| Author | Message | ||||||
     Jason Wagner (Wagnerjc) Member Username: Wagnerjc Post Number: 47 Registered: 03-2002 |
Hey All, REI is having their 20% off member sale right now so its time to buy my hitch mount bike rack. I had a Yakima roof rack on my old Jeep Cherokee, but I feel the Disco is too high to keep taking bikes off/on the top. I'm trying to decide between the Yakima Roc'n Gate (holds 4 bikes with fold-out system so you can open the back cargo door with the bikes mounted) for about $390 after coupon and the Thule 998 Trailblazer (Holds 4 bikes with similar fold-out system) for $280. I'm partial to Yakima only because I've owned one before and know that they make great quality products. With an almost $100 price difference can anyone give their opinion on which they liked. If you've used both then which did you prefer and why. What is Thule quality like? Thanks for the input. The sale ends in 4 days, so I need to act quickly. | ||||||
| Danno (Danno) Senior Member Username: Danno Post Number: 283 Registered: 08-2002 |
if you do a search, this has been discussed before. i personally have the Hi-towers on mine. i can sitll get my bikes on and off even with 255/85's and 3" RTE lift and i'm only 5' 11". | ||||||
| Jason Wagner (Wagnerjc) Member Username: Wagnerjc Post Number: 48 Registered: 03-2002 |
I don't disagree that you can get bikes off/on, but I doubt that my 5'4" 110 lb wife could. The only way she'll get out without me is with a hitch rack. I plan to eventually put a roof rack on as well. | ||||||
| Chris Browne (Chris_browne) Senior Member Username: Chris_browne Post Number: 375 Registered: 02-2003 |
I have the RA Allen bike rack. 4 bikes http://www.allenracks.com/hitch.html Less than half the price of the thule etc | ||||||
| jay caragay (Jcaragay) Member Username: Jcaragay Post Number: 158 Registered: 02-2002 |
I like the Rhode Gear Spare Tire strap mounted bicycle carrier. It allows you to carry three bikes and you have full use of the tow hitch. | ||||||
| nathan schrock (Schrackensac) New Member Username: Schrackensac Post Number: 7 Registered: 08-2003 |
i had the roc'n gate. took it back. it doesn't fit right on the back of a D2. Yakima makes this handy little built in wrench thing that lets you tighten the threaded pin through the reciever hitch. problem is, you can't swing the wrench due to the reciever braces. this caused the rack to wobble from side to side without a bike on it and i wasn't pushing all that hard. The vertical mast rubbed the spare, and at the moment i still have the stock 18's. any larger tires i'm sure would cause even more problems. I was very disapointed in the overall fit of this rack. even if it would have fit past the tire i would have taken it back. it was absolutely loose in the reciever. i just didn't trust it. | ||||||
| Brian O'Connor (Hooky) New Member Username: Hooky Post Number: 18 Registered: 09-2003 |
../27/32384.html"#444444"> | Jason Lord (Ronan) Member Username: Ronan Post Number: 135 Registered: 10-2002 |
Roc N Gate works well if you take off the wrench handle and throw on a little bracket to clamp down around the hitch (you can get them at any bike shop or auto store that sells hitches). It basically tightens down and holds the rack snugly in the hitch. The rack itself is awesome and with this setup will not move at all. Jay ROXS 47 | ||||
| Brian O'Connor (Hooky) New Member Username: Hooky Post Number: 20 Registered: 09-2003 |
If you are riding bikes that didn't come from WalMart look for the Draftmaster mentioned in the thread I listed above, also the bike gear links will help you sort though the good, bad, and the ugly. If you are riding a WalMart class bike then do what you must, but don't a lot spend money on your set up. | ||||||
| Mike Bauer (Mikeb) Member Username: Mikeb Post Number: 127 Registered: 02-2003 |
Get the one made for Land Rover. In my opinion, it works great. | ||||||
| Brian O'Connor (Hooky) New Member Username: Hooky Post Number: 21 Registered: 09-2003 |
The LR hitch rack is a yakama (if I recall)... typically good stuff, and is swing away... bad part is you can damage your bikes finish with any rack that secures to the top tube, or down tube of the bike. If that is important to you then, you'll choose differently, if not... then you are set :-) Sorry I'm a bike geek too | ||||||
| Craig Nichols (Craign12) New Member Username: Craign12 Post Number: 2 Registered: 09-2003 |
I use the Yakima Hitch Fork and it works great. No worries about damaging the finish of your bike due to fact that your bike is secured to the rack via the forks. This allows for greater stability than racks that clamp to your top tube. The only drawback is that you need a hitch receiver extender to clear the bumper. | ||||||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Senior Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 481 Registered: 02-2003 |
Yakim Roc-N-Gate | ||||||
| Jason Wagner (Wagnerjc) Member Username: Wagnerjc Post Number: 55 Registered: 03-2002 |
Can anyone confirm that the LR gate is actually a Yakima? Anyone know the model? Thanks. | ||||||
| Chad Meyer (Ccdm3) Member Username: Ccdm3 Post Number: 161 Registered: 07-2002 |
Jason, You are toooooo short to get a roof rack!!!! Sorry...go with the yakima. The new mounts are top notch. They will not harm your bikes finish in any way, and actually do a good job keeping them from swaying back and forth. I have mine on the top of my LR rack. You can check it out Sunday. | ||||||
| Rob Caulfield (Wrldky) Member Username: Wrldky Post Number: 58 Registered: 02-2003 |
I also bought the Allen rack after much research. It is very sturdy and heavy and works great for about $100.00. If you are going to be using it everyday maybe all the bells and whistles are worth a Thule or Yakima but not to me. | ||||||
| John W (Disco_gold) New Member Username: Disco_gold Post Number: 8 Registered: 09-2003 |
Rob, Where did you get it. I'm interested in getting one and the price sounds good. Thanks. John |
