Home Made Bike Rack

[wifes rogue]

I have been looking around for a while now to find a bike rack that would mount in the hitch, and hold 2 bikes with a non-standard frame. Well all I could find were ones that would hold the bike too high and block my rear view window ( and we know how small it is already). So I decided to build my own. My wife and I are driving down to Florida and we are taking the bikes with us.This is not the end result, but it will get the job done for now. During the winter when I won't be in such a rush, I will cut the main bar and make it swing down ward to be able open the rear hatch. Enjoy the pictures, maybe it will help someone else with an idea.

[Pescakl1]

Looks really nice, congrats.

Maybe, the red bike is a little bit too close to the car and may damage the rear bumper or the hatch when you will go over bumps and holes (even if you go to Florida, part of the trip will be in Canada ).

Are you still able to move it back a bit, like one or two inches, or is it too late?

[philipa_240sx]

Pescakl, have you test driven this configuration?

I speak from personal experience... the wind and vibration at highway speeds will move the bikes around alot. If they are not 100% secured, you will end up with damage to the bikes and the vehicle.

BTW, my Yakima BigHorn rack initially blocked rearward view. My wife's mountain bike has a wierd frame/top tub location. Since the arms bolt separately to the mast, I was quickly able to chop 5" off with a bandsaw and reattached the arms. For $200 CDN (2005 prices) it's a good rack with tilt down capabilities so you can access the hatch area. I love it. In your case, you could chop this rack even further... easily 10" and still not lose alot of ground clearance.

Here is the picture before I chopped the mast, it's 5" lower now and I can see out the rear view window.

Original thread with more photos:

zerothread?id=283582

[Pescakl1]

Pescakl, have you test driven this configuration?

I think you want to say that to WifesRogue, don't you? Even if you all three own the same color Rogue, I am the only one with a Quebec license plate.

BTW, I need my 1 at the end of my pseudo, otherwise, my name is not complete (Kael instead of Kael1). .

I speak from personal experience... the wind and vibration at highway speeds will move the bikes around alot. If they are not 100% secured, you will end up with damage to the bikes and the vehicle.

Yes, that is why I suggested him to move it back a bit, lots of turbulence out there at highway speed. I usually strap the bikes to the rack to limit the amplitude of the movements.

[wifes rogue]

[QUOTE=Pescakl1]Even if you all three own the same color Rogue, I am the only one with a Quebec license plate.

The only thing I like about the Quebec license plate is that you only need 1.

And I have not tested this yet and I will be strapping the Bikes to the main post like a crimal going to jail. I will also be putting some pading on the red bike just to be sure it doesnt hit the bumper, I dont want my wife to kill me on our trip.

Side note, going to get my oil changed this weekend (only at 2,700 kms) just so I dont go over, plus the whole break in period thing.

[philipa_240sx]

I think you want to say that to WifesRogue, don't you?

My mistake.

[wifes rogue]

So over the weekend I had a chance to strap the bikes down and do a test drive (not far at all, up and down the street but turning side to side more for the sway).My first test, the bikes were moving side to side, and it made me think it was all gone to poop. I decided to change the way I strapped the bikes, and added some sponge just in case. The bikes didn't move, so I was happy with the result. The true test though will be once I arrive to Florida and see if I need a new paint job on the bumper or not. Ill keep you posted.