michaelm101

We've owned a Kuat Transfer V2 rack for quite awhile now. It's the version that can convert to a single rack and I love this feature. However, we don't leave it permanently installed on the vehicle.

As many who own the V2 may know, they are very heavy and appear to be made from iron.

Facts: 1) I'm not getting any younger, and 2) one or more of my many injuries are always always "flaring."

Can anyone direct me to a similar well-crafted hitch-rack that is significantly lighter, perhaps constructed from aluminum?

Thanks very much in advance!

Koyote

I looked up the rack and found these specs, which indicate that it's actually about the lightest rack (of its type) on the market...lighter than tray-type hitch-mounted racks from Thule and OneUP USA. Unless I'm missing something, I don't see how you'll get something lighter.

sean.hwy

If the Kuat is one of the lighter bike racks like Koyote said can you get a roof mounted bike rack and just leave it on your car/suv/truck? At least those are out of the way when you are not transporting your bike.

I am too lazy to remove my kuat sherpa bike rack. Kind of pain when I want to open the back hatch of the rav4 and lift something heavy out.

Bald Paul

Look at the Rocky Mounts racks. They have a feature where they will tilt rearward to give you easy hatch access, even with bikes on the rack.

sean.hwy

The Kuat sherpa tilts down so I can open the rear hatch and it's fine for getting something light like a jacket. It's a pain to step between the rack and lift something heavy.

Koyote

Most of them do that...Though I assumed that the OP's problem was with getting the rack on and off the vehicle.

primov8

The Kuat Sherpa would be the way go. Aluminum construction and definitely the lightest; I believe sub 40 lbs. I had one years ago and it's still a favorite of mine. Even the Mrs. favored the Sherpa because it was easy for her to lift and install it on her suv when needed.

michaelm101

Thanks for taking the time to do this. I figured they'd have an aluminum one in the lineup by now. I'll simply have to get stronger...

rosefarts

There are the trunk mounted ones that just strap to the back with cheap straps and buckles. I think I’ve even seen suction cup ones. I think they’re all a big step down from what you already have in terms of ease and security, but they are lighter.

veganbikes

Thule Helium is a hanging rack but I would go for the Thule Easyfold XT2 it is not a super light rack by any means but it is not heavy however the real point of it is that it folds and has wheels on the bottom so it is easy to move around so the only lifting you do is on and off the car and you wheel it into your house or garage and if you have to lift it, it is a smaller easy to carry footprint. It also has a ramp on it to make it easier to get bikes on and off and folds up into the rack if you don't need it and the arms are removable so you can load you first bike and then add the second without having to worry about fishing the arm through before hand. Really excellent rack, they have a new one out which is a three bike and that one is nice but you can probably get a EasyFold for a bit cheaper now and I think it is a really great rack, we have used them and sold them for years.

Mojo31

They do, it's the Sherpa. Great rack.

2old

I don't know whether anybody suggested this (since we never remove our 1UP and didn't the Thule before, but why not consider a trunk mount for the one bike days?

michaelm101

Thx! Does this model come in the 1 (or 2) bike "module" configuration?

michaelm101

Thoughtful suggestion and thank you.

About a decade ago, we relied on a trunk rack on one of our vehicles and there are chips and imperfections in the rear of the body due to this.

To this day, the vehicle is in cosmetically excellent condition, aside from the rear panel and trunk areas :-(.

2old

My daughter needed to move her e-bike 400 miles and was successful with a trunk mount and insulation, but maybe too much work on a regular basis. Thank you for your response.

Broctoon

I think the Thule Helium Platform XT might be just what you're looking for. The single bike model is only 23 pounds. It appears they are no longer in production, but some retailers still have them in stock.

mattcalifornia

This is a good question. I have the Kuat NV (original version). It weighs 52 lbs and is a huge pain to move. I used to have the extension kit to carry 4 bikes -- that weighed over 90 lbs total. I sold off the extender though when my kids stopped riding. Seriously - it is a beast to move. Luckily, I don't need to use it that much. Nice rack though.

jaxgtr

1Up is a stupid light rack. I have it setup for a single and add on for when I need to haul a second bike.

themp

I second this. I do the same with a single setup and have the add on for a second bike. The second setup can be removed quite easily with just loosing two bolts and sliding and lifting it off. The first and second are under 25 pounds each. The single can be lifted by the cross bar and it is balanced for lifting.

jaxgtr

The main rack is 23 lbs and the Add on is 18lbs, hard to beat. If you do the super duty, it is about 5 lbs more. I opted for the non-super duty as I do not have any bikes that weigh more than 25 lbs and those racks are rated for 50 lbs per.

Calsun

I saw the weight of the Kuat racks and quickly scratched them from my list. What I bought was a 1Up Super Double rack that weighs 47 lbs but has platforms to support the weight of the bike and so better with carbon frame bikes. I use the Hollywood Rack Valet to move the rack from the car to my garage and it is a great design that works with both 1-1/4" and 2" racks and have four lockable wheels.

Other rack manufacturers to consider are Swagman (Canada manufacturer) and Hollywood (USA). At the high end there are racks from Thule and Yakima. The Thule has a short ramp and it has its own wheels to move it to and from the vehicle. Strongly recommend the reviews by owners of these racks to learn the pros and cons of each before making the purchase. The more popular models are likely to be out of stock.

atnyc

Sadly, no. It only comes in 2 bike version. It’s pretty light though. (I’m a small woman, I find it easy to get it on and off the car, can easily carry it around the garage, even one handed briefly if I need my other hand to move some stuff around)

I’m also trying to decide between the 1+1 modular vs fixed 2 bike options. So could use your first hand experience of the pros and cons of using the 1 bike configuration.

For me, it’s not so much for the weight saving. Just that I often only need to carry one bike. Seems to me, if I have a single bike carrier, I MAY just leave it flat (instead of fold up, which blocks the tailgate) without making the car far too long? That way, I can just leave the rack on the car instead of keep taking it on and off.

Calsun

If you do not mind leaving the rack on 100% of the time the Kuat has a swing-away attachment that although very heavy and expensive it does allow for swinging the rack fully load with bike out of the way for full access to the rear of a car or truck.

soyabean

I had to look up this rack just to see what the fuss was about.

This is a pretty minimalist rack already, and not sure if one can do any "smaller".

If the OP doesn't want the hassle of putting the rack onto the hitch every weekend, then the swing arm is a good idea to leave the rack there permanently while still giving full access to a vehicle's rear door.

I'm often throwing on my 2-platform rack to buy/deliver bikes, and although I don't think it's the lightest thing, perhaps I don't find it a problem as it only weighs about a quarter of my 4-platform beast that I only take out on planned vacations. 4-platform racks are made with a ton of metal to withstand safe tongue weight, which I am told tops out at about 500 lbs total.