Bike rack recommendation for front of tow vehicle

[Riverdogrj]

I have a receiver on the front of my tow vehicle & want to purchase a bike rack to mount. I want to make sure the bikes ride low enough so as not to obstruct my view. I am thinking of purchasing a tray style so the wheels sit in a tray & therefore ride a bit lower.

Can anyone give me a recommendation as to what works for them?

[Dick_B]

We use Saris Cycle On (old style for a 2 inch receiver) where the bike tires ride in troughs; on the front of our Suburban. With our last vehicle we used a 4 inch drop between the receiver and the rack to get the bikes lower.
The roads are so bad we have to tie down the wheels in the troughs. I wonder how you would keep the tires on the platform from slipping around.

[crosscheck]

Have used this Swagman 4 bike rack for almost 20 years. For our mountain bikes, had to get the top tube adapter from Thule, when we have the straight top tube touring bikes don't need it(the adapter bar). Fits into a standard 2" receiver. We use a security cable with lock to secure bikes so there is no movement on rough roads.



View from the drivers seat



Don't drop bikes too much or you will crunch tire if on rough roads that have protruding rocks,etc.

Dave

[kalynzoo]

When I had the front bike rack, I had a local welding shop make a simple "L" shaped rack, with two forks for the bikes. Used it for a good 12 years or so, until the kids grew up and stopped traveling with us.

[emonkemeier]

We had the bikes to high problem. Bought the Yakima Tube Top adapter bars to lower the bicycles.
Ed

[tvman44]

That is what I have, I believe it is by http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-Racks/Swagman/S64670.html 🙂