Bike rack advice?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by PBn'FJ on July 27, 2011 at 6:10pm

If you go with trailer hitch rack, get something like the Yakima Swingdaddy that will swing away from your rear door. The tilting racks will not allow you to fully open your rear door.

 

You can also go with the Thule Spare Me that fits over the spare tire. Only issue with this option is if you have larger than stock tires you will have to modify it to make it fit.

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Permalink Reply by Gomer Peabody on July 27, 2011 at 6:18pm

Thanks!  I will check out both of these racks.

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Permalink Reply by opg4759 on July 29, 2011 at 10:43am

the good thing about the Thule Spare me is you can use it to hold a axe and shovel on the trail when not carrying a bike.

 

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Permalink Reply by downy_ball on July 27, 2011 at 9:12pm

I just picked up a Thule T2, which holds 2 bikes and mounts to the hitch. Got a great deal on it as it was donated to the Tour of California and then available for sale cheap! It's awesome - very sturdy, easy to mount and un-mount from the hitch (comes with a hitch lock!), holds the bikes tight and folds up when not in use.

Good luck on your search...

db

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Permalink Reply by jaxun on July 28, 2011 at 1:22pm

We recently ordered the Proline Ts300 3 bike spare tire mount. Works great so far! And way cheaper than Yakima or Thule hitch mounts for vehicles with rear-mount spare tires. Plus it doesn't hinder your rear door access like a hitch mount.

 

We have stock tires, BTW.

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Permalink Reply by BlackGold1 on July 28, 2011 at 7:33pm

I have the Swagman bike rack seen here: http://www.backcountryracks.com/swxtc2bihira.html

I really like it, especially how it folds up when not in use. I have a 285/75 spare mounted on the back and it clears the tire with plenty of room without looking like its sticking way off the back of the FJ.

The other nice quality is how easy and quick it is to lock in and secure your bike. Most people I ride with are always impressed by it. Lastly, having a rack that is a platform hitch compared to the others that let your bike hang by the top tube, is that you can transport almost any bike design. I have an old Gary Fisher "Y frame" Level Betty that I take out sometimes and without a platform rack, it would be pretty tough to secure this down with the shape of the frame. Anyway just my .02. If your ever considering Swagman I'd be happy to put mine on and snap a pic for you.

Jason

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Permalink Reply by downy_ball on July 28, 2011 at 9:04pm

just be careful with the racks that attach to the spare tire. they are NOT designed to allow rear door use when loaded, although people do it all the time. puts too much stress on the hinges, etc. 

also - although the racks that attach to the hitch and secure the bike via the top tube are very good, the models that secure the bikes using the tires only have the most flexibility. my wife has this very cool cruiser, but the top tube is wacked.

 

took me forever to figure out what worked best for us.

 

db

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Permalink Reply by Gomer Peabody on July 29, 2011 at 9:35am

Jason (swagman), DB (T2),

Are you able to swing the rear door of your FJ open and closed while the rack is attached?

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Permalink Reply by downy_ball on July 29, 2011 at 2:19pm

when the rack is attached, it folds up when bikes are not loaded onto it. in this position you cannot open the tail gate. however, if you swing it down, as if you were going to load bikes onto it, you are able to open the gate. there's also another feature i haven't tried yet - when bikes are loaded onto the rack, you can pull on a lever that allows the rack to hinge down, giving you more room between bikes/rack and gate. this would allow you to open the gate partially - not all the way. i haven't tried this as the loaded rack would be quite heavy.

 

i went round and round with being able to open the rear gate with bikes on a rack. in the end i just decided it was better for us to use the hitch type rack, and have the bikes loaded last, and unloaded first on trips. a little hassle i know, but i feel good knowing the bikes are held fast and tight. there are racks like mine that have a swing out feature, but the cost was more that we could afford.

 

db.

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Permalink Reply by Gomer Peabody on August 29, 2011 at 4:47pm

All,

Just want to circle back and say 'thanks' for your advice... all of it helpful!  I finally ordered my bike rack yesterday... a Thule T2.  Now I need to get a 2" hitch before the rack comes in... looking at Hidden Hitch but will check this forum for hitch-related advice on other threads. Thanks again!.

gp

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Permalink Reply by downy_ball on August 30, 2011 at 9:20pm

to add: we took a trip mid august up humboldt way with a full load and the bikes. the t2 was awesome. bikes were secure the whole way - never a worry. and, with the bikes loaded on the rack, you can open the rear gate about 24 inches - enough to grab or stow something small. that was really handy. best of luck!

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Permalink Reply by BlackGold1 on July 29, 2011 at 5:18pm

The swagman rack does allow you to access the rear door while it is still attached. You just pull a pin out from the main support bar and it swings down flat allowing the rear gate to completely open up. If you have bikes on it, of course you cannot open the rear gate, only the rear window,

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