I've purchased an inexpensive hitch carrier for our two ebikes. I went cheap because it's for short-range, paved-road use only. It's adequate but it came with four rather small straps with metal squeeze-to-open buckles on the end to secure the wheels. I'm wondering if anybody has come up with something a little better for keeping the wheels where they belong.
cheap hitch carrier - better ways to secure the wheels?
- Thread starter efair
- Start date
harryS
Well-Known Member
The last two racks I owned used metal loops to hold the wheels. Wheels would be well secured by gravity, but you wanted to use the velco straps to make sure they stayed in place.
I learned later that if you get a big nylon tie strap, it can be used to wrap around the bikes in the middle of the frame and tie them to the rack. No way they bounce then.
I learned later that if you get a big nylon tie strap, it can be used to wrap around the bikes in the middle of the frame and tie them to the rack. No way they bounce then.
+1 on the big nylon tie strap.
I also have one metal loop per wheel, fixed horizontally, which is a common design on the less expensive racks. And yes, the weight of the bikes will, in normal, short-range, paved-road circumstances, be adequate. However, planning for e.g. emergency maneuvers, sudden braking/swerving, unnoticed speed bump, etc, demands more security. I'm just wondering if anybody might have any clever alternatives to straps. Maybe something that locks?
I also have one metal loop per wheel, fixed horizontally, which is a common design on the less expensive racks. And yes, the weight of the bikes will, in normal, short-range, paved-road circumstances, be adequate. However, planning for e.g. emergency maneuvers, sudden braking/swerving, unnoticed speed bump, etc, demands more security. I'm just wondering if anybody might have any clever alternatives to straps. Maybe something that locks?
stompandgo
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
Velcro straps work great.
Nvreloader
Western Nevada
- Region
- USA
I use 4' - NO HOOK ratchet straps, that go around the tire rim/carrier frame with the wheel setting down inside a wheel pocket, 500-660+ miles of 4x4 rough roads with no problems.
https://www.amazon.com/PowerTye-Easy-Grip-Light-Duty-Endless-Ratchet/dp/B088ML4FK2?th=1 ymmv
https://www.amazon.com/PowerTye-Easy-Grip-Light-Duty-Endless-Ratchet/dp/B088ML4FK2?th=1 ymmv
Do you use one strap per wheel, one strap per bike, or one strap for both bikes?
Nvreloader
Western Nevada
- Region
- USA
Efair
I use 1 strap per wheel = 2 straps per bike.
On my carrier, I am able to wrap the ratchet strap around the tire between the spokes/carrier a couple of times, to use up the excess length, or you can figure out the length needed, cut off the excess and seal the end with a mini torch etc. yrmv
https://www.amazon.com/Carrier-Motorcycle.../dp/B0DB8CW5YJ?
I use 1 strap per wheel = 2 straps per bike.
On my carrier, I am able to wrap the ratchet strap around the tire between the spokes/carrier a couple of times, to use up the excess length, or you can figure out the length needed, cut off the excess and seal the end with a mini torch etc. yrmv
https://www.amazon.com/Carrier-Motorcycle.../dp/B0DB8CW5YJ?
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