Trailer Hitches VS Roof Racks?

"Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again." (sir-stig)
06/10/2015 at 09:55 • Filed to: Bicyclopnik

What have you guys picked, and why? Also, is the best way to protect your paint some 3M underneath the rack feet? I mostly intend on using it for moving bikes, but the roof rack could also be useful for camping with a pod or moving stuff like Christmas trees.

DISCUSSION (19)

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
06/10/2015 at 09:57

Why not both? Aka my explorer has both

atrombs > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
06/10/2015 at 10:03

Are you planning on leaving the roof rack on all the time? There’s a good chance you’ll get some wind noise out of it if so.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
06/10/2015 at 10:06

I chose a hitch rack over the roof rack:

the hitch rack is easier to access.

It gives a platform to perform maintenance/repairs.

mountain biking is dirty and I would not want to put mud covered bikes on the roof, especially if I plan on opening the sun roof.

it was less expensive

now I have a hitch which can be used for other stuff

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > atrombs
06/10/2015 at 10:14

Only during the summer probably.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
06/10/2015 at 10:14

Because it’s expensive.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/10/2015 at 10:15

Those are all reasons that I like the hitch idea, but as I can only get a class 1 hitch I’m not sure what else I could really use it for.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
06/10/2015 at 10:24

obviously check your stats but I think you can have a 200 lbs tongue load and 2000 total load. That would be enough for a small trailer with a dirt bike or some 2x4 and plywood. I’d like to get something small for making runs to the dump and home depot. My cousin has a corolla and uses it to haul a couple dirt bikes.

They make flat platforms for carrying stuff

place to tie a rope to bring people sledding.

CB > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
06/10/2015 at 10:26

What kind of vehicle? You mentioned class one in another comment, which really limits you to bicycles/other really light crap, but it stays out of the way. Roof racks have a bit more versatility, but they’re always visible and have a very slight impact on fuel economy, from what I hear.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > CB
06/10/2015 at 10:33

I have a Fiesta ST, so max I would ever tow is a tiny uhaul trailer or something. I believe I can only fit a hitch good for 150 lbs.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/10/2015 at 10:37

From what I’ve read on the forums the only hitches that fit can take up to 150 lbs tongue load, so yeah I’m guessing I could pull a small trailer if I had to. I feel like the hitch would be a bit mor convenient, I’m just not sure if the rack will be more usefull in the long run.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
06/10/2015 at 10:39

yea thats not a whole lot, still good for 4 bikes and a rack probably.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/10/2015 at 10:48

Yeah, I’m trying to see whether the cost of the hitch and maybe a used bike hitch is much less than used rails, feet, bike holder and new fitting kit. It seems with either Yakima or Thule I would need to spend 125ish CAD for new mounting adapters on top of whatever price I can find for used racks and bike carriers, whereas I can get a hitch for 175ish CAD and a used hitch mount bike carrier for around 100 or less...

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
06/10/2015 at 10:49

As a Miata owner, obviously I cannot use a roof rack with a soft top (have seen hard top ones though). However, I do have a trunk rack that works pretty well. The rubber feet definitely leaves some marks on the paint but it buffs out pretty easily. My only complaint is that I cant mount my bike rack while the luggage rack is mounted. So I may be getting a tow hitch installed and then one of those tow hitch racks. Camping with a Miata is great!

OPPOsaurus WRX > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
06/10/2015 at 10:58

yea when i priced it all out for the WRX it was about half for the hitch vs roof. I think I got the hitsh for $125 and the rack was about $200 where as the roof racks were $300 plus $150 per bike. ($ stands for freedom dollars of course)

GTI Sprinks > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
06/10/2015 at 11:08

Went with hitch because didn’t want to fuck up paint, fuck up mpg, or deal with windnoise. Slight regret is scrapping occasionally on weird inclines and considering putting in sport springs expecting more scrapping. oh well.

CB > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
06/10/2015 at 11:33

I didn’t realize you were Canadian. Whereabouts, if you don’t mind me asking?

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > CB
06/10/2015 at 11:53

Calgary, you?

CB > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
06/10/2015 at 11:59

Ottawa. So pretty much on the other side of the country.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > CB
06/10/2015 at 12:07

Haha pretty much.