Bike Rack for 2" Hitch
Greetings, I just purchased a 2013 Pleasure Way Excel and I'm ready for some fun outings. I want to purchase a sturdy metal rack that can accommodate 2 bicycles. There are many many on the market. ...
Forum Discussion
I added a front-mount receiver to my 2015 HD2500 Silverado to carry a two-bike Kuat rack. I am happy with it, but it is not without issues.
Two companies make a front mount receiver for my truck. One mounts just under the bumper. The other mounts thru the bumper which requires that you move your license plate to one side of the bumper. Not wanting to cut a hole in the bumper, I went with the below bumper version. If I had it to do again, I would have mounted it thru the bumper to get greater ground clearance. (I'm on my second Kuat-supplied hitch lock as I sheared off the first on a concrete parking space curb.
To be able to fold up the rack when empty, I needed to use a receiver extension that moved the rack forward about 3-inches. This defeated the Kuat's device that keeps the hitch from moving around in the receiver. I used a Blue Ox Hitch Receiver Immobilizer which provided a rock solid connection between the receiver and the extension.
The bikes significantly reduce night visibility - to the extent that I avoid driving at night.
The bikes trigger my front parking sensors so I have to disable the sensors every time I start the truck. And yes, there should be a way to configure the parking sensors so they stay off, but according to Chevy, it's a "safety feature" that you have to turn them off every time you startup.
Bottom line is even with the issues, I much prefer having the bikes firmly mounted on the front rather than bouncing around on the back of our 5th wheel.
Two companies make a front mount receiver for my truck. One mounts just under the bumper. The other mounts thru the bumper which requires that you move your license plate to one side of the bumper. Not wanting to cut a hole in the bumper, I went with the below bumper version. If I had it to do again, I would have mounted it thru the bumper to get greater ground clearance. (I'm on my second Kuat-supplied hitch lock as I sheared off the first on a concrete parking space curb.
To be able to fold up the rack when empty, I needed to use a receiver extension that moved the rack forward about 3-inches. This defeated the Kuat's device that keeps the hitch from moving around in the receiver. I used a Blue Ox Hitch Receiver Immobilizer which provided a rock solid connection between the receiver and the extension.
The bikes significantly reduce night visibility - to the extent that I avoid driving at night.
The bikes trigger my front parking sensors so I have to disable the sensors every time I start the truck. And yes, there should be a way to configure the parking sensors so they stay off, but according to Chevy, it's a "safety feature" that you have to turn them off every time you startup.
Bottom line is even with the issues, I much prefer having the bikes firmly mounted on the front rather than bouncing around on the back of our 5th wheel.
