Hitch-mounted bike rack advice

Black Bloc

Our hitch mounted 2-bike Hollywood rack is a pain in the arm to set up by the time all the straps and buckles are pulled tight. It isn't great quality either. The two rubber strap that hold the bikes in the frame are very iffy fittings. The rack fastens on the ball of the tow hook, then the frame is hooked and strapped to the rear of the jeep. Anyone doing better hitch mounted systems in Ireland? I have seen a few ads and reviews of the Yakima system and it looks good. Is it sold here? Also I'd like a rack that tilts when the back lid needs to be opened.

Morgan

Thule ones are readily available from places like Halfords.

http://www.thule.com/en-GB/IE/Products/BikeCarriers.aspx

Diarmuid

I got a great deal on this from halfords last year. http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_172555_langId_-1_categoryId_212597

Got it for about €130, it's a great rack

Black Bloc

Diarmuid wrote: »

I got a great deal on this from halfords last year. http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_172555_langId_-1_categoryId_212597

Got it for about €130, it's a great rack

Checked their website. Looks good. Does it fit over the tow ball or must the tow hook be removed? Is it very stable? And finally how do you stop the bikes rubbing off one another? Thanks

Diarmuid

Black Bloc wrote: »

Checked their website. Looks good. Does it fit over the tow ball or must the tow hook be removed? Is it very stable? And finally how do you stop the bikes rubbing off one another? Thanks

It fits over the tow ball.
It seems very stable. It hasn't come off so far There are 190 reviews on the halfords site. Check them out
The bikes are separated by a bar, onto which the bikes straped. Look in the enlarged picture on the halfords site. The bikes don't move so shouldn't rub off each other

sy

Have one too. Very stable and safe. Rear lights and number plate platform part of the unit.

ashleey

Got a Thule rack and drove to France fully loaded. The 3 bikes were perfect afterwards and I got the model that tilts forward so you can open the boot without removing the rack. Thule cost more but you are paying for the excellent design. Also the lighting rack means you won't be breaking the law. Thule g5 909

Black Bloc

ashleey wrote: »

Got a Thule rack and drove to France fully loaded. The 3 bikes were perfect afterwards and I got the model that tilts forward so you can open the boot without removing the rack. Thule cost more but you are paying for the excellent design. Also the lighting rack means you won't be breaking the law. Thule g5 909

Thanks. The Thule looks robust but it is pricey.

Anyone tried out on of these http://www.micksgarage.ie/proddetails.aspx?pid=129586&pk=70B45

Much cheaper but I can't turn up 'Green Valley' as a bike rack brand in Google.

fat bloke

I got an Athera Strada one a couple of years ago. Great bit of kit but pricey at around 350 quid.

In fairness though, if you're putting bikes worth ten times on it, you want to be able to trust the rack. This keeps the bikes completely separate too, no rubbing or scratching

Diarmuid

Black Bloc wrote: »

Thanks. The Thule looks robust but it is pricey.

Anyone tried out on of these http://www.micksgarage.ie/proddetails.aspx?pid=129586&pk=70B45

Much cheaper but I can't turn up 'Green Valley' as a bike rack brand in Google.

The Thule one is €50 cheaper than the Green Valley rack...

Black Bloc

Sorry thinking of the Thule G5909 price.

Headdy

Thule 972 is just right imo. Its great with a jeep or better with a Pick up. Am thrilled with mine its fast simple secure and tilts

ashleey

I would agree that you want to be safe. If you are doing 100 km/h you would be surprised of the stresses and then you might accelerate to overtake. Get a recognised brand.