Hitch or trunk rack, and weight limits

[Operator7]

The 1UP rack is what I'm leaning towards, if I leave the rack on all the time, but it will be a little expensive. I'll have to get the black (my car is black), so that is $349, and with the lock, tax and shipping, I'm thinking well over $400 final price. There are a couple racks at REI (like this one: https://www.rei.com/product/865467/saris-freedom-2-bike-hitch-rack) that would be much cheaper, but not as nice looking and compact.

 

[opimax]

Your rack is not something that I would look to do cheaply. If it fails at 70 mph on freeway bad new in many ways. If you have a rack not designed to hold the weight of your bike you are liable for damages which you flying ebike caused, could be a considerable amount.

I leave mine on my lightly used Baja so I can get a lift at any time I may need it.

 

[Operator7]

Your rack is not something that I would look to do cheaply. If it fails at 70 mph on freeway bad new in many ways. If you have a rack not designed to hold the weight of your bike you are liable for damages which you flying ebike caused, could be a considerable amount.

I leave mine on my lightly used Baja so I can get a lift at any time I may need it.

The Saris rack is rated to carry two bikes at 35lbs each, so total of 70 lbs weight limit. The 1UP is actually only rated to carry 50lbs, but ST1 without battery is only 5 lbs over, so I'm thinking it would work. I don't want to be OVERLY cheap, but I also don't want to spend needlessly. I don't know, I guess I'm still trying to wrap my head around $250 for a hitch and then another $400 plus for the rack. All in all, we're talking about $700.

 

[PowerMe]

You've been waffling for awhile. Determine your absolute/final budget you're willing to pay for a hitch & rack, and purchase within that budget, or just forget the whole thing and don't spend anything.

 

[opimax]

My Saris rack is at least 1 model old, it will carry 2 60 lb bikes and will carry 120 total. I cannot put a single 75llb bike in it The total weight is will not break the hitch off but the individual components where the bike sits cannot hold the 75 lb bike. So imagine you are going down the road , if you overloaded the hitch and it fell off you would have the bikes still in place while the hitch and bikes go rolling backwards (till they come apart) hitting all those cars or if you over load just 1 of the 2 bike holders (I can carry 2) the piece holding the wheel falls off, your bike goes flying and causes damage but you hitch is still attached to your car

EITHER WAY you have a big problem!

 

[Operator7]

Well, just placed my order for http://www.1upusa.com and (Link Removed - No Longer Exists)

Even though this rack is $100 more than the Saris, it seems much more stable and nice looking. When the rack is on the car, it seems to fold much closer to the car, which is very important to me, because it makes the car less long and more maneuverable. I will still be removing the rack sometimes, I think. They said it is fairly easy, and folds nicely into the box it is shipped with.

Thank you everyone for sharing all of your expertise, experience and opinions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PowerMe]

Congrats! That's the rack I have. I also just ordered a hitch lock from them, so that should arrive by next week, depending on how fast they ship it.

 

[Operator7]

Good idea on the hitch lock. We should compare notes once we receive. Curious how much protection that will provide against thieves.

 

[PowerMe]

Well I've had the rack on my car every day since I received it in March 2015 and no one's bothered my car. I live in a very safe area though. In a big city I would expect someone to try and steal it (or steal anything).

 

[Deleted member 803]

Can I ask you guys this - is it a big hassle to remove the rack? I'm getting the idea most of you simply leave the rack on your call most or all of the time...

The 1UP rack comes on/off very easily. I remove the rack and the removable hitch bar when not in use. Since I do not transport regularly it takes me 10 minutes or so to put on the tow bar and hitch. Not a big deal.

The caveat is that I have a single bike rack. If you add 2 or 3 more racks to the 1UP then weight becomes an issue as to whether to remove or leave on.

My rack folds up nicely and goes into the storage box that was used to ship the rack. Very nicely thought out!

 

[PowerMe]

Got the 1up hitch lock. Very simple to install, took all of a minute. Now I don't have to worry (not that I was worried before but now I really don't need to worry).

 

[Operator7]

My rack and lock arrive tomorrow. Plan to have hitch installed on Friday. ST1 arrives Friday as well. Santa loves me!