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wintercreek

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi,

I am new to the forum. My new 2023 RAV4 is likely to be delivered by end of this month. Really excited.. I plan to install the hitch and a bike rack. Do you have any recommendations for bike rack model? I probably will have a maximum of 3 bikes.

Thanks
 
#2 · (Edited)
I have an Allen 4 bike hitch rack. It has a no wobble connection. Make sure you get a 2 inch receiver hitch which is stronger than the 1 1/4 hitch. You should get the 4 bike hitch rack since you can space it out more.

Just note the spare tire sticks out which means the bike needs to clear that. I used a short extension to my hitch so it clears the spare tire. Other bike racks maybe longer so you need to measure the distance. You do not want a very long extension due to the offset weight on the tongue.

By the way I forgot to mention I had to put thin metal shims on my extension to prevent it from wobbling. You want a tight connection on your hitch since the bike rack will bounce up and down plus some swaying over any bumps on the road. It can get crazy on those loose gravel roads to camp sites.
 
#3 ·
I have a single place 1-up. I like how it works and glad I have it despite the cost for just a single bike carrier. For a 2022, I am into it for about $800 for just me to carry only my bicycle including hitch.

You need to do some research of your own then come up with a budget. These things aren't cheap, especially if you want a 3-place. It is sometimes easier to answer what a person thinks about a certain item vs trying to answer about every product out there. Just in case I suggest the highly overpriced 1-up and you say "Oh, I meant I wanted the cheapest one". There are several HQ models that carry a similar price tag too.

You should let us know if you are carrying 3 45lb e-bikes or 3 ultra light carbon road bikes though.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
$800 for both hitch and carrier are good for me. Also I can take the rack which carries just two bikes, so hopefully that can cut down some budge.

NoMoreDomestic said:
I have a single place 1-up. I like how it works and glad I have it despite the cost for just a single bike carrier. For a 2022, I am into it for about $800 for just me to carry only my bicycle including hitch.

You need to do some research of your own then come up with a budget. These things aren't cheap, especially if you want a 3-place. It is sometimes easier to answer what a person thinks about a certain item vs trying to answer about every product out there. Just in case I suggest the highly overpriced 1-up and you say "Oh, I meant I wanted the cheapest one". There are several HQ models that carry a similar price tag too.

You should let us know if you are carrying 3 45lb e-bikes or 3 ultra light carbon road bikes though.
Click to expand...
Yes I will try to install the 2 inch receiver that can be stronger.

DL175 said:
wobbling
Click to expand...
 
#6 ·
DL175 said:
I have an Allen 4 bike hitch rack. It has a no wobble connection. Make sure you get a 2 inch receiver hitch which is stronger than the 1 1/4 hitch. You should get the 4 bike hitch rack since you can space it out more.

Just note the spare tire sticks out which means the bike needs to clear that. I used a short extension to my hitch so it clears the spare tire. Other bike racks maybe longer so you need to measure the distance. You do not want a very long extension due to the offset weight on the tongue.

By the way I forgot to mention I had to put thin metal shims on my extension to prevent it from wobbling. You want a tight connection on your hitch since the bike rack will bounce up and down plus some swaying over any bumps on the road. It can get crazy on those loose gravel roads to camp sites.
Click to expand...
Hey, there is no exterior mounted spare tire on a 2023 RAV4. Added distance/clearance is not necessary.
 
#7 ·
I'm using Allen 4 bike rack for 2'' receiver (https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0792V7HB5) with oem trailer hitch. Fills very strong. Good space for 2 bikes what I'm usually use it for. It will work for 3 bikes , but I have doubts it will have enough space for 4 full size bikes.
Reason of using 4 bikes rack - it more strong than 2 bikes one and as result you are getting almost no wobbling or shaking with 2 bikes on it.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
DrShadow said:
I'm using Allen 4 bike rack for 2'' receiver (https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0792V7HB5) with oem trailer hitch. Fills very strong. Good space for 2 bikes what I'm usually use it for. It will work for 3 bikes , but I have doubts it will have enough space for 4 full size bikes.
Reason of using 4 bikes rack - it more strong than 2 bikes one and as result you are getting almost no wobbling or shaking with 2 bikes on it.
Click to expand...
Thank you and seems to be a perfect one, not expensive and strong :D
 
#9 ·
Are your bikes able to be hung from a rack? Note the crossbar needs to be straight and unobstructed.
Neither of my mountain bikes will hang from a rack like that for example. One of my bikes has an unusual configuration and the top tube is too large to even fit. A second bike has a very steep top tube, the bike would be hanging at a crazy angle, and I think the top tube is too large of a diameter (and is not round).

If you have basic aluminum road bikes you are probably okay. If you have carbon with irregular shaped tubes you may not be able to use that style. I believe hanging bikes are more prone to sway as well. If you don't want your bikes to hit each other, that may not work for you. Dr. Shadow may have more input.
You haven't said what you are carrying so I thought it beneficial to offer a though in case you aren't aware.

If you have 3 heavy bikes, I don't know if I like that rack, it looks pretty cheap. The 1 1/4" mount just seems weak to have the bikes extended away from the vehicle (unless you have three bikes of 20lbs.
 
#10 ·
NoMoreDomestic said:
If you have basic aluminum road bikes you are probably okay. If you have carbon with irregular shaped tubes you may not be able to use that style. I believe hanging bikes are more prone to sway as well. If you don't want your bikes to hit each other, that may not work for you. Dr. Shadow may have more input.
You haven't said what you are carrying so I thought it beneficial to offer a though in case you aren't aware.
Click to expand...
You are right - if shape of bike frame irregular may be adapter will be needed. One of my bikes like this (2022 Supercycle Radex 26, Dual Suspension Mountain bi...) . It still fit , but not hangs exactly horizontally.
I'm using adapter (https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0817M1S8Y) mostly because it's easy to hang bike in garage and on the rack. Adapter will work for any crazy style frame bike and Allen rack.
Also rack is 2'' and has no problem with 3 heavy bikes, they have 1 1/4" mount as well but it looks weak. Also I'm using ratchet strap through bottom of bikes frames and hitch for additional security.
 
#11 ·
DrShadow said:
You are right - if shape of bike frame irregular may be adapter will be needed. One of my bikes like this (2022 Supercycle Radex 26, Dual Suspension Mountain bi...) . It still fit , but not hangs exactly horizontally.
I'm using adapter (https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0817M1S8Y) mostly because it's easy to hang bike in garage and on the rack. Adapter will work for any crazy style frame bike and Allen rack.
Also rack is 2'' and has no problem with 3 heavy bikes, they have 1 1/4" mount as well but it looks weak. Also I'm using ratchet strap through bottom of bikes frames and hitch for additional security.
Click to expand...
Ahh okay.
The product description looked like a 1 1/4" with an adaptor to fit a 2" receiver, not a 2" build.
Good to know that it is in fact 2". Disregard my previous comment then.
 
#12 ·
I’d look at küat racks. They are a bit pricey, but are solid and well designed. Specifically, the NV 2.0 which has 2, 3, and 4 bike models. It is a platform frack which holds the bike by the front and back wheels.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
NoMoreDomestic said:
Ahh okay.
The product description looked like a 1 1/4" with an adaptor to fit a 2" receiver, not a 2" build.
Good to know that it is in fact 2". Disregard my previous comment then.
Click to expand...
Thanks for both of your input. My bikes are Costco brands, NorthRock CTM, which is made by Giant. (https://www.costco.ca/northrock-ctm-68.58-cm-(27-in.)-crossover-bike.product.100674018.html)
I think if I choose the rack Dr Shadow recommended, I will use similar stuff as he used, like the adapter, rachet strap, etc..
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
JRav17 said:
I’d look at küat racks. They are a bit pricey, but are solid and well designed. Specifically, the NV 2.0 which has 2, 3, and 4 bike models. It is a platform frack which holds the bike by the front and back wheels.
Click to expand...
Looks pretty steady and easy to use. I might consider it as well. How do Thule and Karizma compare with Kuat? I did some research and seems these two brands' rack are often recommended..
 
#15 ·
My recommendation would be any rack that, when loaded, doesn't significantly obscure your tail/brake lights! When I occasionally get behind a vehicle with a hitch-mounted bike racks with 3 or 4 bikes on it, I often find their lights to be significantly obscured by the bikes. Seems unsafe. I allow more distance between my car and the car with bikes, but not sure everyone does.

This might just be my pet peeve and I don't have any accident statistics to back up my concern. But better safe than sorry.
 
#16 ·
wintercreek said:
Looks pretty steady and easy to use. I might consider it as well. How do Thule and Karizma compare with Kuat? I did some research and seems these two brands' rack are often recommended..
Click to expand...
Thule racks are solid, but the instructions are not the most intuitive. I’ve heard stories of them failing too. Küat does have a solid warranty and you can order replacement parts if needed. No experience with the Karizma brand, though.
 
#17 ·
With the bike racks that do not use a 2" hitch receiver it is important to consider how low the bikes will hang from the rack so the wheels do not hit the ground on steep approaches. I added a Curt hitch receiver to the 2022 Rav4 Prime and we are using a 1UP bike rack. The advantage of the 1UP rack is that it slopes up from the receiver so the outside bike is further off the ground than the inside bike so no issues with ground clearance. It can support a 150 lb bike load.

Good value racks are the Hollywood brand and these are sturdy enough to use with e-bikes.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Calson said:
With the bike racks that do not use a 2" hitch receiver it is important to consider how low the bikes will hang from the rack so the wheels do not hit the ground on steep approaches. I added a Curt hitch receiver to the 2022 Rav4 Prime and we are using a 1UP bike rack. The advantage of the 1UP rack is that it slopes up from the receiver so the outside bike is further off the ground than the inside bike so no issues with ground clearance. It can support a 150 lb bike load.

Good value racks are the Hollywood brand and these are sturdy enough to use with e-bikes.
Click to expand...
Good to know. Thank you. Will check 1Up as well.
 
#20 ·
DL175 said:
I have an Allen 4 bike hitch rack. It has a no wobble connection. Make sure you get a 2 inch receiver hitch which is stronger than the 1 1/4 hitch. You should get the 4 bike hitch rack since you can space it out more.

Just note the spare tire sticks out which means the bike needs to clear that. I used a short extension to my hitch so it clears the spare tire. Other bike racks maybe longer so you need to measure the distance. You do not want a very long extension due to the offset weight on the tongue.

I forgot to mention that I had to use thin metal shims on my extension to keep it from wobbling. A tight connection on your hitch is important because the tacoma bike rack will bounce and sway over bumps on the road, especially on loose gravel roads to campsites.
Click to expand...
What bike racks do you guys like the most? I've been looking at some that bolt to the bed and others that attach to the tow hitch. Any suggestions, links, photos,
 
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