BIKE RACKS AND CARRIERS FOR CARS MEGATHREAD - all questions asked and answered here

Gripsport finally have a vertical rack:

Scoobs looks to be struggling with the weight.

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Angle of the dangle. Interesting. AMB have a review out soon.

Haha... wouldn't be a rack issue, more recently those Subys have those silly euro piggy dick towbars, not sure if that's what's going on but it looks worrying to potentially hang over $50k of bikes on and bounce up shuttle roads.
 
Gripsport finally have a vertical rack:

Looks like a good rack. The sidecar hoops are a good idea for kids bikes and the light bar is great but still not technically legal, as you need to see all lights at a 45-degree angle. Kind of make all racks illegal really if you go down the full letter of the law.
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4x2 Hilux - any good carrying options for two bikes or just lie them flat and strap down?

MTB's do not fit on a current Hilux tub tray longways without the tailgate dropped. 1 will fit diagonally.

If I had a ute and was only carrying 2 bikes, I would probably drop the tailgate and strap them down MX style by putting straps over the grips and cinching down to tie down points. Other ways are removing front wheel bolting to a thru axle receiver mounted in or on the tray.
 
It's one of these and the tray is enormous

Lie them down diagonally, on the non-drive side of the bike, wheels away from each other into opposite corners of the tray. Strap them into the corners so they cant move... or just do the moto-style thing, and prepare for harsh judgement from actual moto riders.
 
Go full moto. If its good for 100kg of moto, it's good for any bike.

This. Ratchet strap up from one side f the tray, once around the stem and down to the other. Easy peasy, and wont trash your bike from laying it down on the tray.
 
Question, which is bike rack adjacent (Potentially one for the quick question thread?)

I've got the older version of the below Thule bike rack.
Ever since I had it the lights have been a bit hit and miss - Think likely because the wiring gets pulled around a bit and maybe some euro conversion issues.

How difficult is it rewire it up myself?
I'm a real novice with electrical related stuff beyond connecting speaker wires

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Question, which is bike rack adjacent (Potentially one for the quick question thread?)

I've got the older version of the below Thule bike rack.
Ever since I had it the lights have been a bit hit and miss - Think likely because the wiring gets pulled around a bit and maybe some euro conversion issues.

How difficult is it rewire it up myself?
I'm a real novice with electrical related stuff beyond connecting speaker wires

View attachment 401130
I had the same issue when Mrs @nzhumpy pulled the rack off with out unplugging it first, pulled some of the wires out from the round 7 pin to flat pin converter, was easy enough to relace.

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I had the same issue when Mrs @nzhumpy pulled the rack off with out unplugging it first, pulled some of the wires out from the round 7 pin to flat pin converter, was easy enough to relace.

View attachment 401198
I’ve done plenty of fiddling with the wires inside the converter. Would have pulled it apart 10+ times. Getting the wiring colours and numbers from Thule was like pulling teeth, took weeks.

I was hoping to bypass it all and run fresh wires throughout
 
I was hoping to bypass it all and run fresh wires throughout
Yeah, just do that. Although if cables from existing components are good, I wouldn’t rewire those, just reroute to your new wiring and connect up.

I built a number plate and light board for my rack. EBay led trailer lights (sides for brake/indicator, and a plate light). Bought a plug and wiring cable as well.

Used a small jiffy box and some screw terminals (like this https://www.jaycar.com.au/10-amp-12-way-screw-terminal-strip/p/HM3196 and https://www.jaycar.com.au/jiffy-box-grey-130-x-68-x-44mm/p/HB6023 ) to make it easier to change out for a new plug in the future if I need to.

Given it sits on a rack out in the elements and bumps around a lot, I also used zip ties and silicone at all the points where cables enter/exit things for strain relief and waterproofing. Been running strong for 5 years now. Only had to rewire the plug itself once (kids yanking it out by the cord).
 
4x2 Hilux - any good carrying options for two bikes or just lie them flat and strap down?

Mount two thru-axle mounts to the back of the tray/up against the cab. Forks in mount, ratchet strap though the saddle rails and attach to either side of the tray. Easy done.
 
Hi folks, new car, new racks.

Got a Suzuki GV (on with the spare wheel on the back) looking at options for bike racks. New to this style of boot so trying to figure out what works. I have tossed up something like the spare wheel rack but decided against as I have an existing top tube rack and it's not ideal for dually front triangles. Also moves a fair bit.

*Edit: I also have another car which may use the rack occasionally which uses a normal vertical tailgate so that might factor into the decision.

That pretty much leaves hitch or towball mounts. I like towball mounts but they can't beat hitch mounts for stiffness. Something like a used gripsort rack or yakima twotimer/ holdup2 would work. Questions about these:
- Do I need to buy a long adaptor to clear the spare tyre?
- Fully folded down can I still fully open the swing arm door?
- Does anyone actually run their cars with the racks on all the time?
- Are there numberplate light bars that don't cost the earth as this is looking like a $1k affair which means other models start becoming viable
- Other recommendations.
 
Hi folks, new car, new racks.

Got a Suzuki GV (on with the spare wheel on the back)

ISI Racks. That's one of the areas they specialise in. Getting off-road racks to fit 4WDs like Prados, Pajeros and the likes with a spare on the back door.
 
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