Bike rack on front receiver

[toddb]

Anyone have recommendations on these? Lots of them seem pretty high, I'd rather not block my vision.

Thx
Todd

[whizbang]

I loved mine front bike rack...

Until the time we drove highway speeds for 3 hours in a heavy rain.

Water forced it's way into all four wheel bearing and both bottom brackets and steering tubes. It took me the better part of a day to dis-assemble and re-grease bearings.

My new motto is: Just say NO to front bike racks.

[toddb]

Thanks for all the input, I think the swagman version may suit our needs the best.

[work2much]

Were is what we use:



Amazon Link

I can see the bikes above the hood but doesn't detract from ability to see the road. I'm sure they block the headlights to some degree but I haven't noticed a lack of vision. We also don't travel at night much.

[hedge]

I have a Kuat Transfer rack that I use on the front. Mine works out pretty well in that it doesn't block the lights. I also used to use a v-wing rack. It was nice because the height of the bikes was adjustable, but the rack itself didn't fold up so that was a pain to have to take it off every time.

[Bubtoofat]

We tried a front bike carrier for a bit but I got tired of driving by feel at night. Pretty much made my headlights unusable.

Mike

[camperdave]

I used to use an old two bar style rack that the bikes hang from.

I now use a Kuat wheel tray style. Both work fine for me. If you're concerned about blocking viability or headlights, it may not be the way to go because any front rack will do some of both.

[stevenal]

LewMichele&Paws wrote:
Too high is right, also, be aware that one or both headlights may be blocked to some degree.

I found that blocking the lights was not the issue. The issue was the reflection of those lights off the rims back into the driver's eyes negatively affecting night vision. A two block test drive was enough for me to opt for a trailer instead.

[owenssailor]

We also use a Swagman rack. It has worked very well over the past 5 years and many thousands of miles. With it the bikes don't swing around. I take one seat off. Visibility is not a problem.

[Halmfamily]

We use a Swagman XC bike rack works great. The wheels ride in brackets with a lock bar holding the frames. Bikes don't move an inch.

[Dick_B]

We have hauled our two bikes that way for years. It can block some vision near the front of the vehicle but not enough to be dangerous. We tie the bikes down with bunge cords to minimize the bouncing but they still do bounce on these bad roads.
Take the seats off for travel.
The receiver was specially made by a qualified welding shop. they could lower it if necessary but watch out for ground clearance when pulling into a parking stall with a curb in front.

[sbryan]

Front mount with a Thule bike rack worked well for us last year from Vermont to Alaska to Florida and back. Headlights shine through the bike spokes fine. No scratches on the truck or bikes and no issue with visibility either. We did pick up a lot of salt on the bikes on the way to Florida in January. YMMV.

[LewMichele_Paws]

Too high is right, also, be aware that one or both headlights may be blocked to some degree. I went with this foldable ebike for the front receiver.

https://www.radpowerbikes.com/products/radmini-electric-folding-fat-bike?variant=5032656863263

[Kayteg1]

That depends on your bike size.
Hanging racks also beat up the bikes, while scratching the truck is possible too.
I liked platform mounts and they make them pretty good lately for $$$.
But for my RV - years ago I bought foldable bike with 3 speed planetary gears.
I can put it in the 2nd row floor in the truck.