Bike racks, so many choices

Thanks again for the help. Having the bikes with us on our 2100 mile round trip to the 4 corners made the trip awesome. Curt front hitch with swagman rack.

Thanks again for all the info. Just ordered the Swagman rack and Curt hitch.

I have used Hidden-Hitch on front of our last 3 trucks...1 hr install, no cutting of fascia, bolt-on, tow hooks remain in place.
B

curt

I am using the Curt front hitch on the 2011 F350. Good quality hitch and not difficult to install.

Thanks for all the reply's. This has helped me a lot. For those of you using the Swagman rack what front hitch are you using it with? I am looking at the Curt and the Draw-Tite front hitches.

Thanks again

I have two of the Swagmans on two fords. One for five years and one for three years. Both racks have held up well. The 99 F250 worked well without modifications. On the 2011 F350 I had to have welded on a six inch extension to move the rack away and up from the bumper to give it four inches more ground clearance due to the lower front hitch. I am happy with them and would buy again. This is the model I have http://www.swagman.net/products/platform-racks/traveler-xc-2-rv/

Swagman.. This is one of their heavier duty units. I removed the folding mechanism and welded a 2" tube to the bottom. I also welded some 1x2 inbetween the bike racks. This was to support a 5gl diesel can and a 2 gallon gas can. This setup has worked flawless over 8000 miles with 2 trips in baja.

The bike rack was desinged for the rear of the truck and stuck out far enough you could lower the tailgate if the pedals were in the right position. I did not want this unit 3' in front and that is why I took the folding mechanism off. I get lots of great looks when I head out for a ride with no camper and the bikes on the front. It does affect the lights a little at night.[img][/img]

I currently own three different types of hitch mounted racks.
All three that I currently own carry the bike on a tray vice holding the bike via the top tube. I had a rack like that once. Not any more. I have too much time, cash and emotional investment into my bikes to subject them to a hanging style rack these days.

I don't carry bikes on the front, though I do have a front hitch. On the TC, I have one of these:

1st true swing away tray style rear rack


But, it can only carry two bikes. I've tried to use it to carry 3. 2 is all I trust it for. I'm using trays from a Thule T2, which is this one: Thule T2

Now, I have this one: MWE Bladerunner It can take virtually any style of hitch mounted rack and turn it into a swing away rack. I'll be using my original Thule T2 with 2 bike add on kit (for 4 bikes total).

For my car, I have one of these: The EASIEST to use hitch mounted rack you can find

Made of aluminum, modular, and a total breeze to use. No lock either to keep it in the hitch...you need a special (it is pretty darn special) allen wrench to remove the rack from the hitch. Because my car has the 1.25" receiver, I can only carry two bikes with the base that I have on this one. Otherwise, the rack would go onto the MWE blade runner above for the lightest weight and easiest to use swing away 4 bike tray style hitch mounted bike rack one can find.

just ordered a Thule Apex 4 (9027) Swingaway bike rack for my rear receiver. i ordered this type/model so as to have access to the entry door with the bike rack attached.