molardog - I sure understand - when we had kids along (and dogs) we just LOVED our Suburban. And I also understand the emotion against the dog. I carry a similar emotion against the sign post in a parking garage that put a dimple in my rear chrome bumper. Amazing how an extremely slow creep (back up parking) can still carry the force to push a mounting bolt into a dent.
Dodge guy - I think an extra advantage of the ratchet straps setup is it lifts the weight of the bikes, thus moving rear bumper weight forward to the tongue! I think it's called weight distribution straps.(JK guys).