Aftermarket Bolt-on hitch?
07-24-17, 03:12 PM
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Aftermarket Bolt-on hitch?
We have a Dodge Grand Caravan that we road trip in. I would like to put a hitch on it so we can bring our bike using a carrier.
Does anyone have a recommendation for brand names?
Does anyone have a recommendation for brand names?
07-24-17, 03:44 PM
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When I needed a hitch receiver for my Wrangler, I went to etrailer.com and bought a "Hidden Hitch" product.
It was a breeze to install; Just bolted up.
It was a breeze to install; Just bolted up.
07-24-17, 03:47 PM
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I installed a hitch receiver from etrailer.com on my minivan. Installation went without a hitch (pun intended). I believe they also have decent prices on the bike carriers.
A note about carriers: If you plan on carrying more than a couple bikes, make sure the carrier will actually take your bikes. Newfangled swoopy frames and kids bikes can be a puzzle to fit together. We sometimes travel with 4 bikes, and it's always a PITA to get them all on there. The front wheels all have to come off.
A note about carriers: If you plan on carrying more than a couple bikes, make sure the carrier will actually take your bikes. Newfangled swoopy frames and kids bikes can be a puzzle to fit together. We sometimes travel with 4 bikes, and it's always a PITA to get them all on there. The front wheels all have to come off.
07-24-17, 04:00 PM
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On the topic of bike racks for a hitch receiver, my first requirement is that they support the bike by the wheels.
And the best racks I've seen are these (although they are not cheap): https://www.1upusa.com/bicycleracks.html
And the best racks I've seen are these (although they are not cheap): https://www.1upusa.com/bicycleracks.html
07-24-17, 04:14 PM
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etrailer is the best, bought several hitches from them and other assorted trailer parts.
07-24-17, 05:26 PM
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I'll give another thumbs-up to etrailer.com . Good prices, good selection, good instruction videos, etc.
Good customer service, too. When I ordered my hitch, they accidentally shipped the wrong type. I called them and they sent the right one out immediately, along with a shipping label to return the first.
Good customer service, too. When I ordered my hitch, they accidentally shipped the wrong type. I called them and they sent the right one out immediately, along with a shipping label to return the first.
07-24-17, 07:40 PM
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Every day a winding road
Take it to U-Haul. For the price it is not worth crawling under the vehicle.
07-24-17, 10:12 PM
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Alright, cool.
Thanks for the info, especially on rack recommendations and first hand experience.
Definitely going to look around at etrailer and call my local uhaul.
Please keep the input coming.
We went for a small "first ride" today and it was great! Loved it!
On the external rack, can you not get a locking pin to hold the rack on? And could you not modify the rack so it has a metal loop welded or bolted to it that you could run a cable through all of the bikes and lock them to the rack?
Thanks for the info, especially on rack recommendations and first hand experience.
Definitely going to look around at etrailer and call my local uhaul.
Please keep the input coming.
We went for a small "first ride" today and it was great! Loved it!
On the external rack, can you not get a locking pin to hold the rack on? And could you not modify the rack so it has a metal loop welded or bolted to it that you could run a cable through all of the bikes and lock them to the rack?
07-24-17, 10:23 PM
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Putting the bike inside the van.
I'm actually shopping for a mini van, so I don't have to use the external rack anymore.
I use a big heavy Thule rack...I find external rack is too heavy...and pita to install and remove after each day!
And there's the constant fear of somebody snatching your carbon fiber bike while you're in the gas station taking a leak and putting food into mouth. And the fear of bike coming loose and falling off, while driving on the freeway. And scare to be out of sight of the bike anytime. And fear of somebody snatching your $500 rack too.
I'm actually shopping for a mini van, so I don't have to use the external rack anymore.
I use a big heavy Thule rack...I find external rack is too heavy...and pita to install and remove after each day!
And there's the constant fear of somebody snatching your carbon fiber bike while you're in the gas station taking a leak and putting food into mouth. And the fear of bike coming loose and falling off, while driving on the freeway. And scare to be out of sight of the bike anytime. And fear of somebody snatching your $500 rack too.
07-24-17, 10:49 PM
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It's actually funny that you mention that. We have a Dodge Grand Caravan that both bikes fit into pretty easily. I have thought about taking a bicycle rack, like you park your bike in at the store that your front wheel goes into, and bolting that to a piece of plywood that I would slide into the back of the van. Then I would park both bicycles front wheels in the bike rack standing up, and bungee-cord them to some u-bolts that I mount in the plywood to secure the back in so they won't fall over.
Like this.
07-24-17, 11:38 PM
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07-25-17, 06:03 AM
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07-25-17, 12:30 PM
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I bought a hitch for each of my vehicles (2012 Toyota Camry) and (2015 Toyota Highlander). I went with the Curt hitch from Auto Anything.com. e-trailer has very good prices as well. I like how they provide "how to" videos for your specific model.
07-25-17, 01:40 PM
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Cool, I'll check them out as well.
07-25-17, 07:54 PM
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I went with a Draw-tite hitch from etrailer. It tucks up under the bumper and the uhaul hitches stuck out a couple of inches. Not sure if they still do but you can check that out easily enough.
07-25-17, 08:01 PM
#17
Every day a winding road
They did at least back in 2016. Not a big deal imho. I think the only difference maker is the in bumper hitches from the dealer. They look a little nicer.
07-27-17, 01:26 PM
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U-Haul did mine. less than $200. 45 min in & out easy peasy. Class II, holds 4 bikes
07-27-17, 02:39 PM
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Putting the bike inside the van.
I'm actually shopping for a mini van, so I don't have to use the external rack anymore.
I use a big heavy Thule rack...I find external rack is too heavy...and pita to install and remove after each day!
And there's the constant fear of somebody snatching your carbon fiber bike while you're in the gas station taking a leak and putting food into mouth. And the fear of bike coming loose and falling off, while driving on the freeway. And scare to be out of sight of the bike anytime. And fear of somebody snatching your $500 rack too.
I'm actually shopping for a mini van, so I don't have to use the external rack anymore.
I use a big heavy Thule rack...I find external rack is too heavy...and pita to install and remove after each day!
And there's the constant fear of somebody snatching your carbon fiber bike while you're in the gas station taking a leak and putting food into mouth. And the fear of bike coming loose and falling off, while driving on the freeway. And scare to be out of sight of the bike anytime. And fear of somebody snatching your $500 rack too.
Add to that list of hazards: (1) The bikes block the view of the taillights and license plate. Kinda makes cops and other drivers testy. (2) If the exhaust pipe blows hot stuff on the bike's tire and rim, real damage can occur. (3) If the bikes hang too low, the bike's tire can drag the road when backing out and damage the rim. (4) the rack makes access to the vehicle's tailgate a PIA. I've seen all four happen.
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My C&V Bikes:
1972 Bottecchia Professional, 1972 Legnano Olympiade Record,
1982 Colnago Super, 1987 Bottecchia Team C-Record,
1988 Pinarello Montello, 1990 Masi Nuova Strada Super Record,
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My C&V Bikes:
1972 Bottecchia Professional, 1972 Legnano Olympiade Record,
1982 Colnago Super, 1987 Bottecchia Team C-Record,
1988 Pinarello Montello, 1990 Masi Nuova Strada Super Record,
1995 Bianchi Campione d'Italia, 1995 DeBernardi Thron
07-28-17, 06:52 PM
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We have an '05 Grand Caravan and use a variety of racks. I have a Saris Bones 3-bike rack that straps onto the hatch, a receiver hitch into which we put a Hollywood 2-bike fork mount that has been modified to carry my wife's RANS Wave recumbent, and I have an inside option of my homemade bike board that holds two bikes by fork mounts. The mounts on the left are there for "lawyer nub" bikes and standard, and the one on the right is standard. The whole mount on the left, incidentally, can be removed and installed in my VW Westy. We also use the Saris on the Westy hatch.
bike block in red van.jpgbike block Westy use.jpg
bike block in red van.jpgbike block Westy use.jpg
07-29-17, 06:05 PM
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Alright, cool.
Thanks for the info, especially on rack recommendations and first hand experience.
Definitely going to look around at etrailer and call my local uhaul.
Please keep the input coming.
We went for a small "first ride" today and it was great! Loved it!
On the external rack, can you not get a locking pin to hold the rack on? And could you not modify the rack so it has a metal loop welded or bolted to it that you could run a cable through all of the bikes and lock them to the rack?
Thanks for the info, especially on rack recommendations and first hand experience.
Definitely going to look around at etrailer and call my local uhaul.
Please keep the input coming.
We went for a small "first ride" today and it was great! Loved it!
On the external rack, can you not get a locking pin to hold the rack on? And could you not modify the rack so it has a metal loop welded or bolted to it that you could run a cable through all of the bikes and lock them to the rack?
It also make a nice work stand when needed.
Last edited by Doug64; 07-29-17 at 06:10 PM.
08-05-17, 09:08 AM
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go for it. what have you got to lose