newbert

I recently bought a Catrike Villager recumbent trike. While it does (barely) fit inside my Rav 4, it's a bit of a pain. It involves removing some difficult to reach pins to fold down the seat plus removing my bag from the back rack. So, I'm considering purchasing a trike carrier. (My Rav4 already has a hitch.)

Here's the one that I currently have in mind. Does anyone have any thoughts about it or experiences it with it? (Positive or negative). If not, what do YOU use to transport your recumbent trike by car?

Thanks!
Bert

VegasTriker

I would have to add a hitch to my Scion XB in order to use a rack like the one you linked to. Instead I did some minor modifications to an old Rhode Gear bike rack to carry my Catrike 700 well above the pavement (see note later in post). Added two crosspieces made from Schedule 40 3/4" irrigation pipe held in place by old bike tubes. That makes a place for the rear wheel on the trike to fit.






The reason I like having the trike way off the ground is an experience with a friend's hitch rack. We were carrying three bikes on it and for some reason it slipped back and down as the release that allows you to lower the rack let go. Who knows why but the bike at the back of the three (mine!) rubbed against the ground. Luckily we discovered it before it did some substantial damage. BTW I have a frugal streak unlike my friend who was a medical doctor with lots of cash so the idea of spending $425 on a bike rack would make me think twice for another solution. My old Rhode Gear rack cost me 10 bucks and has carried a variety of recumbents from short to long wheelbase recumbents as well.

BlazingPedals

I can fit any of my 3 bents inside my car with the rear seats down.I have to take the rear wheel off, then feed it in through the trunk. I also have a Saris roof rack with a single tray, and it'll (barely) take a lowracer - the rear wheel goes all the way to the end of the tray. I'd get another tray but that particular model is no longer available; they're all fork mounts these days.

BlazingPedals

Trikes are much tougher. They could go in my truck or I would have to take off all wheels.

cat0020

This is what I've seen:

J Palmer Cass

I bought a Ford Explorer and just throw the trike, an ICE Adventure, right in the thing. It also held my Catrike Trail (which I no longer own) at the same time, no sweat.

rydabent

The secret here is to have a crew cab pick up like I do. It has seating for 5, and of course the pick up box for bikes and trikes. It is the do all machine. If you have two vehicles, one should be a pickup. Why have two cars that have limited usefulness.