I’ve been using a Yakima roof rack for a few years now. I’ve never had any real problems, but lately I’ve been thinking that a hitch rack might be better, for both fuel economy on longer trips and for protecting the bikes (I’m driving 800+ miles to IMFLA this year and I’m not sure I want to subject my bike to that punishment just a few days before the race). There is no hitch on my Honda Civic, but I have heard that it is possible to put a light (i.e. one that can hold a bike rack but not a huge trailer) one on. My questions are:
What do people think about hitch vs. roof rack?
Does anybody have any information about getting a hitch installed (cost, time, etc.)?
Sure you can. If people can have a hitch in their giddyup, I don’t see why you can’t have one on your Civic. (Just don’t use it for anything but your bike!)
I’ve been using a Yakima roof rack for a few years now. I’ve never had any real problems, but lately I’ve been thinking that a hitch rack might be better, for both fuel economy on longer trips and for protecting the bikes (I’m driving 800+ miles to IMFLA this year and I’m not sure I want to subject my bike to that punishment just a few days before the race). There is no hitch on my Honda Civic, but I have heard that it is possible to put a light (i.e. one that can hold a bike rack but not a huge trailer) one on. My questions are:
What do people think about hitch vs. roof rack?
Does anybody have any information about getting a hitch installed (cost, time, etc.)?
Thanks,
-Colin
I would go to U-haul and ask them. If they will sell you one then it must be ok as they wouldn’t sell it to you if there was any liability for doing so. Of course they will give you all sorts of limitation on a car like this if they will sell it. If they won’t then you have your answer.
I’m not sure --but I like the convenience of my hitch rack-- granted I have an Xterra but I only got the hitch mount to haul bikes (didn’t get it wired for brake lights etc.)— I don’t think it would effect the car that much to haul a few bikes— Whatever you do – don’t go to the Honda Dealer-- Nissan wanted to charge me around 750 and when I called a local RV place they charged about 120 parts and labor total— it only took them about 30 minutes to install.
I was just thinking yesterday that the ultimate setup for us “small car” folk would be a mini fully-enclosed trailer to drag around. I saw one the other day that looked pretty sweet - curvy lines all in aluminium, with a door on the side (looked kind of like a sleeper). I wonder what it would cost to get a tri-trailer built up? Pre-fit with carriers for a couple of bikes, plus room for all the other toys. No windows, but good venting (so it doesn’t get too hot in there) and a strong lock on the door so that you’d have less worries about your ride(s) getting jacked.
yes you can get a hitch but likely nothing bigger than a class 1 hitch unless you have something done to improve spring load/rate on the back end of the car. Not sure what they’re rated to initially. Class 1 gives you more than the 500lbs your bumper (if you had one that could be equipped with a trailer ball) can carry. I think 1s are rated to 1000lbs but not sure. Find a local trailer hitch Co. (or a Uhaul as recommended earlier) and check on costs. It also means you might need additional wiring done (if you plan to pull a small trailer) to accomodate a 4 pole plug.
Bumpers are give and take safer for hauling bikes. Safer because you never have to remember to take them off your roof before going under things/into garages…less so if you parallel park/back into things (but in this case you’re more likely to see them when you turn around to see where you’re parking). Bikes should also take less abuse from road debris being on a bumper.
Bumpers are also a lot easier to remove from than roof racks (unless you’re well over 6’ tall in which case…I hate you anyway) which means to me you’re more likely to remove them when you go inside somewhere…which in turns means they’re less likely to get stolen (if it’s easier for you to take off it’s also easier for thieves to steal them as well).
Think Warranty. I would say any sign of a hitch would pretty much void any type of drive train warranty on a civic. You would know that you had not been towing, but the dealer doing the warranty claim may not believe you.
My VFR is my cruiser street bike so I am not dragging my knee on it but it handles fine on the freeway at 80 mph. I ride it to work and then on to my club ride afterwards. It is 20 miles each way. No splitting lanes when the bicycle is on it!
I got into riding bicycles to train for my roadracing so I am an experienced rider. Now I think on am on my bicycles more than my motorcycles!
Below is a pic from a test day at California Speedway.
The hitch bike racks (for cars) are something I do on the side if anyone needs one. Here is a picture of the one I made for my wife’s FX45. I had to angle it up for her car to keep the exhaust from cooking the tires on the bike.
I thought you guys would get a kick out of the bike rack on the motorcycle!
I had a hitch on my 82 Honda Civic, pulled my Vision 550 which was alot heavier than any tri-bike, about as heavy as my first mountain bike though. At the time (late 80s) the hitch cost was about 250 installed. It was worth more than the civic.
That Motorcycle/bike combo is very cool. Before I got the old Civic, I used to carry my life’s possessions on my Vision, saddlebags with a duffle strapped down across the back and then anything that wouldn’t fit into the bags bungied to the sides, like roller blades, tennis rackets, etc.
