Hello All,We have a 2" receiver mounted to the rear bumper of our Travel Trailer and we recently purchased a 4 bike carrier from Wal Mart. We took it on it's first trip and it destroyed the paint on our bikes. No matter what I did it managed to scrape them. It was $150 rack so I thought it was OK but I guess not. We are returning that and looking for another option. The Thule looks great but is awfully expensive. Can anyone make a recommendation for a 4 bike hitch mount carrier? The difficult part seems to be that we have 2 adult sized mountain bikes, and 2 kids bikes that all need to fit. Having the kids bikes always seems to put their bikes near our chain or pedals etc. Should I just spend on the Thule or is there another less expensive option? Thanks!

For previous posts on this popular subject try searching this Forum for `bike rack' and read on. To minimize the responses try searching the results for `four' or `four bikes' or `thule' or `saris', etc.I, personally, would not want to carry four bikes on one rack due to the overhung load and the bouncing around of the bikes due to the bad roads.

Probably out of your price range, but we have a Swagman 2 place rack that we use on the back of our truck when not towing. I also would be leery of our bikes bouncing around on the back of a trailer. But this Swagman 4 place rack is similar to our 2 place rack. Ours is going on 10 years old and has held up very well.

I'm not sure where you live but Thule and Yakima gear out here show up on craisglist as often as the in-laws to a free buffet.We bought a looked new but used 4 bike Thule for a fraction of the price of new. The previous owner wanted it out of their garage toot sweet.

Um, now you know why Thule actually GETS those prices for their units.I second the recommendation to try to find one used.

Swagman XC. This unit holds both tires in place with on bracket holding bike in place. Our bikes don't move and inch. Little pricey but worth it.

Hitch Mount Bike Carrier??? | Good Sam Community

ScottG
Nomad
Apr 22, 2015
When you shop for a bike carrier, check to see if it disallows use with a RV. Many if not most, do.
I have destroyed two different racks. The Swagman was the only brand I could find that stipulated it was OK with a RV. Mine is 9 years old and as solid as the day I installed it.
Then there's the bumper. Inmost cases they aren't strong enough to hold a rack. My bike rack nearly ripped my bumper completely off.
They need to be reinforced. (A spare tire is nothing like a bike carrier so don't think you'll be fine because of that)
TomHaycraft
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
Yakima has never let me down. Pricey, but when my holds up to $4,000 of bikes at times, scratches or damage is not an option.

HoldUp 2 with option to extend for 4 bikes.
bcbouy
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
i had a swagman triple and it was a really good,solid rack.it also tilted down so you can open the tailgate without removing it.well worth the $.
Halmfamily
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
Swagman XC. This unit holds both tires in place with on bracket holding bike in place. Our bikes don't move and inch. Little pricey but worth it.
naturist
Nomad
Apr 22, 2015
Um, now you know why Thule actually GETS those prices for their units.

I second the recommendation to try to find one used.
pconroy328
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
I'm not sure where you live but Thule and Yakima gear out here show up on craisglist as often as the in-laws to a free buffet.

We bought a looked new but used 4 bike Thule for a fraction of the price of new. The previous owner wanted it out of their garage toot sweet.
Campfire_Time
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
Probably out of your price range, but we have a Swagman 2 place rack that we use on the back of our truck when not towing. I also would be leery of our bikes bouncing around on the back of a trailer.

But this Swagman 4 place rack is similar to our 2 place rack. Ours is going on 10 years old and has held up very well.
Dick_B
Explorer
Apr 22, 2015
For previous posts on this popular subject try searching this Forum for `bike rack' and read on. To minimize the responses try searching the results for `four' or `four bikes' or `thule' or `saris', etc.
I, personally, would not want to carry four bikes on one rack due to the overhung load and the bouncing around of the bikes due to the bad roads.

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Hitch Mount Bike Carrier???

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