Recommend me a Bike rack for my SUV

Kivis

Member
The one I have is just not sturdy enough to handle an E-Bike. It worked fine for my former bike which weighed 24 lbs. My Charge City E bike weighs about 40 lbs. sans the battery. Not bad but it flexes the arm in my present bike rack way too much. So I need a onsey but sturdier (maybe metal arms?). What you say?
 
+1 on a Hollywood rack. Look at the specs though; this one is rated for two bikes 50 lbs each. Also they’re mostly out of stock, of course so is most every other manufacturer.
 
I don’t have any experience with a “onesie” but my twosie is a Hollywood SE2 and works with a 2” hitch and is rated for two 50lb ebikes. Etrailer probably has a onesie on it’s site.
I have the 4 bike version of this rack and really like it. It’s identical, but came with a removable section for 2 additional bikes. It looks like the one linked above will also work with the extension if someone decides to haul additional bikes. My only complaint is that it’s a little on the heavy side, but for me it’s manageable.
 
Are there any racks for an SUV that would not require getting a hitch mounted and not damage the body/paint?
 
I have a yakima 2 hold up. It carries my very heavy fat tire ebike in the front position and my wifes lighter cruiser ebike in the outer position.
Been using it a lot this summer and I like it.

It is NOT fender friendly.
 
You don't want one of those racks that hang by clips and straps etc, for an ebike.
Why? I see that if you get a 2 banger, the weight limit is 35 lbs. each, So wouldn't one ebike at 40lbs be ok? Or will the arms bend? I am starting to see that I might have to bite the Bullitt and get a Hitch version.
 
Why? I see that if you get a 2 banger, the weight limit is 35 lbs. each, So wouldn't one ebike at 40lbs be ok? Or will the arms bend? I am starting to see that I might have to bite the Bullitt and get a Hitch version.
All I can say is I’ve never attempted to transport a 40+lb bike on a strap-on rack. Ebikes are heavy and expensive. Even my hitch oriented, purpose-built rack designed to carry two 50 lb bikes wiggles a little.
Can’t guess what a strap held rig would do at interstate speeds. What vehicle will it be used with?
 
Call me crazy but I'd NEVER put an ebike on a bike carrier that is supported by nylon straps with little clips jammed into the cracks of a rear hatch, cantilevered against the back glass window. The physics just don't work for me.
 
I agree with ruffruff. Bite the bullet and get a hitch installed on your SUV.
I installed one myself on my SUV so I could carry our ebikes. The hitch was fairly inexpensive and I installed it myself. I didn't install the wiring kit, because I didn't plan on towing anything.
The install was easy and for my vehicle only basic tools were needed, although I have to admit that I have a hoist, which made the job a lot easier. ;)

Here's a good sourse: https://www.etrailer.com/
 
You don’t need a lift. Ive installed 3 different hitches using ramps. Installed my latest hitch to my SUV myself with ramps in an hour. Quite easy. I also didn’t do any wiring as my Hollywood ebike rack is all I’ll use the hitch for.
 
Too much at stake not to get a rack designed for the weight.

 
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