Trailer Hitch Bike Racks?

I have a Thule T2 from the late 90s. Been with me through 3 or 4 vehicles. Solid as a rock. Only problem is it's a squeeze/shove to get the clamp over 29" wheels these days.

 

Wow what kind of bikes are they?? and yeah the tailgate pad sounds ideal if it weren't for the topper. For sure, having the security of it being locked up in the bed is the best part, I probably should at least put a little more padding in there. Those $4 Harbor Freight moving blankets are legit

 

Didn't know that about Kuat--thats dope. And damn they're beefy! That looks like a buy it for life type of deal.

 

Pivot, Yeti, Trek. Depends on who I ride with. I have a Trek.

I still have a long cable with a lock that I thread through the frames and the tie down eyelets on the bed.

That's a good idea. I've been using old towels.

 

Insightful stuff here, thank you--especially the locking mechanisms. Based on everyone's responses here, Kuat is the real deal. The GF has a mountain bike and I have a hybrid (Giant Escape). I for sure would just do a tailgate pad option, but I have camper shell that I'll be keeping on.

 

1up for hitch mount. Full aluminum; super light and easy to put on and take off. Only touches tires so no frame wear.

 

If you want a budget rack I’m fairly happy with the Harbor Freight rack, but you have to work with it a bit. I wanted the cheapest rack I could find in good shape to give biking a try on my last road trip with the gf and this worked.

Granted it does shake a bit, I drilled out the top hitch pin hole to make it a bit easier to pivot, and it isn’t the smoothest to use. But it pivots down so you can open the tailgate, and made it a 1000 mile road trip without anything coming loose. Plus it’s $40

 

Like you I leave my bikes locked in the topper at times. I use an old Kelty sleeping pad between the bikes and bungee them to d rings i installed on the side of the bed so they don't flop around. Then also cover them with moving blankets. Out of sight out of mind is my thoughts on this. If they ever get stolen and the topper gets broken into that's what insurance is for.

 

Another bonus of Kuat is the ability to add trays to an existing rack. If you buy a 2 tray rack and need to add a third or fourth tray, you can upgrade that down the line.

 

Agreed. I have the +1 and +2 add-ons.

Used mostly as rack +1. Add the +2 if wifey wants to peddle on the trip.

Will remove all and use the standard rack if I’m going camping or somewhere with just one or both of my mountain bikes.

(I previously posted a photo)


The only downside I have found (which is not related to the manufacturer but to all tray style hitch racks) they are long.
Expect to add a solid 4 1/2’ off the tail of the truck.