Hitch bike rack recommendations for 4-bikes/family?

[LightsOut]

Tried browsing around but mostly were applications for mountain bikes. I'm looking at these two below, preferably with a swing-away, so, leaning towards the Yakima. I like the 1up and a few others out there as well, but doesn't seem as practical. I mostly do road biking (2 bikes max), and ideally would like to carry 2 additional bikes for the kids. Any recs would be much appreciated! Just want something reliable/durable, I guess that'll accommodate the fam. Thanks in advance.

Hollywood Racks (I'll have to look for a swing arm, but this seems a bit overkill plus large as well)

Yakima 4-Bike Hitch Mounted Rack

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[Ruck n’Roll]

I’ve been looking at racks for various reasons as well (general purpose and bikes) and came across these:

https://pakmule.com/

An all-purpose rack that has attachments for bikes. Saw some videos where they had (3) bikes on there, not sure if you can get a 4th as well.

Just thought I’d share! Best of luck in the search.

 

[jimF]

Hanging bike racks are terrible for your bikes. Get one that has a tray like a kuat or one up.

 

[LightsOut]

Hanging bike racks are terrible for your bikes. Get one that has a tray like a kuat or one up.

I was thinking this too, as my previous ones were mostly the platform type. Ugh, thanks.

 

[LightsOut]

I’ve been looking at racks for various reasons as well (general purpose and bikes) and came across these:

https://pakmule.com/

An all-purpose rack that has attachments for bikes. Saw some videos where they had (3) bikes on there, not sure if you can get a 4th as well.

Just thought I’d share! Best of luck in the search.

Thanks! Will check this out. Good luck to you too

 

[brumey]

1up is far more durable that all otters. Built in the USA. Worth the extra $$$$ over the plastic imported junk.
I have the super duty.

 

[Scotty2H]

Hanging bike racks are terrible for your bikes. Get one that has a tray like a kuat or one up.

Lol, no they're not.

 

[Coldwiz]

I think the story here is this guy worked for 1up or was affileated with them somehow but his goal was to make a better 1up. My buddy has one and loves it. He had a 1up before it.

https://quikrstuff.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorqWdIpX3u5RiFvs4pNZXf6AMX1mTI-mz7okLMezfHrM_2ZxEDK

 

[ScoMay]

Hanging bike racks are terrible for your bikes. Get one that has a tray like a kuat or one up.

Adding one more consideration for bike carriers with trays. Note that they can secure the bikes in different ways. A pair of clamps that grab both tires preserves your frame if you are concerned about scratching or just trying to limit pressure on a carbon fiber frame. Another secure method of attachment is a “shepherd’s hook” style hook, but these can scratch.

Not sure how carrying 4 bikes will limit your choices.

I would pay attention to the amount of steel vs aluminum in the carrier. I have a 1UpUSA which is almost completely aluminum so it should stay pretty rust free. Consider that your hitch mounted carrier is riding behind your vehicle in an almost constant spray when roads are wet!

I assume you found your LONGER security pin (in the glovebox?) to fit the larger housing on your vehicle’s hitch receiver.

 

[LightsOut]

I think the story here is this guy worked for 1up or was affileated with them somehow but his goal was to make a better 1up. My buddy has one and loves it. He had a 1up before it.

https://quikrstuff.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorqWdIpX3u5RiFvs4pNZXf6AMX1mTI-mz7okLMezfHrM_2ZxEDK

I noticed there's been a lot more 1up clones, like on Amazon there's 'Young Electric.' Most of their racks and stuff are for e-bikes, but they do have some lighter variants for standard-ish bikes.

Adding one more consideration for bike carriers with trays. Note that they can secure the bikes in different ways. A pair of clamps that grab both tires preserves your frame if you are concerned about scratching or just trying to limit pressure on a carbon fiber frame. Another secure method of attachment is a “shepherd’s hook” style hook, but these can scratch.

Not sure how carrying 4 bikes will limit your choices.

I would pay attention to the amount of steel vs aluminum in the carrier. I have a 1UpUSA which is almost completely aluminum so it should stay pretty rust free. Consider that your hitch mounted carrier is riding behind your vehicle in an almost constant spray when roads are wet!

I assume you found your LONGER security pin (in the glovebox?) to fit the larger housing on your vehicle’s hitch receiver.

Thanks for this especially re: the longer security pin lol-- totally forgot about that since day of pickup. Now I have to remember where I put it haha. I forget, but does 1up have a 4-bike option? I considered it at one point, as I was worried about the ones on Amazon i.e. Hollywood Racks, Yakima, Thule, Kuat, etc. degrading over time, or like you said, even rusting.

 

[ScoMay]

The only hitch mounted rack they carry that could handle 4 (or more!) bikes is called “The Recon”. Each “tray” can hold up to 45 lbs, so if you have an e-bike that would be a problem.

https://1up-usa.com/product-category/racks/hitch-bike-racks/recon-rack/

I don’t have that carrier so I can’t say anything about it other than what is described on their website.

1Up USA does not sell through bike shops so you can’t go somewhere to personally check out their products. You buy the carrier directly from them.

 

[brumey]

I have the 1UP Super Duty. I only need two trays but I thought they had add on trays to expand. I see this comment on the 1up Super Duty page - " Up to 3 bikes (Single) or 4 bikes (Double)". I really don't understand what they mean by Single and Double.

The Quickrstuff rack looks like a 1up with interesting improvements. When I was in the market for a rack, I beleve I contacted these folk but they had a very long delay in production and sending the bikes. From memory, I think it was a couple of months wait. That was enough for me to go with 1UP. I guess and hope they have production and stock now.

 

[ScoMay]

I have the 1UP Super Duty. I only need two trays but I thought they had add on trays to expand. I see this comment on the 1up Super Duty page - " Up to 3 bikes (Single) or 4 bikes (Double)". I really don't understand what they mean…

Brumey, you are correct!

Don’t know how I missed that especially since that is the carrier I actually own!!

I have the Super Duty in a single tray platform. But If you buy the Super Duty in the double tray platform it comes with 2 trays. You can then purchase 2 “add-on” trays to increase your capacity to 4 bikes.

https://1up-usa.com/blog/2024-super-duty

 

[brumey]

Cool, thanks for the confirmation. That would be quite a thing hanging off the back hitch

We have two eBikes when are light for being an eBike but heavy compated to two road bikes. Super Duty handles it well. They have been bring new accesories out albeit slowly. A Security pin for the hitch for example.

I go nuts on Security. Kriptonite Chain securing the rack to the vehicle. Additional locka on the bikes. We have not had to park with the bikes on so, I am more worried about someone swiping the rack.

I have a proximity/Motion alarm on the rack hardware. If someone messes with it, it goes off. Just loud audible but might be enough to deter. I do wish the hitch lock on the 1up was more secure. I now have the additional pin.

I also try to park with the bikes or the rack not showing, refersing into slot agains a wall for example.

All good.....

 

[ScoMay]

I was curious about Quickrstuff after you mentioned it. I had never heard of them.

The reviews on Reddit comparing it to 1UpUSA were pretty good.

One positive that was mentioned was the security of how the carrier locks to the vehicle’s hitch receiver is better than 1UpUSA.

One negative was that they are pretty expensive compared to 1UpUSA.

If I was buying a carrier these days I would definitely check out those reviews and give Quickrstuff a look.

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