new bike rack and hitch install thread

congrats post some pics of the bikes, I see your a rodie and a mountain goat lol. My current ride is a Salsa Big Mama, Ill be getting a hitch rack soon cheers to less scratches!

 

I just installed the Torklift EcoHitch 2" on my prius and am expecting the 1UP black 2 bike rack from UPS today.

The Torklift hitch does require some cutting of some sheet metal on the rear of the car along with the plastic panel underneath. It'll take you about 3 hours or so to install.

The end product is relatively hidden and very sturdy.

 

Sounds cool, looking forward to the pics!

Why is the ecohitch called the ecohitch when the curt hitch only weighs 30lbs?
And why does it cost nearly 3x as much?

Those racks look nice. I looked at those but unfortunately the Sherpa doesn't fit a wide enough wheelbase for one of my bikes. And the NV is really cool especially with the integrated work stand, but I that sucker is too wide. So I went with the very compact Yakima Holdup instead. Same weight as the NV but much narrower when folded up. Too bad it's not as light as the Sherpa. But it's definitely rock solid. No movement of the bikes when in use. Looking forward to your experience with the Sherpa.

 

Any updates? Was looking forward to pics.

 

I have the Curt Hitch with a Thule Helium. Really like that the Helium is light aluminum and can hold three bikes. Hatch opens without having to tilt the rack. Great combination.

 

Got my bike rack last week and tested it yesterday with 2 bikes. It hold the bikes really well. Got the Sportrack EZ2 premium bike rack. Not the best but does an excellent job. Comes equiped with locks for hitch and the bikes - no cables required.

 

Hi.

I am considering both the Torklife EcoHitch and a 1 up bike rack (single bike with an add-on) and was wondering how you would rate both products.

 

I think the Torklift hitch is probably the most stout available, it's the most concealed (only see the receiver) and I love the 1up rack simply for its all aluminum construction.

The negatives:

The Torklift requires some minimal cutting of the sheet metal
I don't like the mechanism on the 1up for folding the rack up and down - it works but it's hard to engage.

 

I have some questions about your (Pictured) Thule Helium Rack... 1.) I was wondering if you could give me a measurement from whatever point it attaches to the bike to the ground? (2) What part of the Bike frame does the rack attach to? The reason I ask is that I have a 36" (Not a typo-- its really 36") "Monster Cruiser" and I'm afraid the wheels may drag on the ground if the attachment point is not high enough? I've seen one other helium buyer griping about this issue. I have just purchased the 2" Torklift Eco hitch reciever. 4.) Is this compatible with the Thule helium? Looks like smaller than 2" on your rack? I like that you can still access the hatch so easily with the rack mounted. Thanks in advance...

 

Yes it is, that is my setup, those are items are compatible. I don't have the rack on right now to make the requested measurements, but am guessing that the bike's top tube will be around 42" a hair under 47" off the ground.

 

i also have the Thule helium - its pretty awesome in that it will fit both a class III and II hitches. I can wear it on my 4Runner or my Prius! Its also very light and easy to use. I do have problem when i haul my bike - the center tube on my bike is at an angle so when i mount it to the rack, the front tire hangs lower than back tire. i have a steep drive way and i discovered, real quick, that my bikes front tire hits when i drive up/down he drive way. Now i park in the street to mount/dismount my bike , i guess i could also remove my front tire in "hilly" conditions.

 

Show Us Your Rack! | PriusChat

Check out that thread for various roof/hitch installs. Post up pics of your setup once you get it installed.

 

I put the rack on and pulled out the tape measure. The top tube cradles are a hair under 3' 11" off the ground.

 

Thanks for doing that...My top tube is about 34" from the gound so, I guess I'll have one foot one inch of ground clearance available under my hanging wheels! Whew! Thanks man!

 

Double post (deleted)

 

I had accidentally posted this elsewhere but, since you guys are the ones who helped me out, here is the results of my research for your benefit....
For you die-hard Hitch enthusiasts, I have some juicy information. I have been dilegently researching the
2" class I "Stealth" Ecohitch (Ordered) and its compatibility with what I want to accomplish for my 2012 Prius IV. What I wanted to accomplish was to be able to rack a minimum of 2 bicycles and, trailer a miniumum of
2 X 350lb (fueled)=700Lbs KTM 690 Enduro Motorcycles.
As far as the bicycles, I ended up with the super light (26 pounds) Thule Helium 3 bike rack that is maximum load rated at 105 Lbs. (3 X 35 lb bikes) although the instructions state you should only load 2 bikes on a class I hitch. This appears to be as heavy as you should go on Tongue weight given that you have to factor in the leverage/ torque of the rack in addition to the weight. I got the Helium for the great discount price of 290.00 at autoanything (ends today 9/1/2012). The only derogatory comment I found online about the Helium was one guy claimed it was a lawsuit waiting to happen as he had the part that tightens into the reciever (the black piece?) fail on him (TWICE);However, he did not state how much weight he was trying to haul which may have played a role (after all, three of my beach cruisers would weigh in at 204 Lbs!). And in case you were wondering...the "Quality S" (NOT stealthy) hitch that seems to be unavailable right now, is in reality a class I hitch NOT class III as they claim ( see the bottom of instruction manual posted on-line where its says 200 tongue weight/ 2000 tow weight). For the motorcycle towing, I just talked to the guy who runs greentechnologiestransport.com. He travels all over the country pulling a three bike 400LB steel trailer (they sell) with two x 800 lb Harleys loaded (2000lbs) AND he get 60 MPG while towing it!
He said a stock Prius only would get 30MPG doing this and, his easiest MPG fix was to change the transaxle fluid to "Royal Purple full synthetic". He said "I don't care what Toyota says", because it makes a world of difference.
He also made some battery mods to get 60 MPG so, I didn't get how much difference the Tranny fluid by itself makes. He travels all over and said that he was comfortable trailering 2000-3000 lbs with a prius. He didn't seem to think I would have trouble doing any of the above with the class I "stealth" Ecohitch.
Amen!

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Read more: http://priuschat.com/threads/looking-for-a-hidden-stealth-trailer-hitch.103654/#ixzz25FvMe5VX​

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My mnt bike is like that, so I have a holder that goes around the seat post and the handle bar stem to provide a straight mount point.

Helium is a class iii, with a class 2 adapter that bolts onto it, so it will fit both.

 

Well the coolist and most asthetically pleasing solution for towing or for bike racks is with a comapny called Execuhitch which is now Invisihitch. They have a class 3 snap in hitch receiver which is completely concealed behind the bumper far exceeding the capacities of all of the Toyota sedans and small SUVs. It is inserted vertically when needed. When not used, you would have no idea the vehicle was equipped with a hitch receiver. I have seen it on a Lexus CT and there is no vsible signs of a receiver or bumper cutout. The owner of the CT just uses the hitch for a bike rack. They indicate they fit the Prius which is the same platform as the Lexus CT. You can see the modles they fit on their website. It is a little pricy when compared to a standard square tube receiver hitch but possibly worth it if you do not want a visible bar or cutout or if you have concerns about ground clearance. They have a square tube connector that also snaps into the receiver to accomodate bike racks and cargo carriers with square tube connections.

 

Here's my one up bike rack.