Another hitch rack query

[Likes2ridefar]

Equip d is easy to swap from 2” to 1.25” and cost $175 for the 1.25” and $138 for 2” if bought separately. I only had to get one.

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by C40_guy

We've all said *that* before.

Yeah, depends on whether the rear bumper has to come off. On the VW's it does, plus trimming the plastic to clear the receiver, and on one of the hitches I had to cut a corner off of one of the mounting plates with a dremel to fit... 4 hours later its on.

[jadmt]

I have installed hitches on my Mazda CX5 and my daughters CRV and super easy. I am on old fat drunk so any young fit dude should not have an issue. I also like the 1 1/4" because i can transfer it to my 2" jeep receiver easily. the 1 up is solid.

[TiminVA]

Another vote for Uhaul. I've had two Subaru Crosstreks and installed the hitch myself on the first and let Uhaul do the second one. The first one took me about 3 hours with the cutting that was required for installation and that was using a lift. Without that, add at least an hour. The second, I let Uhaul do and the total cost was not much more than the first doing it myself. I got the hitch through Uhaul almost $50 cheaper than anywhere online and they charged $80 to install. No wiring as it's only for a bike rack.

[avalonracing]

I just went through the whole hitch and rack scenario. I wanted to put a hitch on my GTI but I didn't want to see it. So I got a Stealth Hitch https://stealthhitches.com/ and installed it with a buddy. What's cool about it is that you don't see the hitch at all until you lock in the "L" part of the hitch (which is what the rack mounts to). Because of this you can choose to use a 1 1/4" or a 2" just by switching out the "L". You don't have to make a life of the vehicle choice.

I initially got a 1UP Equip'D but I returned it and got a rack from Quikr Stuff (Yes, I hate all these dumb spellings too).

Quikr is the company from the guy who started 1Up. The reason that I went with Quikr is that it folds down neatly when it isn't on the car. Plus it has a fully integrated locking system for securing it to the car.

Yes, all of this was expensive, $600 for the hitch (without installation since I did it) and $700 for a single rack but I'm really happy with the result. You can add trays as needed but they aren't cheap either. My car looks completely hitch-free most of the time and is ready to go in a couple of minutes when I want to take the bike.

[jcs7282]

+1 for 2" hitch (an aftermarket one on our 2016 Outback has been fine for 8+ years...but is starting to rust from the New England winter roads...) and another +1 for 1Up...

That said, the Quickr product looks like a pretty great upgrade and fixes a lot of the (albeit small) annoyances I have with the 1Up Equipe'D. Not sure I would pay for that upgrade, though!!

[mtbmoose]

If you ever plan on carrying 2 e-bikes, or more than 2 regular bikes, get the 2” hitch. I have the 1 1/4 on my Equip-D and it’s definitely not super stable with three bikes on any kind of rough or bumpy roads. I noticed way more rocking when on the highway and carrying 3 XC mountain bikes than I felt comfortable with.

[xnetter]

A few years back I purchased a budget 1-1/4" receiver for my 2005 Forester and undertook installing it myself. It wasn't too bad but also not trivial. It involved dropping the exhaust system to get the hitch arm up underneath it. Not the most fun I've ever had..

I recently bought a newer Volvo with a 2" hitch already installed - thank heavens.

KJ

[Mr. Pink]

Thanks for the responses. This helps a lot.

[AngryScientist]

CRV is such a popular vehicle, there is almost certainly a youtube video of someone installing a hitch on whatever model year you happen to have.

That will give you a quick idea of how complicated the job is.

[blakcloud]

If I had to do it again (and if it was possible) I would,

1. Get the biggest receiver that fits on my car. I could only find 1.25 for my car so I didn't have a choice but I want 2" for my heavier bikes.

2. Install wiring even if you don't need it. I now have a lighted licence plate holder and I need the wiring to be truly legal. Wiring is my winter project for my car.

On a side note, I am grateful for the North American standard for trailer hitches. Have a look at the European version, those just ruin the look of any car.

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

CRV is such a popular vehicle, there is almost certainly a youtube video of someone installing a hitch on whatever model year you happen to have.

That will give you a quick idea of how complicated the job is.

There are instructions on the etrailer website for each hitch, too. They assume a pretty reasonable level of knowing how to work on a car though.

[JMT3]

I have a Curt hitch on my 2020 Ford Ecosport titanium. I installed and took me about 2 hours and not that difficult the Kurt hitch is only available in 1 and 1/4”. Where I was really stupid was ordering my rack first, 2”. I do have to use a Kurt adapter and the most I ever carry is two fat bikes with most of the time a single bike. I can and do carry my bikes inside when I don’t need the inside capacity.

My rack:
https://www.rei.com/product/190985/t...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

It works for me.

[billb5612]

i have a honda element. bought a 2" from uhaul and installed it myself, no wiring. it was pretty easy. saw some write ups and videos to go buy. it snugs up right against the bumper and does not stick out which i like. some people said i would have to cut part of the plastic bumper away but i didn't, just pushed the hitch up against it and it gave a little.

[raygunner]

Thanks for this post!

It just dawned on me that I need a hitch bike rack and this thread was helpful in getting the ball rolling!

Can't wait to buy a 1Up rack.