely go with a vertical rack like @Ipaddick said - he makes a good point. Bikes are much bigger and heavier than they used to be (comparing to hard-tails from the late 90's and 2000's). That makes for some serious whip and wobble at the receiver hitch.

We also use a Velocirax vertical carrier like @R1Style_ so we can tote the kids' bikes as well. The Velocirax is very stout with great features like a multi-position shock-assisted fold down. One of the best features is the anti-wobble device built in to the hitch tube; you turn a bolt and it spreads a wedge in the receiver to eliminate wobble and keep your bikes from flopping around. The only downsides are the carrier itself is bulky and heavy. I can mount the hitch to the vehicle by myself, but my wife and my oldest can't.

 

Thule Apex XT swing serves me well. You can get by with a standard fold down hitch mount rack on a pickup but the two sticking points are it can be bit or miss
To get one that clears the tailgate and on most inexpensive hanging racks you can't easily tilt it to access the hatch once the bikes are on. Hitch extensions can be used but you have to look at your manufacturer to make sure they rate their rack to work with one. Some say no as the extra length you put the bikes to the rear can over stress the weight carrying capability and introduce too much wobbling.

Velocirax looks like good stuff but a swing away horizontal hanging rack from Thule or Yakima should do the job nicely for less money if you're OK with the extra length. I get no to minimal sway with 3 bikes on a 4 bike carrier.

Thule swing model away model was a reasonably priced option that gives guaranteed full tailgate range of motion and bed access with bikes loaded. Self contained with necessary accessories built in, no hitch extension, no extra hitch lock or bike lock required. Yakima makes a comparable side swinging hanging rack that's also highly rated.

 

Could you post of pic with that gen-y torsion hitch please?

 

I bought the 1up HD all aluminum tray rack. Tail gate clears no problem. Each tray holds 100 lbs.

 

I went simple and plain but added a curt led brake like kit and some reflective tape for visibility. Less than $250 all in. Can even open tailgate with 1 bike in the rear position.

 

I realize you’re asking about hitch racks. I have been down this rabbit hole. Ended up adding fork mounts to my front bed rail, and then put them on my bed cover.
First week I had the truck I hit the tailgate button in my pocket on accident and it opened into my hitch rack putting a dent in the tailgate.

Fork mounts have their own issues, but these work great for me.

 

Hollywood bike rack

 

I used this + with the extension, no issues and worked great, especially considering it's less expensive than a lot of other options.

 

I don’t have it yet. I have their normal hitch for towing my horse trailer, and does what’s advertised. Towing it is much smoother, and notice less proposing. they make one that’s made for cargo, and I posted a link.

I forgot to add, with all the weight on a platform rack, there was damage to my bike. And that was with 2 adult hard tails and 2 kids 20” bikes. Was minor, but enough where I needed a new a saddle on my bike. Also the Thule revert you can really tighten down the hitch tight to minimize slack at the hitch. Much better than their xtr pro. I can only compare Thule brands as that is what I typically use since I get a good deal on them.

https://genyhitch.com/product/the-v...PYrANpSRkxbx0zE3d4lmcNYgDpl47Ybp-I2SBjNquQH9s

 

please post about it when you have it. I’m quite curious about that product.

 

I really like that 1Up style.

 

What would you all use for heavier Battery pack bikes ?? my Troxus weight 85 lbs or so and with it's 4" wide tires doesn't look to fit in things other then hitch mount motorcyle style mounts....

appreciate any suggestions

 

The one I posted above is rated for 200 lbs and will fit tires up to 5". It is a Young hitch mount rack.

 

You could also get a hitch extender. I had one, they work well. It puts the rack out far enough that when dropped down you can lower the tailgate and it won't make contact. The one linked below allows you to tighten it up with a bolt so it doesn't wobble. I just didn't care for how far back it made the rack stick out.

$22 Nilight Trailer Hitch Extender 7" Extension Length Fits for 2" Receiver Tube with 5/8" Stainless Steel Bolt Flange Nut and Clip 3500 lbs GTW Matte Black

https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Extender-Extension-Receiver-Stainless/dp/B0BLH4VCH1?gQT=1&th=1

 

Another 1up rack owner here. It's a little overpriced imo, but what isn't when it comes to bikes. I had a rocky mounts swing out previously and would not recommend. They are heavy, which makes taking it on and off a pain. That and the swing thing is awkward to use.

I'd recommend against a hitch extender unless it's one that can be tightened in place. Otherwise you're introducing a loose connection and a whole lot of wobbling rack action.

 

I have 1up racks too! They have the wider tire kits for fat tires.

My preference is to carry the bikes on the sides of our rack rather than on the back. I had my tires melted in the past from exhaust. I know that this wouldn’t happen today but that is just me.

 

A hitch extender is an inexpensive way to make a rack not designed to easily work with a pickup tailgate do so but my preference for peace of mind is a rack that works with my truck. I looked hard at them because my fold down Yakima that cleared my Tundra tailgate wouldn't clear my Ford's. Didn't like long term Performance implications of adding a connection point so I ended up with a swing away and setting the Yakima aside for when the wife gets an SUV.

Just took 3 bikes on a 4 hour road trip with my Thule Apex XT swing and came back with 4 because we got a surprise hand me down for the kid from friends and it performed perfectly. You just have to be careful about reversing. But I can load and unload with bikes on the truck and get at the tailgate completely unimpeded to access anything big or small during a trip with bikes on. Some of the tilt ones have a shock assist feature so they can tilt loaded but you still have loaded bikes blocking the cargo area.

 

I have a Küat two bike rack, with a +1 and a +2 add-on.

Holds the bikes very well, a little on the heavy side but I leave it on the truck full time.