Torklift hitch with Thule racks

Very nice.
I assume you have the 2" receiver?
have you tried 4 bikes on there? is it fairly stable?
I've got the 1.25" eco hitch. wishing i got the 2" now so i could get a 4 bike rack

 

I have a Prius Plug In Advanced and I want to get some sort of hitch mounted bike rack for it this spring, but I know little to nothing about these hitches and racks.

For example, where does one even get a hitch installed? And JohnB mentions a 2" receiver vs. a 1.25" receiver. Why would you choose one over the other? I just want to be able to carry a couple of bikes, or a bike and an electric razor motorcycle (Like the Razor MX 500, about the size of a small bike).

Thanks!

 

So is Torklift Central the way to go pretty much? Or do you go to a U-Haul installer and order through them? I see that eco-hitch they have for sale, so it looks like that would be the way to go for my PiP.

I also saw that they had bike racks as well here:
Aluminum Bike Racks | Torklift Central

They're pictured coming out of the back of a SUV. Are those compatible with an eco-hitch or do I have to get a different bike rack? And are the Thule racks better than Yakima or vice versa? Or is it a matter of preference?

 

OK, thanks. I doubt I'll ever put 200 lbs of bikes on the thing, but I don't see the point of getting a 1.25" instead of a 2" hitch if it looks like they cost the same, and I imagine installation costs would be about the same?

And I went on Craigslist and it looks like there are a ton of Thule/Yakima bike racks available for around $100, so I guess I'll go that route and just find one that fits a 2" hitch when it is installed. Thanks.

 

But don't get too greedy about how much weight you put on it when on a Prius, which isn't rated for even class I, let alone class II.

I do have the Torklift 2" receiver on my Prius, but don't yet have the confidence in the strength of the frame to go anywhere near even 200 pounds on the hitch bike rack. While just hearsay, I saw too many comments about the possibility of bending the frame from excessive tongue torque.

 

Do you think the Prius can handle a couple of bikes without damaging the car?

 

Depending on how heavy your bikes are a 1.25" hitch for a couple of bikes should be fine. Currently I have the 1.25" eco hitch and a 2 bike rack on my v. The max I've carried on it are 2 mountain bikes around 35 pounds each. Include the weight of the rack, so around 120 pounds hanging off the hitch. There is a bit of flex/bounce(from the rack, not the hitch itself) but it is acceptable. If you can get a 2" receiver for the PiP i would get that, at least you always have the option to get a 3 or 4 bike rack. Other than for looks or cost or minor weight savings i can't see any good reason to go with the smaller receiver.

 

Thanks!

 

Haven't been on in a while, but thought I would share. I too, installed the EcoHitch 2" and used my Thule Rack... only 2 bikes though. See pictures.

 

Now what's the advantage of the system that you have where the bikes are attached at the bottom vs. the other style where the bike hangs from the frame? Or is it just a matter of preference?

 

The bottom type provides simple & secure bike carrying. The catch is you are limited to 2 bikes.
The other offers the ability to carry up to 4... which is what I have (with a 1.25" hitch) and it's worked quite well.

 

Ah OK, thanks.

 

Bret, be sure to cover the skis. Salt or sand will damage the bases.

 

Bret,

Is that the Yakima SwingDaddy? I see one locally on CL so was thinking about that.