Bike Racks... Tailgate Pad or Hitch Rack for frequent use.

[volksnuts]

looks like it rubs against the fork stanchion, wonder if it would scratch it over time or the padding is soft enough?

Pretty sure the stanchion doesn’t touch
It’s been a while but feel like they really can’t
Doubt that many people would use them if it were an issue

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[jojo_xlt]

Pretty sure the stanchion doesn’t touch
It’s been a while but feel like they really can’t
Doubt that many people would use them if it were an issue

good to know, I'm considering of getting one myself as well. thanks!

 

[dalola]

A nice day and some spare time, I thought I'd work on fitting my bike rake that I used in my F150, to the Mav. Super happy it's works just great with no mod's! Four bikes fit in the back of the Mav just fine. Only difference from the F150 is, gotta leave the T/G down.

Here's a few pix of the test fit. I don't remember the brand of the rack, but was inexpensive at the time I bought it 10 years ago or so.

 

[Mav15]

I will be using this Thule bike rack to haul bikes. I got a great deal through a VW dealer online. They listed this Thule rack under Atlas accesseries for $540.

 

[tkammen270]

Bumping this thread. I recently picked up a Trek Rail and it's a pain to load it into the bed. I am looking at a 1up super single but have some concerns. Anyone who has a 1up how do you feel about the four side plate bolts being easily removed? I feel like someone can remove the four bolts and steal the bike like nothing.

 

[colinl]

Bumping this thread. I recently picked up a Trek Rail and it's a pain to load it into the bed. I am looking at a 1up super single but have some concerns. Anyone who has a 1up how do you feel about the four side plate bolts being easily removed? I feel like someone can remove the four bolts and steal the bike like nothing.

I'll answer second question first. Anything you use to lock your bike to a vehicle should not be considered safe to park and then ignore the vehicle unobserved for a long period of time (like while eating a meal, or parked at a hotel). At best something should be considered good enough to keep honest people honest and just know that anything other than a short time away from it you're creating risk. Bike thieves have bolt cutters that can get through about any cable lock so unbolting the sides is probably not how they would get it.

And your first question- what is the issue with loading the Rail, the weight of the bike? If you're only hauling one, and it looks like you are based on that tailgate half pad, does it help to lower the tailgate, roll the bike in, then lift the front tire over the tailgate as you close it? If you've got the muscle power but not the height to lift it easily over the tailgate, maybe a small stepstool with rubber feet. (Just speculating, I'm 6'0" and can easily do it, I don't know how easy it is to load if you're under 5'5" for example.)

Final thought, if you do get a hitch rack, Kuat makes a ramp that attaches to their racks. My in-laws are in their 70s and have e-bikes and the ramp very helpful for them. https://www.kuat.com/product/nv-2-0-bike-ramp/

 

[tkammen270]

And your first question- what is the issue with loading the Rail, the weight of the bike? If you're only hauling one, and it looks like you are based on that tailgate half pad, does it help to lower the tailgate, roll the bike in, then lift the front tire over the tailgate as you close it? If you've got the muscle power but not the height to lift it easily over the tailgate, maybe a small stepstool with rubber feet. (Just speculating, I'm 6'0" and can easily do it, I don't know how easy it is to load if you're under 5'5" for example.)

Final thought, if you do get a hitch rack, Kuat makes a ramp that attaches to their racks. My in-laws are in their 70s and have e-bikes and the ramp very helpful for them. https://www.kuat.com/product/nv-2-0-bike-ramp/

I can get the bike up over the side no problem. I'm just looking for something to make my life easier haha. I do plan on taking some trips and would like to have the bed available especially to be able to close the cover. I do like the idea of having something more secure also. I'm probably over thinking the bolt situation. I have a good cable and lock for my bikes. On my Yakima racks in the past they have locks on the bolts holding the rack together. From what I have researched on the 1up everyone loves and recommends it.

 

[colinl]

I can get the bike up over the side no problem. I'm just looking for something to make my life easier haha. I do plan on taking some trips and would like to have the bed available especially to be able to close the cover. I do like the idea of having something more secure also. I'm probably over thinking the bolt situation. I have a good cable and lock for my bikes. On my Yakima racks in the past they have locks on the bolts holding the rack together. From what I have researched on the 1up everyone loves and recommends it.

A significant amount of 1up fans are people that like they are American owned and American made. I understand and appreciate that, but I don't think the notion that they're "the best" stands up under technical comparison.

They're bulky, heavy, ugly and most importantly I can get a different rack with better features for the same or less money. I have a Yakima Dr Tray with the +1 Add-On. I use a Fox Overland medium tailgate pad almost all the time on the Maverick, only time I use the hitch rack is if I have a bed full of stuff under my tonneau over.

 

[tkammen270]

A significant amount of 1up fans are people that like they are American owned and American made.

I am not a fan. They're bulky, heavy, ugly and most importantly I can get a different rack with better features for the same or less money.

What rack would you recommend? The 1up looks to fold up nicely and it's only 28 pounds.

 

[colinl]

What rack would you recommend? The 1up looks to fold up nicely and it's only 28 pounds.

If you live somewhere with heavy traffic one of the only solutions I know of for a brake light on a hitch rack is made by Thule.

I like my Yakima Dr Tray because you can slide the trays around and eliminate bike-to-bike contact.

If you have heavy e-bikes, Kuat NV + Kuat ramp.

That's the 3 scenarios I'd buy something other than 1Up, but before I pushed 'post' on this I did google and see that 1Up has a ramp option now too.

 

[pxpaulx]

I'll throw my hat in the ring with the Saris MHS tray system - I have the 2-tray rack for our E-MTBs and it is very robust (max load is 80lbs).

I will say that with an E-bike's weight, my preference was to get something that is a full try (i.e. wheels fully supported on a platform). Racks like the one suggested above from @colinl would probably be ok for short trips, but the wire frame type of wheel support to me feels less secure with the 45-50lbs+ weight of a typical good EMTB.

Edit - Rockymounts is also a good option - they have a couple of single racks - highnoon is indicating 60lb limit and expandable to 2 bikes at 60lbs each as well.

 

[volksnuts]

I have two 1up racks, an HD single and a triple
I like them because of the serviceability AND they hold the bikes by the tire only

I’d have to look at what bolts you are afraid they would undo
I feel like we’ve looked before and there isn’t much you could do with a proper locked bike (they sell those locks that go through the wheels’ lockdown arm things)

lol looks like the bike is WAY bigger than the truck in this pic

 

[tkammen270]

The 1up was delivered yesterday. The fit and finish is very nice. Feels secure and stable in the hitch. In the lowest setting I can put the tailgate down but it does come very close to touching. I wish I could use my own locking hitch pin but the channel in the rack does not align well with the hole in the hitch. You need to use the skinny metal one 1up provides.

 

[Noahma]

I went with a set of Yakima cross bars and a Yakima rack. Works brilliantly for me. I do have a hitch mount rack as well, but I am deathly afraid of being rear ended and the bike getting destroyed so I dont use it much.

 

[EveryDayNick]

Currently own two Bomber Straps. Love them. I ride 1-3 times a week.

Will be upgrading to a 1up simply due to added security after a ride. I have a nice MasterLock Python Cable lock I secure the bike to my tow hinges but do walk away post-ride for drinks often. While it keeps honest people honest, the ease and added security is worth it so upgrading soon.

Pics of my Roscoe 9 (& Buddies,) but also works wonders on my Intense 951 Trail using the Bomber Strap.

NOTE - This is using the Ford Accessories (Factory Installed,) Tri-Fold Cover. Both Bikes are 29" and have no issues. With the 1up I can easily take 3 bikes if need be total.

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