[wyrillco]

So since I have my new training schedule, and it often calls for a long bike ride on the weekens, I'm going to need to tote my bike with me often. This time of year (spring/summer) we tend to make trips back home often. And while last year I stuffed my bike in the back of our suv and packed around it, I was thinking it might be better to get a bike rack.<br><br>
Do you guys have hitch racks? I don't want one that straps on to the back of the car, because I've done that with our last car, and it beat the hell out of the paint job. And I'm too short for a roof rack on our suv.<br><br>
Is it safe to trek my bike across two states strapped to a hitch rack? Or should I just continue to to stuff it in the back? It's only ever a problem if we need to take something else big with us, or if we have any passengers.

 

[Stitcher]

My bike rack is portable and is a trunk version.<br><br>
It's worked fine so far, but then...I have a Saturn, and I really don't think you can break those!<br><br>
I drove my first ever car (also a saturn) for 11.5 years.....over 180K miles on it. Ohio to VA many times, OH to PHX, then PHX to AL....AL to VA many times. It was awesome. Till I accidentally rearended someone. THen it was toast.<br><br>
THis one is my second ever car...it'll be ALL mine in a few very short months. I plan on driving it into the ground as well.

 

[LookiLoo]

I am interested to hear other's thoughts on this as well - I usually just take off from my house, but the traffic is getting to a point that I may have to start packing it up on the weekends and head for quieter roads.<br><br>
I drive a subaru outback, so I have been able to put it in the back, but it's a pain to do everytime as I have to take out the child seat, clean out the back, and I always manage to screw something up on my bike when doing this.<br><br>
We're driving up to MI next summer for my HIM, and I'm thinking I'll put a rack on top (I don't like the idea of one in the back - this seems like it would inhibit opening the trunk?)? I guess I would buy a cover or something for the trip?

 

[wyrillco]

I saw a truck rack yesterday, actually, on someone's car, that bent down after you took the bikes off, so you could open the truck/back hatchback.<br><br>
We are just gone too much in the summer for me to not have a good plan. Like when we go camping, I take my bike down to the highway to bike, and it turns out that we take a lot of crap camping, so my bike barely fits. Another pillow, and it might not! <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[TriBob]

Hitch racks are much sturdier. I would go with that if you will be driving an SUV.

 

[3chilipeppers]

I would go for a hitch rack. We will be getting one eventually. We have a roof rack on our minivan. I can get my bike on and off by myself easily, and I'm only 5'3". I wouldn't say it is the most convenient, but we don't have to keep taking the rack on and off. We like to access the liftgate at all times. We also didn't want to spend the money on the hitch. If you already have a hitch, definitely go with the hitch rack. They are very sturdy. My in-laws have one they don't use anymore (they got a different one), which is why we might put a hitch on the van and use it.<br><br>
Edit: I wanted to add that our roof rack is one where you don't take the front wheel off, so it's easy.

 

[wyrillco]

Thanks, that is good to know.<br><br>
I need to contact the dealer to find out what it costs to put a hitch on. I have no idea. We don't have one now, but we don't have a rack on top either. So if that is the sturdiest, that's they way I'll go.

 

[LookiLoo]

So if I have a hitch with a rack, I should still be able to open the trunk? (outback wagaon)

 

[LookiLoo]

My dh put a hitch on his wagon. I'm not sure how difficult it was, but it saved him a good bit of $$.

 

[slow_n_steady]

I have a hitch rack on my little Mazda 3 Sport and it is fine. It can fold down so I can still open the back while it is attached. Only takes a minute to take it on or off. I only have a little 1 1/4" receiver, so it was a little wobbly at first, but I bought a little stabilizer and now it is fine.

 

[wyrillco]

I'll bet! I'll have to check into that.

 

[therambler]

I agree, if you can get a hitch rack. They are much easier to get at and they don't destroy your aerodynamics like a roof rack will.

 

[Tri-Tammy]

I have a hitch rack for our Ford Explorer. It holds 4 bikes, and folds down when needed. It's very quick and easy.

 

[kimber45]

Tammy, I have a Chevy Tahoe and have to open the back at least twice a day. I keep all my work stuff back there. Would a hitch rack be a pain in the butt for me?

 

[Tri-Tammy]

Mine has a pin that you can take out, bring the hitch down, and then put back in. It's pretty simple to use and I don't necessarily see it as a hinderance... only a reminder that I need to put my bike on it. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br>
Here is what I have-<br><a href="http://www.rei.com/product/737561" target="_blank">http://www.rei.com/product/737561</a>

 

[jroden]

I've carried 4 bikes on hitch racks lots of times and they work fine, it helps sometimes to use a bungee cord or a little foam to keep stuff from rubbing, but in general they are a dirt cheap way to carry lots of bikes.

 

[Cashmason]

If I had a roof rack, 99 times I would be fine, 1 time I would forget and drive right into the garage and destroy a couple of bikes.<br><br>
Especially after a long trip home and getting back late at night, and all I am thinking about then is a hot shower and bed.<br><br>
Plus you might remember every time, but what if your dear spouse was driving and tired?

 

[LookiLoo]

<br>
That is my fear with the roof rack. Happened to a friend of mine - she just bought a brand new tri bike a couple weeks prior and smash! It was her hubby that did it too <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> Bad day at their house...

 

[wyrillco]

We don't currently have a garage, so I'd be safe there <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
But I can barely reach the antenna to push it down when I go thru the carwash. I'd need a ladder to load my bike!<br><br>
I'm going to look into the hitch rack asap.

 

[MBannon]

I use a roof rack (homemade), but we once loaded 3 or 4 mountain bikes on a hitch rack on a friend's Subaru Forester and drove from Portland to Moab and back with no problems, even on rough dirt roads. You might want to use straps or bungee cords to stabilize things, but that's about it. The hinged ones are nice so you can still open your rear hatch without removing the bikes from the rack.