Bike Rack for Car

“I would like to be able to bring my family's four bikes to places that have safe paths for all day bike riding. I have a Chrysler Minivan and and would like to get a hitch and rack to carry the bikes. I can fit one or two bikes inside the van, but it is awkward to pack other camping stuff and have the bikes in there. What is the best strongest safest option?”

“We have a Yakima roof rack. Works great for us on our small wagon. Also can handle skiis and gear box/basket.

But imagine a roof rack could be a bit of a pain on a van.”

“I have a Subaru Outback. WOuld it be better to have a roof rack on that or a tailgate rack on the van?”

“We just put a Thule bike rack on our Outback. It fits to the factory rack on top. You can put maybe 3 or 4 racks on there. Works great. We also got the Evoloution box for skis in the winter. It fits right onto the factory rack as well.”

“Okay, I would definitly have to be able to fit four bikes on the Subaru roof, because the trunk is too small for gear and a bike.”

“I have a hitch mount bike rack. It's made by Bauer and swings away so I can open the tailgate on my Tahoe. It's weird to describe, but the bikes swing so that they are parallel to the right side of the vehicle. My bike rack can hold 2 bikes, but they make ones that can hold up to four. The receiver hitch mounted bike rack offers very little wind resistance since they ride behind your vehicle. My rack locks the top tube in place and I put a cable lock through all four wheels. The rack is also locked to the hitch via a hitch receiver lock. I use a bungee strap to keep the bikes from swinging and some pipe insulation cut down the middle to slip over fram parts where they may rub together during the ride.”

“fram=frame”

“I have Thule roof rack for my van. I didn't want a rack for the back bumper because if you have an expensive bike and someone hits you from behind the bike may be history. You do have to be careful with the roof rack and be aware that bikes are on top and don't try pulling into garages or fast food joints. I haven't used mine in years and now I just put the bike in the back of the van. It was good when my friends used to go bike touring with me, but now they've all either quit riding, got married or moved away.”

“i need a bike rack too, Lyndy! taking off the wheels and putting them in the back seat gets old. oh right, and i'll also be needing a car to go with that bike rack, since my stupid transmission is going.”

“I mounted a regular bike rack on my spare tire. The problem with that is the bike is not centered on the back of the car, so next time I'd get one made for the spare tire. I can open and close the wayback door with the rack and the bike on.

My rack holds three bikes, but I've only had three on a couple of times. You have to pad things then, or risk scratches and such. I can't recommend a particular rack or brand, but I'd read the weight and speed limits - mine is only "safe" up to 60mph. :)”

“Well there you are, lyra! I used to shove my bike in the back of the car (the old Subaru) but finally got a Yakima rack, the kind you take the front wheel off and clamp it in, for that one. The Thule works pretty well on the Outback, tho.”

“twigeater said "mounted".”

“All I can say is racks are expensive as f%$#. I dropped more than $300 for mine (for kayaking). Thank God they have locks.”

“I love my yakima roof rack. BUT one time I did drive into the carport with the bike in the rack... scratched the roof of my car, bent the bike rack and destroyed the bike seat... I will probably never do it again though, I still have nightmares 10 years later”

“haaa-waahhhh, i want an Outback!!

once, these people were in a real hurry to get a parking space before me, and they started backing right up into my car before i had a chance to move...with their bikes on the back of it. i was beeping at them and backing up the whole time they were smashing them into me, LOL!! i thought that was pretty funny. i don't know whether they just didn't see me, or if they forgot their bikes were on there.”

“I think that having the roof rack is exactly what I want. That way the hubby and kids can't choose fast food over good food (the drive-thru is too much of a temptation for my husband (to save time of course, wink wink). Lots of money, eh? That is not good. I hate when I want stuff that I can't pay for.”

“Racks unfortunately are expensive. I think my Thule with 3 bike mounts was around $400 and that was years ago. I don't know what they are now.”

“check out yard sales,, I've found some pretty good deals that way, and use a permanently mounted front rack( 2 bikes, $1) and a removable rear carrier( 3 bikes, $2). Reese makes a really good 4 bike carrier, that fit's the 2" reciever, plus lets you tow at the same time, good luck!”

“We have a Thule hitching post for my truck that holds 4 bikes very well. Needs a Reese style hitch, and prevents us from opening the tailgate, unless we swing it down. We can carefully do that with the bikes on it.

We also have two bike racks for the roof(Thule), bigmouth's I think they call them. You don't have to remove the front tires. They are way convenient for the car. Can fit at least 4 across a minivan roof.”