Another hitch rack query

[Mr. Pink]

Thinking of getting one, and that One Up that was highly rated in a recent thread sure looks good. Saw one yesterday in a parking lot where bikers gather. Love the simple expansion to two bikes from one. Looked very well made, all machined metal, no plastic (looking side eyed at you, Thule).
Anyway, my question is, where does one get the hitch and have it installed? Are there different sized hitches, or is that female part universally sized? I have heard more than once that Uhaul sells and installs them. Are they ok?

Honda HRV.

[DfCas]

There are 2 common hitch sizes, 1 1/4. And 2 inch. I prefer the 2 inch as 1 up told me the 2 inch native hitches are stronger than the 1 1/4 adapted up to 2 inch. E trailer . Com is where I got my hitch. I had a mechanic I know install it, as im an old geezer.
I got the single heavy duty 1up and folded up i can open the hatch on my subaru without touching the rack.

[.RJ]

1up is offered in 1.25" and 2" - the 1.25" will be fine for 2 bikes, if you think you'll need 3 or 4 bikes for go with the 2" hitch.

I usually buy them from etrailer.com - they're not expensive - and if you're handy you can install them yourself, some them are easy but etrailer provides instructions on the website and you can decide. Or take it to your mechanic for install, its always easier on a lift.

[AngryScientist]

Yes, go to etrailer and you will see a bunch of options for your mini suv. I would go with a 2" option for sure.

Generally they are very very easy to install in the driveway, but I'm sure you could pay a nechanic a few bucks to do it too.

I have also had friends had them installed by uHaul, a fine option.

Anecdotally speaking of course, and living where it snows in the winter, but all of the ones i've seen with a uHaul sticker on them have been badly rusted, so I suspect the uHaul brand, whoever they use is not the best at coating them with something durable.

If you were local, I'd help ya wing it on, i'm certain it's an easy job.

[katematt]

I have purchased two aftermarket hitches from them. Installation really depends on the car. Toyota Highlander, no problem and did it myself. BMX X5 needed a post grad in engineering and many more tools than I owned to pull it off so I outsourced.

And I agree the two in is better and the Oneup is sweet.

[rice rocket]

Uhaul still does hitch installs, it's the simple route. No climbing under cars, etc.

I did a quick quote on their site, $280 for the 2" hitch (Draw-Tite brand), $120 for wiring and accessories, $200 for install. Total $600 + tax.

[trener1]

I had uhaul install them on 2 cars.
Both times I told them no wiring just the hitch/install since I don't plan on ever pulling any trailers I don't need the wiring, they were fine with that so you can deduct that from the price.
For me personally it was worth it as I am not a climb under cars kind of guy.
Some local indy shops will also do the install for you.
I got the 2 inch because it's stronger and why not?

[Likes2ridefar]

I would not get a uhaul hitch and would get 2” unless the car isn’t compatible. Equip d in one to two mode is fantastic and easy to swap back and forth in a few minutes. The 2” hitch on the equip d is way better. I have both and am glad I am back to 2” with my new car.

Uhaul hitch has less ground clearance than other options for my car and others. Mine is all but hidden but did require removing and cutting some of the bumper (backside under not what you can see). Uhaul it would be hanging down a few inches lower but it just bolts on, no cutting or bumper removal required.

I read Subaru would charge nearly 1k to install their own brand. Mine, ordered online, with same fitment and specs was about $300.

[saab2000]

I second the recommendation for a 2” receiver. Also, if possible, I recommend getting the electrical connection for lighting.

On my 1UP rack I got the taillight accessory and am very happy with it. It is very bright and has turn signal and brake light functionality.

Here’s a website that sells trailer hitch receivers. I got one for a previous VW Tiguan I owned and was happy. I had to pay for installation at a shop but it was a very solid product and looked well integrated. The U-Haul hitches are pretty ugly IMHO and tend to get rusty and therefore even uglier.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hit...EaAihkEALw_wcB

[benb]

I have a U-Haul one. U-Haul does not make the hitches. It’s just a re-brand.

In any case I have a Subaru, the Subaru owners community is full of conspiracy theories about hitches and how aftermarket hitches are not safe. Personally the ground clearance has not been an issue whatsoever.

I’m nearly 100% sure the Subaru hitch that only offered a 1 1/4” receiver would have stunk compared to the U-Haul 2” one. And I was also quoted over $1000 by Subaru and they said 6 months to get the parts! U-Haul was like $250 and a 1 day wait.

Whatever you do buy with the assumption you might want to haul more bikes later to go with family/friends/teammates.

We absolutely love the 1UP.

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

... i'm certain it's an easy job.

We've all said *that* before.

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by rice rocket

$120 for wiring and accessories, $200 for install

If you *are* going to have wiring done, ask your dealer whether the car normally takes a trailer wiring module. With many cars, that module changes some performance parameters (disables stop/start on my SUV, lord knows what else!) and might even keep the rear hatch from opening normally when the hitch wiring is in use (good to keep the hatch from slamming into the bikes).

Most $200 wiring jobs involve splicing into existing wiring and won't give you the benefits above, plus it might trigger a bulb out warning.

Just sayin'

[unterhausen]

It should be easy for you...

Really depends on what car you're putting the hitch on. I spent more than I wanted on an ecohitch for the prius because it was the only 2" hitch I could find. Apparently there is another, cheaper one available. It took me long enough to put it on that my neighbor thought I was going to pull a boat or something. But that's his bias, he doesn't understand people that don't have a boat.

I really wish a 2" rack was available for our camry. People say it's because they are afraid someone will overload a 2" hitch, but the 1 1/4" has the same load capacity. So I don't understand that objection. A 2" hitch is a lot more stable. I have used a rack on the smaller hitch, and you should really use some kind of stabilization.

[charliedid]

I bought from these folks, a Ecohitch for my VW Sportwagen. Made in USA and had a local body shop install. All cars are different and mine required a bit more work than normal with full bumper removal as well as a small cut-out of it.

Rack Attack (if one near) is also an option....didn't see mentioned.

And I have a Quick Rack from 1Up and purchased a 2" hitch even though two bikes is all I would carry. Currently just one.

[Gummee]

I'll be something of a contrarian and recommend a 1 1/4" rack. Cars aren't getting bigger...

You can easily make a 1 1/4" rack work on a 2" hitch, but you can't make a 2" rack work on the smaller hitch as easily or as cheaply. The only thing a 1 1/4" rack won't do is hold 4 bikes

If your car will do both hitches. you're carrying more than 2 bikes, AND you don't plan on ever getting a smaller car, get the 2" rack. If you want to future proof your purchase, and you only need to carry 2 bikes, get the 1 1/4" hitch and rack

M