One of the easiest and most aerodynamic ways to carry your bikes with you on your vehicle is with a hitch-mounted rack. Hitch racks are easy to install, generally light and sturdy, and very easy to load bikes onto. Hitch racks are positioned behind your vehicle, keeping them from creating much additional drag, and there’s no risk of you damaging your precious cargo when driving into an underground parking garage. These racks are attached to your car by a hitch receiver of two standard sizes- either 1 1/4″ or 2″.
Most racks, like Yakima’s extremely popular Dr. Tray, are available in both 1 1/4 and 2″ sizes. If your vehicle doesn’t have a hitch on it already, you’ll need to have one installed. It’s always good to price-compare when having a hitch installed, but expect to pay around $150-200 to have the unit bolted or welded in place. (and a note for those with foot-activated tailgates and backup-cameras- consult your dealer before having a hitch installed, please!)
If you’re going to invest that amount of money into your rack system, you want to know that you’re getting the most functional product for your money- so the question becomes: will you be better served with an 1 1/4″ or 2″ receiver?
The answer is dependant on what vehicle you drive. A 2″ receiver is stronger, rated for higher loads, and allows you to do more with it (like towing a boat, for example) but requires more of your car as well. While the 2″ receiver itself is heavier, the racks that you attach to them (the part where you’ll notice additional weight) are often lighter.
Most smaller cars are limited to 1 1/4″ hitch receivers. The reason for this generally comes down to liability. The tongue weight capacity of a class I hitch (the standard 1 1/4″ size) is lower than a class II (2″) hitch. Designers of smaller vehicles want to limit the potential towing capability of their cars, so they add smaller hitches so that the owner isn’t tempted to try and haul their 5130b excavator up the side of Mt. Ventoux in their Corolla. Your specialty rack-dealer will be able to guide you in the right direction when choosing a hitch receiver for your vehicle, and never fear- there’s a Yakima rack that will fit your car just fine!
Yakima have a fantastic number of resources available for anyone interested in carrying bikes on their car. Their hitch fit guide is particularly useful in determining how a rack will sit on your vehicle, and which rack will fit best. And don’t forget that your friendly neighbourhood LTP Sports dealer can also help you choose the right rack for your bikes and vehicle, and they can help you install it too!