Bike Rack for 05 OBW Wife Use

[G.R. Aydelotte]

Hello all,

I bought an 05 OBW with the tow package. My intentions were to use the
receiver hitch for a 4 bike rack. Bought a Yakima King Pin 4 bike rack
with an adaptor to go from 2" receiver to 1.25", so I could use on my
Toyota and my wife's OBW. Problem is that at 31 lbs for the rack and
difficulty of mounting into receiver, my wife struggle with using this
rack. Even after getting it onto the car, she is having trouble
lifting a 25 lbs bike and placing it over the arms, etc. The Yakima is
pretty high even mounted on the OBW. In short, is there another hitch
type rack that would be easier for a person of limited strength to
use? What about the Subaru hitch rack; it supposedly is made to
require less lifting? Other brands? I've read some of the posts on
hitch typevbike racks, but none specific for this situation.

Gregg

 

[Alan]

We use the Sportster. It is different than other racks in that the bikes sit
on their wheels, and are held down by a spring-loaded or ratcheted
(depending on the model) arm. It folds up to a vertical position when not in
use, so it can stay on the car. To access the rear hatch, just lower the
rack (it is hinged). My wife can lift her bike onto it with no problem. The
rack is fairly expensive, though (two-bike version is around $250.) It can
also be locked to the hitch, and the bikes locked to the rack using a
Kryptonite cable and lock. I also use a tiny master lock instead of a cotter
pin on the bolt (prevents loss or theft of the pin). Best rack we ever
bought.

 

[busterb]

(e-mail address removed)...

Two options: 1. Get a stronger wife 2. Get a lighter bike. Honestly,
30 lbs is not a heck of a lot. Leave the rack on the car as long as
it folds down there shouldnt be a problem.

 

[harv]

We use the Sportster. It is different than other racks in that the bikes sit
on their wheels, and are held down by a spring-loaded or ratcheted
(depending on the model) arm. It folds up to a vertical position when not in
use, so it can stay on the car. To access the rear hatch, just lower the
rack (it is hinged). My wife can lift her bike onto it with no problem. The
rack is fairly expensive, though (two-bike version is around $250.) It can
also be locked to the hitch, and the bikes locked to the rack using a
Kryptonite cable and lock. I also use a tiny master lock instead of a cotter
pin on the bolt (prevents loss or theft of the pin). Best rack we ever
bought.

I Have a Sportworks hitch rack. Seems to be what Alan is describing. I think
Saris also makes a hitch rack with wheel trays. I use mine with a recumbent
but the trick I learned should apply to a diamond frame bike too; put one
wheel into the tray and then lift the other wheel in. Easier than picking up
the whole bike. This would only work for the outermost tray in the system,
though. www.sportworks.com