boggy

I am using Kuat Transfer 3 hitch mounted rack, and it has limitation of 40lb of weight per bike.

I have used it in the past to transport two full sized beach cruiser like e-bikes, that weight a total of 110lbs with batteries on, and I figure about 100lbs with batteries off.

Now I have purchased third e-bike that weight 60lbs with battery, so I figure it’s another 55lbs on rack without battery for a grand total of 155lbs of weight, which is above factory limit of 120lbs.

But I can tighten up two cargo straps secured to top
of tailgate with those vinyl covered hooks, that should take some load off, will that be enough to make up for the extra 35lbs of weight above factory limit?

veganbikes

The rack is first and foremost a safety device and if it fails it could be fatal to someone behind you. The new Thule Epos rack is designed with e-bikes in mind. If you remove the batteries and any easily removable extra weight and get it to 66lbs PER BIKE you have a great solution in that rack. I would always take off any unneeded weight when possible it is always better to be well within the limits then right up against them even though yes they probably test the racks to more weight but for longevity and durability I would rather not push it.

You can also get the rack with a light kit if you want to be even safer.

We have sold the EasyFolds for years and they were excellent for e-bikes but this new one seems to be the answer, they really listened to everything we have been saying and asking of them. They had a 3 bike version of that rack in Europe but they refused to sell it in the U.S. though they would have made a killing. This is hopefully way better than that one plus the addition of ABUS locks is excellent which means maybe possibly down the line we might see some Plus or X-Plus cylinders so you can key everything the same from the batteries and bike locks to the rack locks and so many other great locks.

rumrunn6

the thule epos rack is 50lbs. be sure you can lift that weight. at least it's lighter than an 80lb bag of cement

all new considerations, even as Wifey I consider our aging cycling needs / wants. we really enjoyed renting them one day, last year

2old

WE just procured a 1UP two bike rack for our MTB's (not "e") and it's fantastic. They were recommended by many friends and acquaintances. They have just released a "super" rack which should work for you. They won't be recommended by and store employees since they sell direct to consumer.

veganbikes

That may have been a subtle jab at me, I don't know but I actually am cool with 1UP. I like quality products, MUSA stuff and everything I have seen and hear has lead me to believe 1UP is good quality stuff.

I am unsure about a triple rack from them though, that would be my major pause. I can see they do doubles in the heavier duty stuff but not sure on triples for that weight.

boggy

I think I figured it out. Instead of using questionable quality support straps on hooks holding on to tailgate, I will get heavy duty cargo straps with ratchets, and use soft loops to secure the hitch rack bars to roof cross bars with two sets of those straps. That will easily double or even triple the load capacity and allow me to transport three e-bikes with peace of mind. Because the bikes will be carried by two cargo straps and the hitch.

2old

I'm not being selective in my statement. It seems as though many posters who work in or own bike shops are negative regarding direct-to-consumer items. Even the owner of my LBS, who I've known and supported for 25 years, didn't have much good to say about 1UP.

veganbikes

Because some of the D2C stuff isn't all that great or people come to us needing support and then get frustrated at us when the company won't provide help for the product they didn't get from us. Not specific to this product though.

Bald Paul

I doubt the straps attached to your cross rails will actually remove any of the weight of the bike(s) from the rack.

On the bright side, should the rack fail, it will be interesting to watch your bikes bouncing along behind you in the rear view mirror, at least until the cross rail of your roof rack tears off.

boggy

The straps most definitely will remove the weight if you ratchet them up to create enough tension before hanging third bike. I will make a photo when I set it up once I get the straps. I ordered these to absorb rack flex while driving.

veganbikes

Not so bright and interesting for the driver behind you who could get hit by those bikes coming off.

How are they removing weight? Are these super magical straps that shoot the weight into the stratosphere and then it gets burned up on impact? I get that you want to be cheap, a lot of people do it too a fault but literally if you rack fails it won't effect you at all aside from some damaged bikes but could be rather fatal for someone traveling behind you and even if they were tailgating there is still no reason to put someone else's life at greater risk because you wanted to exceed the limits of your rack with a ratchet strap hoping that will magically triple the capacity of the rack by putting a strap on it.

I really hope the people behind you aren't anyone I know or anyone on this forum. If you really truly decide to go ahead with this plan you should put a nice easy to read sign on the bikes that reads "CAUTION: Bikes may come loose" and know you are responsible for everything that happens and that sign isn't an indemnity waiver and it still is a poor idea.

boggy

I am guessing you have no understanding of how tension vector diagram works, perhaps you should have paid better attention in school. I can assure you that two heavy duty straps can be tensioned to compensate for some measly 40lb of force.

veganbikes

Ahhh yes, attention in school that is the problem here. If only I had paid better attention in school I would know that overloading a rack is a good idea. Safety is stupid..damn the education system really sucks, they didn't tell us that

Bald Paul

Enlighten us, please! You may use charts, graphs, and engineering diagrams for those of us who didn't pay attention in class. What class are you referring to? Gym?

jadmt

1up says their super duty rack will do 3 bikes that weigh up to 75 apiece. total 225 lb capacity.

boggy

This is rough draft of the situation, you have unsupported rack on the left with stated limit of 40lbs per bike. On the right you have cargo straps (I would have two, one for each arm of the rack) tensioned to 35lbs each pulling at 45 degree angle toward the roof of SUV, which in turn creates 50lb pull upward and 50lb pull toward the hitch. The extra weight for heavier bikes equates to 35lbs over the factory limit, and we can leave torque out of this equation because 50lb of upward force applies further away from hitch than the rest of the load. Actually factoring in torque will demonstrate that the straps more then compensate for the extra weight.

On top of it, any bump on the road is going to generate more upward force to compensate for rack flexing downward, so supported rack is going to be more stable than unsupported one, as long as straps are tensioned enough to compensate for extra weight.

I do have an engineering degree from an accredited US University, and these sort of calculations were part of what was covered at some depth.

2old

You might also mention that the "tension" on the roof rack is against shear force which is extremely stout for this system. The detractors are acting like the weight of the straps is an additional deterrent.

Bald Paul

Now I understand. I mistakenly thought you were going to use the straps to attach to the bikes themselves, much like a stabilizing strap, hence my "bouncing along behind in the rear view mirror" comment. Apologies.

boggy

After using the strap setup for 3 e-bikes for a total travel time of about 4 hours on the car, I decided it was just too much hassle to work with the whole setup.

The setup really does work and is rock solid, but you have to weave straps through spokes of two bikes you load first, before loading third one. This takes extra time you load and unload bikes, and is just pain in the neck for everyone involved (obviously I have two more people anxious to go). I just want to throw bikes on the rack and go, and don’t monkey around with it wasting extra time.

I went ahead and ordered super duty double from 1UP with an extra add on, 1UP says this setup is good for 225lb load, 75lbs per bike when transporting 3 e-bikes. Which is way more than enough, since my e-bikes max out at 60lbs with battery installed (I take those off when transporting).

• Total carrying capacity of up to 225 lb (50-75 lb per bike spot) due to added support bar under tray

Thank you for recommendations. I considered Thule Epos, but they simply don’t have it in stock.

2old

I think you'll love the simplicity and quality of the 1UP. We've been using ours (MTB - no "e") for a couple of weeks and it's magnificent. Easy, rapid on and off. The only "trick" was to stagger the bikes (nose to tail for ours) in a manner that the seat post of one didn't interfere with the handlebars of the other (didn't take a brain surgeon to figure that out).

Kai Winters

I'm guessing you are trying very hard to come up with any excuse to exceed the weight limit of the bikes on the rack with a complete disregard for the safety of others...and hoping someone in this thread will support you to justify your carelessness.

boggy

There is no need to be rude, if you actually cared to read just a little further down the page you would find that I have ordered rack that is designed to carry more weight safely.

In the mean time, while I was using less capable rack, I have taken rather extreme steps to ensure safety of others. The only way it would hit the road, is if entire hitch assembly would fall of the SUV, in which case no rack in the world would many any difference.

Pop N Wood

I often wonder about the rated capacities of bike racks. I have an Allen motorsports 3 bike rack with a 1 1/4 in receiver, the cheapest one on Amazon. It is rated at 35# per bike. I've driven cross country with a 65# Ebike conversion and a recumbent on the rack. So less than the 105# total limit, but in excess of the 35# per bike.

Been driving that way for several years now. So who knows what is safe. Manufactures don't want to be sued and some people are absolute sticklers about following rules.

I do put the heaviest bike to the front to minimize the lever arm on the unit.

I knew what boggy was talking about with the straps. Seemed like a valid solution to me while also thinking it would be a PITA to string up every trip. Also wondered if it would upset the rule followers in this world.

2old

Pop, IMO you're correct about your placement of the bike where the "fulcrum" is shortest as well as manufacturers downgrading the specs for a rack as a safety factor. How much is anybody's guess, but I'd bet it's 50% for some.

2old

boggy, brilliant try, and sorry it was a PITA to implement.