Hi. New to the forums here. I need some advice on a bike rack/hitch. Since the kids are getting bigger, so are their bikes. I can no longer jam 4 bikes in the back of my pickup (it has a cap that is a pain in the dupa to take off). So I'm thinking of adding a hitch to the back to hold a 4-bike rack. Can anyone offer some advice on what kind of rack to buy (good quality rack at a decent price), best place to buy one (retail store like Dick's vs. used) and where to get a hitch installed (someone recommended U-Haul). Finally, any idea as to how much this will cost me overall? (We're recreational bikers if that helps at all.)
I have a Hollywood rack that fits the Class IV receiver on my pickup. It's meant for three, but I can get four on it. I'm pretty sure they make one for four as well. I got mine through Scholl's in West View. I'd bet just about any LBS can order the right one for you.
(The only downside is I can't lower the tailgate while the rack is on - although I have seen racks like this that fold down with a release pin to open tailgates.)
If you are mechanically handy, pick up a Hidden Hitch brand and install it yourself.
Yeah hitches are pretty easy to instal as long as you get the right one for your truck. Check out the tray hitch racks from thule and yakima. A little more money but way more secure durable and adaptable to a wide variety of bikes. Plus they fold down even when loaded for tailgate access.
