Bike Rack for Front Hitch....Experiences?

[iwski]

I have put a front hitch on my 2011 Dodge 3500 with the intention of hauling bikes, firewood, etc. I am looking into bike racks, but would like to carry 4 bikes (2 adult, 2 child). Does anyone do this on the front? I have seen numerous examples of 2 bikes, but not 4 bikes. Here are the concerns of mine that I'm curious if anyone has experience with:
-Headlight interference
-Sticks out a long way from bumper ~48", ground clearance, etc
-Visibility when driving (bikes visible above hood)
-Bugs on the bikes!

Is it a better idea to put just a 2-bike rack on front and find another spot for the other 2 bikes like a ladder bike rack?

I'm looking at the Highland SportWing 4-bike and the Swagman XTC4. I had never seen a SportWing and did not realize a rack existed that uses the inside of the rim to hold the bike level and stable. Great idea, reviews say they're well built. Since there is not much rise on the main tube, I'm really concerned about ground clearance. The Swagman XTC4 looks like it's a little more dependable and the main tube is on an angle for what appears to be better ground clearance. Put the taller adult bikes closest to the truck and the kids bikes out front because they're shorter and the mounts are higher.
These photos are owned by etrailer.

Highlander SportWing first, then Swagman XTC4. Last photo is an identical truck to mine with a front 2-bike rack.

[Reelescape1]

Thule here also. No problems other than bugs. WD-40 takes care of them.

[ejfranz]

Could not get picture to load.
I use to carry 4 bikes in front. I did drill and tap the front hitch so that the bike rack did not move. We did a trip across Canada and were on the road for 8 weeks and had no issues with the bikes on the front. I removed the seats on 2 of the bikes and made plugs so that the seat posts did not fill with water in the rain. Outer most bike did get covered with bugs and my wife's comfort bike did get water in the front suspension. Both my son's and my free ride bikes did not have any issues. I would suggest placing some type of padding between the bikes if they touch.

[bobndot]

billyray50 wrote:

billtex wrote:


This picture has 3 bikes...but we do carry 4 frequently. Rack is a BVG, very beefy...darn thing must weigh 75#. It locks and holds the bikes very securely.
We have travelled x-xountry 2x with this setup.

Bill

Great pic!!!

:R That is a beefy rack, it looks like it's built like a rock ! :R

(sorry , I couldn't resist )

[billyray50]

billtex wrote:


This picture has 3 bikes...but we do carry 4 frequently. Rack is a BVG, very beefy...darn thing must weigh 75#. It locks and holds the bikes very securely.
We have travelled x-xountry 2x with this setup.

Bill

Great pic!!!

[billtex]

wintersun wrote:
I care too much for my bikes to put them on the front of any vehicle I have owned where they pick up all the road crud thrown up by cars and trucks ahead of me.

With your SUV I would go to a roof rack where they are out of the way, do not affect towing or parking, and are less likely get stolen.

What kind of bikes do you have?
We would love to see a picture of them with your TC...

[wintersun]

I care too much for my bikes to put them on the front of any vehicle I have owned where they pick up all the road crud thrown up by cars and trucks ahead of me.

With your SUV I would go to a roof rack where they are out of the way, do not affect towing or parking, and are less likely get stolen.

[lasttruck]

When we carried bikes, it was two of them on a Thule rack. I removed the seats and dropped the handlebars so that there was little showing above the hood to obstruct the view.

Tend to be in campsite by mid-afternoon, so night driving with bikes on the front is an unknown.

Lot's of bugs (less in the radiator). No real problems. If we were to carry bikes again, we would do the same.

[billtex]

iwski wrote:
Thanks for the responses so far. I had not thought about the headlights reflecting back into your eyes from the rims of the bikes. My Dodge's headlights are down somewhat low compared to a truck like billtex's older Chevy cat-eye headlights. Not sure if that would help or not.

Our truck has the OE "driving lights" which are down low...this helps a lot.
The only time we have any glare is with the high beams...which I don't like anyway...the driving lights give a nice broad light path on our truck.
Never had any problems with heat/airflow...even driving for days in 100* temps.
We find the front rack very convenient...it is easy to get bikes on/off.
I agree some Folks might find it unsettling having the bikes up front...both DW and I are used to it now...it is the best solution for us.
I like the bikes where I can see them, I would not trust a ladder rack, and anything in the back gets filthy from the backdraft.
It's one of those things you'll have to try yourself and see if it works for you...

Bill

[iwski]

Thanks for the responses so far. I had not thought about the headlights reflecting back into your eyes from the rims of the bikes. My Dodge's headlights are down somewhat low compared to a truck like billtex's older Chevy cat-eye headlights. Not sure if that would help or not.

[stevenal]

The headlights reflecting off the rims is blinding. A 10 minute nighttime test drive was enough to convince me this was a very unsafe idea, and went for a utility trailer instead.

[billtex]

This picture has 3 bikes...but we do carry 4 frequently. Rack is a BVG, very beefy...darn thing must weigh 75#. It locks and holds the bikes very securely.
We have travelled x-xountry 2x with this setup.

Bill

[llavaseur]

I use this one, its very secure and lockable.

http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-Racks/Swagman/S64400.html

[jmcgsd]

I got nailed by the CHP in California several years ago for an obscured front license plate. Had a 50cc dirt bike on a carrier.

[Dick_B]

2 bikes on front and two folding bikes elsewhere. Bikes bounce around with bad roads. We carry two and support with several bunges.
Lots of previous discussion on this Forum.

[owenssailor]

We use the Swagman 2 bike rack on the front of our truck. Very satisfied with it. It has good road clearance and holds the bikes secure.