1. Home
  2. Subaru Cars Forum
  3. Bike Rack for 05 OBW Wife Use

Bike Rack for 05 OBW Wife Use

Hello all,

I bought an 05 OBW with the tow package. My intentions were to use the receiver hitch for a 4 bike rack. Bought a Yakima King Pin 4 bike rack with an adaptor to go from 2" receiver to 1.25", so I could use on my Toyota and my wife's OBW. Problem is that at 31 lbs for the rack and difficulty of mounting into receiver, my wife struggle with using this rack. Even after getting it onto the car, she is having trouble lifting a 25 lbs bike and placing it over the arms, etc. The Yakima is pretty high even mounted on the OBW. In short, is there another hitch type rack that would be easier for a person of limited strength to use? What about the Subaru hitch rack; it supposedly is made to require less lifting? Other brands? I've read some of the posts on hitch typevbike racks, but none specific for this situation.

Gregg

Reply to
G.R. Aydelotte
Loading thread data ...

We use the Sportster. It is different than other racks in that the bikes sit on their wheels, and are held down by a spring-loaded or ratcheted (depending on the model) arm. It folds up to a vertical position when not in use, so it can stay on the car. To access the rear hatch, just lower the rack (it is hinged). My wife can lift her bike onto it with no problem. The rack is fairly expensive, though (two-bike version is around $250.) It can also be locked to the hitch, and the bikes locked to the rack using a Kryptonite cable and lock. I also use a tiny master lock instead of a cotter pin on the bolt (prevents loss or theft of the pin). Best rack we ever bought.

Reply to
Alan

. snipped-for-privacy@posting.google.com...

Two options: 1. Get a stronger wife 2. Get a lighter bike. Honestly,

30 lbs is not a heck of a lot. Leave the rack on the car as long as it folds down there shouldnt be a problem.
Reply to
busterb

I Have a Sportworks hitch rack. Seems to be what Alan is describing. I think Saris also makes a hitch rack with wheel trays. I use mine with a recumbent but the trick I learned should apply to a diamond frame bike too; put one wheel into the tray and then lift the other wheel in. Easier than picking up the whole bike. This would only work for the outermost tray in the system, though.

formatting link

Reply to
harv

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.