Any issues w/ Hitch Racks using 1.25 in Receivers?

[RaiderSPE]

I am looking into adding a trailer hitch on to my Acura Sedan but it will only take a Class I - 1_1/4 inch receiver. Does anyone have any issues with the 1.25 receiver set up. I don't want to get the hitch installed and then not use it because there is too much sway.

If i do not go this route I will probably get the new Saris Bones RS Trunk Rack ( http://www.saris.com/productImages.aspx?PID=301&count=8 ), which was just released. I cant seem to find any reviews on the internet. Has someone tried this one out, or heard much about it.

I tried a bike shop but they did not really answer my questions.

Thanks for the help.

[CRAIG2]

You shouldn't have any issues - I didn't. If you can only find a 2" rack, you can get a 1-1/4" - 2" adapter for about $15.00, if that. I have that setup on my Outback. I haven't noticed any sway - no more than you'd probably have on any hitch rack with the car in motion. Well, maybe a little, but I have a 4-bike hitch.

[pirate]

You shouldn't have any issues - I didn't. If you can only find a 2" rack, you can get a 1-1/4" - 2" adapter for about $15.00, if that. I have that setup on my Outback. I haven't noticed any sway - no more than you'd probably have on any hitch rack with the car in motion. Well, maybe a little, but I have a 4-bike hitch.

This is exactly what I'm planning to do once I sell my roof rack. I've already got the Yakima 2" hitch mount rack... Just need to get the hitch installed. I also couldn't find anyone that sold a 2" hitch for my Jetta.

[CRAIG2]

Yeah, on some cars, it's just not an option. I guess it's because they're just not cars meant for towing or something. We had one put on our van, but that was a full size conversion package and a 350ci V8. Anyway, I've had no problems yet with either set-up.

[crack monkey]

I haven't had any issues on any of the cars I've used with a 1.2" receiver (Miata, Volvo V70, Civic).

[jvanbrecht]

You should not have any issues, I have a 1.25 hitch on my camry hybrid, and it does just fine with my heavy fr bike. I have a Thule bike rack.

http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/product.asp?dept_id=8&sku=917

[RaiderSPE]

Did you install the trailer hitch yourself, the markup of 100 bucks seems expensive for a shop to install?

[allencb]

I'm getting ready to install my hitch on my 2003 Camry, I'll let you know how it goes. :)

It can't be too hard, it's only a few bolts.

Chris

[crack monkey]

Did you install the trailer hitch yourself, the markup of 100 bucks seems expensive for a shop to install?

It depends on the car. Most cars, it's very easy, between .5-1 hour.

On a few cars, it's a bit harder. Sometimes the holes used to mount the hitch are only located on one side of an enclosed frame rail. So, you have to use some combination of sliding nuts down bent coat hangers to get everything in place. This was the case in two of the three cars I've installed (Miata and Caprice). The Volvo was easier, with no access issues.

That said, none of them took more than 1.5 hours to install.

[jvanbrecht]

I had min installed (it was part of my xmas gift, the bike rack was the other part).
Having an 07 car, I decided to let the shop deal with the problems, and cover any dmg should they cause any.

[philvw]

I've installed several hitches on several cars, including two Camry's. I currently drive a '99. Normally you just have to crawl under the car and remove the bolts that hold the bumper into the "frame" (unibody cars dont really have a 'frame', but I digress). Then you have to have someone help you hold the hitch up there and replace these bolts through the hitch into the original home. The nuts are part of the bumper assembly, so there is no moving, slipping, holding, etc. On one car I remember I had to drill and add one more bolt that wasnt originally on the car, but once bolted up there with the bumper bolts, locating, drilling and installing wasnt a real issue as long as you can find your way around an electric hand drill. The instructions are really straight forward and vehicle specific, and except for that one I had to drill takes all of, like ten minutes.
I bought my "Hidden Hitch" online from someplace in PA, and yes, I too use a 1 1/4" receiver. Without issue. And I have a homemade rack made out angle iron and Performance fork mounts. Cost me like $50 all together. Needs another coat of paint tho.

[CRAIG2]

I'm independently wealthy, so I just paid to have it installed. Actually, I just wanted someone to do it that knew what they were doing. :rolleyes:

[allencb]

I'm cheap and handy, so I'll be doing it myself.

Like Red Green sez, "If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy".

Chris

[RaiderSPE]

Gotcha, seemed like it would be a pretty easy Job. Thanks for all the info.

[CRAIG2]

Famous last words... heheheheheheheheh :D

[pazzo]

Raider, what kind of Acura do you have? I have a TSX and am looking at rack options too. It's either the Bones RS or a hitch. If you make a decision, pls let me know how it works out.

[allencb]

FWIW, I just got finished installing my hitch. It took me all of 20 minutes. I removed 4 bolts. The driver's side was merely holding the factory tie-downs, the passenger side was holding another tie-down and an exhaust hanger. Installation was a matter of positioning the rack and installing the appropriate bolts. On the passenger side, I also had to include exhaust hanger.

I was too lazy to get my floor jack and I'm not strong enough to hold the hitch in place with one hand while installing the bolts, so I lifted one end, installed a bolt partially, then did the other end.

Chris

[RaiderSPE]

Thread is pretty old but wanted to give an update. . . I purchased the Saris Bones RS (Ratchet Strap) Trunk Rack.

Very nice, heavy, easy to mount (a little more difficult if you have a spoiler), extremely sturdy, and locks to the car. Overall it is a great rack but expensive.

[darren]

I installed my Hidden hitch 1/1/4 on my element, and It went on quick, and I thought everything was great until I put 4 bikes on the Rack. The Hitch not the Rack Flexes, so on bumpy roads the Bikes move up and down. What is moving is the Welded hitch part, so as long as the Weld holds I am fine, but a little annoying, I guess If I used the official Honda Hitch it wouldn't bob up and down a little bit. I only use this for trips, I normally carry my bike inside the Car.

[macdaid]

You got any pics of that technique?
It sounds ingenious!

Pls share!



... you have to use some combination of sliding nuts down bent coat hangers to get everything in place.....

[crack monkey]

'Fraid not. It was the Caprice that required that technique, and the instructions provided explained it. The Volvo and Miata were much easier and didn't require anything unusual.

That said, I did have problems fitting one of the Performance brand hitch racks on my Miata. The receiver is too far under the bumper, so the rack wouldn't slide far enough into it to get the pin through. My Thule has a longer hitch portion and works fine.

[eloach]

I have not seen any 1 1/4 hitch racks that take 4 bikes. The 1 1/4 stuff I have seen is all 2 bikes setup. I have been using a 1 1/4 Performance brand "tire holder" rack for about a year. Go for the tire holder model if you can get one. It sure beats anything else I have used.

IMO, the Performance model is flimsy at the hitch connection. I normally only put one bike on it, so no big deal. I feel like 60 pounds or more on it might be asking for trouble. I'll upgrade it when I get the cash and find something I think is enough better to warrant the expenditure. I only paid $99 on "super sale" for the rack. A lot of top racks that are similar sell for $300-$400.

[eloach]

I installed my Hidden hitch 1/1/4 on my element, and It went on quick, and I thought everything was great until I put 4 bikes on the Rack. The Hitch not the Rack Flexes, so on bumpy roads the Bikes move up and down. What is moving is the Welded hitch part, so as long as the Weld holds I am fine, but a little annoying, I guess If I used the official Honda Hitch it wouldn't bob up and down a little bit. I only use this for trips, I normally carry my bike inside the Car.


I'd watch that sucker real close. I was told by the Saturn dealer most 1 1/4 hitches are not strong enough to carry more than two bikes. Most hitches list a tongue weight limit. I think mine is 500 pounds (Factory Saturn Vue). That's a lot more than two bikes. So I don't know what the real deal is, but if your hitch it's moving... yow! My rack moves with two heavy bikes, but the flex is in the metal of the rack, not the hitch. What would you think if you had flex in a weld on one of your bikes? I am thinking a high end rack like the one Philman has on his truck is the long term solution.

In the past, I have only carried my 18 pound road bike long distance. However, I am thinking that two or more MTBs up to Kingdom Trails later this summer = new rack required.

[mtnbkr]

The T2 from Thule only allows for the 4 bike option (2 standard + 2 optional) if you've got a 2" hitch. However, the Saris Cycleon allows for a the 4 bike (2 standard + 2 optional) with either the 2" or the 1 1/4". Looking at the typical tongue weight on class I hitches, two bikes is probably all you'd want to put. Move up to class 2, 1 1/4" hitch, then a 4 bike shouldn't be an issue. I personally have a class I 1 1/4" hitch using a T2 and don't have any issue carrying you're average XC mtn bike.