Bike Racks for Trucks

9/03/2011

Smittybilt 2740 Textured Black Universal I-Rack Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Good idea, but it won't work with a stock JK wheel. AFTER I bought it, I found that bit of information buried in the fine print of the instruction sheet. With the required over size wheel and tire you add too much weight for the stock spare tire carrier for my comfort level; so, If you buy new wheels and tires and an after market, bumper mounted spare tire carrier, this might be a good way to carry an extra gas can, OR, there's Ebay to sell the one you bought, but didn't know you couldn't use until after it's delivered and the return shipping is about the same as the cost of the item. Here's a quote directly from [...] "Attaches to any factory or aftermarket Jeep tire carrier". That is partly true, but then an "oh by the way" at the bottom of the description you get this "* Recommended for use with After Market Tire Carriers & Works Only with Aftermarket wheels with a 2.5" plus center bore only * They did add the word "aftermarket" recently to that sentence which will help, but not as much as bold print at the top of the description would. Returning 50lbs of steel is expensive.

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9/02/2011

Thule 9001 Raceway 2, 2 Bike Trunk Rack Review

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(More customer reviews)New for model year 2011 is the Thule raceway 2 and 3. I purchased the Raceway 2 from Niagara Cycle works because they are offering the model for $ 197 ($230 is the normal retail) with free shipping and no tax. Decision to buy online is a no brainer. Package arrived comprimised but goods were intact. Bike rack is incredibly easy to use and locks in place to prevent theft. I have used the rack several times and it is solid for what appears to be mostly polymer construction. Rack folds easily and stores in truck when you do not want it in the way or to prevent theft. One could purchase a cheaper bike rack for a fraction of the cost, but Thule has a reputation for quality products and has impressed this customer. I do not believe I will need another bike rack soon but when the time comes I would purchase another from Thule.
Pros - Incredibly easy to use.
- Folds when not in use.
- Fast setup (can mount on a car in a few minutes, takedown in seconds)
- Has locks for both bike and car (to prevent someone from jacking the actual rack).
Cons
- Lock works however for the price paid it should feel more study. Key seems like it might break under heavy stress.
- Rubber molds can be ripped off if not careful, but would take some effort.
- Price; not actually a con but I feel the price will scare potential customers from purchasing this hassle free bike rack.

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Thule Quick Draw Carrier Review

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(More customer reviews)I accidentally put these quick draw tie down rachets to the test and they definitely passed. The hardware (metal hook and rachet on the other end) were pushed to the brink and didn't break.
I took my kayak off the top of my car and threw the two Thule draw lines forward ahead of the car. They were still hooked to the undercarriage, but my plan was to take care of that once I had taken the kayak of the roof. Moved the kayak, jumped in the Element and backed up 50 feet or so. The lines were still in front of me, attached to the car. Why I didn't see them, I don't know. Then I pulled forward. That's when pushed the two Thule lines to the limit. Within seconds I heard a horrible grind sound and then a snap. Stopped the car and realized what I had done. One line was snapped, but the other was fine. The hardware (hooks and rachets) were all still completely functional, although a little scuffed. The weakest link was the one that broke - one of the fabric lines - after being strained by the pull of a few thousand pound vehicle.
That the hardware stood up to such stress indicates to me that this set can take a real beating. As for the one cord that broke, something had to give. And in a real world situation (not one about stupidity, but the weight of just a kayak) the only way a line might break would be after it was obviously aged and weakened.
Besides that, these are a breeze to use and you can secure your kayak to your vehicle really fast.

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Carver Surf Rack - Mini Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been using this rack system here on North Shore for almost six years. In those six years I've put many many many miles on my bicycles and on this rack system. I've actually got a rack on each bike that I own and none have failed.
Aside from transporting my surfboards up and down North Shore, I've used my CSR to transport wood and lumber, as well as it secures my heavy tripod for my camera quite well. Also if you set your boards in just right, you can fit two short boards in it without damaging anything. Trust me!
Aloha Nui,
B.H. - Jims House

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9/01/2011

Ford Freestyle Roof Rack Cross Bars Review

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(More customer reviews)These racks are easy to assemble and install in about twenty minutes. They seem sturdy and look nice as well. My only beef is that they whistle while driving but you can always turn up the radio.

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Rightline Gear 100S30 PackRight Sport 3 Car Top Carrier Review

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(More customer reviews)Moved from Tampa,FL to Houlton,ME.
Pros: You can fit a ton of luggage in this thing. Left me with lots of room in my Durango. I filled this thing up with 6 large suitcases, filled it til it could barely zip up. Never had a problem with the load shifting once it was strapped in and loaded. I did however have to tighten the straps up every time I stopped for gas, not very much but it did loosen up a little bit. I don't know if it was because of the rain or if I didn't strap it correctly.(read cons)
Cons: If you want to keep your stuff dry you have to buy a liner separately. It rained every single day throughout my trip
and needless to say all my luggage was soaked along with most of my clothes. My fault for not buying the liner but not that big of a deal really, just had to wash everything over again. Also the straps were a bit confusing for me. Maybe I'm just a dummy. Took me a few minutes to figure out where and how to put the straps because the directions they send you aren't very detailed.
Overall I would recommend this item to anyone that plans to make a move and has quite a bit of luggage/cargo to take and wants to have the free space in your vehicle. I would STRONGLY suggest buying the liner so your stuff doesn't get soaked like mine did.

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The Rightline Gear PackRight Sport 3 Car Top Carrier is a superior car top carrier solution for mid-sized to large vehicles. Designed specifically for SUVs and minivans, this 18 cubic foot car top carrier features dual level polyester / PVC outer and inner construction, as well as unique zipper technology that together ensure that the damaging effects of weather and water are kept away from your stowed items. Couple all this with the Sport 3's compatibility with vehicles both with or without roof racks and a range of available accessories, and you have a luggage accessory that road savvy SUV and minivan owners should consider.
Haul your gear with or without a car rack.View larger.

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Schwinn 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack Review

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(More customer reviews)The set-up was easy and the bikes were easy enough to load, but when used in a 2-in. hitch it wobbles like crazy! I was a nervous wreck just driving across town watching our bikes sway 45 degrees on every right turn. I had a neighbor who knows alot about bike racks look at it and he said it was assembled right, but it's just not that tight in a 2 inch hitch.

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Get your motor running and head out to your favorite bike trails with the Schwinn 158R hitch rack, which can carry four bikes. Perfect for sedans, minivans, and SUVs, this rack is designed to be installed quickly and without tools. It offers easily adjustable support arms, bike hold-downs that separate and firmly hold the bikes, and a narrow frame configuration that fits a wider array of bikes. Its fold-away design allows for rear vehicle access, and it completely folds down for compact, convenient storage. This rack fits 1-1/4" and 2" square hitches.
About Schwinn Founded in 1895, Schwinn is an American icon that has been synonymous with quality and innovation. They have built some of the best-known and best loved bikes of numerous generations--Aerocycle, Paramount, Phantom, Varsity, Sting-Ray, Krate and Homegrown. Today, Schwinn continues to be a leader in the industry with innovative bikes such as the new Sting-Ray, Rocket mountain bikes, and Fastback road bikes. With a continued dedication to quality, forever synonymous with the Schwinn name, America's most famous bicycle brand looks forward to providing another century of innovation, freedom and performance to people of all ages.

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