Good hitch mount rack. Would like to see an aluminum model to lighten it up. I use it often and it is about 35 pounds. Bikes are more secure versus "hanging" style racks. The fact that the wheels fit inside the steel loops does not detract from the security of the bikes. I have pulled them 3000 miles and thru the Colorado rockies without using any additional means of securing them to the rack. The bikes both stayed put! I do have a cable lock that I thread thru the tires and into the hitch to lock them but it doesn't hold them down at all.
Pros Easy to load bikes
Sturdy
Folds up for storage
Inexpensive compared to similar styles
Center arm folds down so you can access back of vehicle if bikes are off.
Cons Thumb switch to raise and lower hooks can be tough to actuate, silicone spray helped.
Would buy again or recommend to a friend. A tire hold down carrier may cause less damage.
Pros Easy mount, easy to use. Center arm folds down to allow access to hatch even while mounted. Used with a dual hitch adapter moves the unit far enough away from the SUV hatch that it can be opened with the bike carrier loaded.
Cons Arm hooks, although padded, that rest on the top of the frame will rub the frame paint off.....without extra padding.
We really like this bike mount. We are able to put our two mountain bikes at the back of the car. Rather than on the top of the car. Using a top mount system. Risking scratching the top of my car. Either with the bikes, while loading and un loading.Or dirt and debris that could fall off.We have had the unit for 3 years now and have travelled to many a destination. No real problems. You have to put a little grease or oil on some of the wing nuts and bolts. But that's minimal maintenance.Also by rear mounting our bikes. We are able to weave a cable and lock through our bikes and lock them to the tow chain eyelets on the car. We do this when we go for lunch and such.
Pros Light weight. Inserts into 1 inch sleeve installed on My VW GTI, Solid construction,
Cons tilt feature would be nice so I could get into hatch back.
Buy it if you want a functional cheap rack.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001VO1YY/
Pros The design is solid enough and the screw in pin is awesome since it really limits the movement. I used a small luggage style lock instead of the provided ordinary spring pin to provide a little more security while unattended. Obviously if you leave your bike on it then the recommended cables would be best, otherwise using another lock on the hook arms would work short term.
Finally, one of my concerns about this design vs others was that the bike just sat in the wheel platforms instead of being strapped down like some of the others. I used the ball/loop style bungee to quickly strap the tires in place for a simple solution.
Cons Yes, there are better options out there, but for the price this thing is amazing. It works best if you have the same bike or set of bikes that you use since while adjusting the platforms and hooks is easy, figuring out what bike goes where and in what direction can be tricky. Depending on the size of the bikes and respective frame designs it's possible you get a combination that are tricky to position, but in almost all cases it should work out.
Pros If reviewer is using "ball bungee" to secure the tires to the tire holder, then they must have gotten an incomplete carrier. My carrier came with 4 (four) rubber straps with a reinforced hole on one end and a series of holes to allow proper tension depending on tire size. If the purchased new from a dealer suggest the request the dealer provide the straps...otherwise replacements are available from Swagman.
Good hitch mount rack. Would like to see an aluminum model to lighten it up. I use it often and it is about 35 pounds. Bikes are more secure versus "hanging" style racks. The fact that the wheels fit inside the steel loops does not detract from the security of the bikes. I have pulled them 3000 miles and thru the Colorado rockies without using any additional means of securing them to the rack. The bikes both stayed put! I do have a cable lock that I thread thru the tires and into the hitch to lock them but it doesn't hold them down at all.
Pros
Easy to load bikes
Sturdy
Folds up for storage
Inexpensive compared to similar styles
Center arm folds down so you can access back of vehicle if bikes are off.
Cons
| ThankThumb switch to raise and lower hooks can be tough to actuate, silicone spray helped.
Would buy again or recommend to a friend. A tire hold down carrier may cause less damage.
Pros
Easy mount, easy to use. Center arm folds down to allow access to hatch even while mounted. Used with a dual hitch adapter moves the unit far enough away from the SUV hatch that it can be opened with the bike carrier loaded.
Cons
| ThankArm hooks, although padded, that rest on the top of the frame will rub the frame paint off.....without extra padding.
We really like this bike mount. We are able to put our two mountain bikes at the back of the car. Rather than on the top of the car. Using a top mount system. Risking scratching the top of my car. Either with the bikes, while loading and un loading.Or dirt and debris that could fall off.We have had the unit for 3 years now and have travelled to many a destination. No real problems. You have to put a little grease or oil on some of the wing nuts and bolts. But that's minimal maintenance.Also by rear mounting our bikes. We are able to weave a cable and lock through our bikes and lock them to the tow chain eyelets on the car. We do this when we go for lunch and such.
Pros
Light weight. Inserts into 1 inch sleeve installed on My VW GTI, Solid construction,
Cons
| Thanktilt feature would be nice so I could get into hatch back.
Buy it if you want a functional cheap rack.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001VO1YY/
Pros
The design is solid enough and the screw in pin is awesome since it really limits the movement. I used a small luggage style lock instead of the provided ordinary spring pin to provide a little more security while unattended. Obviously if you leave your bike on it then the recommended cables would be best, otherwise using another lock on the hook arms would work short term.
Finally, one of my concerns about this design vs others was that the bike just sat in the wheel platforms instead of being strapped down like some of the others. I used the ball/loop style bungee to quickly strap the tires in place for a simple solution.
Cons
| ThankYes, there are better options out there, but for the price this thing is amazing. It works best if you have the same bike or set of bikes that you use since while adjusting the platforms and hooks is easy, figuring out what bike goes where and in what direction can be tricky. Depending on the size of the bikes and respective frame designs it's possible you get a combination that are tricky to position, but in almost all cases it should work out.
Pros
ThankIf reviewer is using "ball bungee" to secure the tires to the tire holder, then they must have gotten an incomplete carrier. My carrier came with 4 (four) rubber straps with a reinforced hole on one end and a series of holes to allow proper tension depending on tire size. If the purchased new from a dealer suggest the request the dealer provide the straps...otherwise replacements are available from Swagman.