looking to get a new car. Currently have a roof rack on an A4 sedan, but strongly prefer the set up on my girlfriends hatchback with a tow hitch. I'd consider getting a new a4 sedan, but also looking at the q5 which thought could be a good set up with tow hitch and gear. Anyone have pros/cons with a tow hitch rack on a sedan? don't see it very often so curious 


I'll need to carry two bikes minimum (would like 3 sometimes but could roof it, or put inside the car) and would get a kuat or 1 up rack most likely

Both those racks are light.  You shouldn't have any problems putting them on a car.  You will just have to be careful when going from level road to a steep incline like a driveway.  Some racks may drag.

I have a BMW sedan - have only used hitch rack with two travelers  - but have all parts to install roof rails and setup - never have installed.


Hitch Rack - Leave Wheels on bike  - Easy on easy off out of the way - Best rack option out there are the ones that your wheels fit in trays or mounts- Hanging- not so well for a nice bike. Like pictured.

No reason to lift bike up on top- risk of roof damage problems.

No trays to cause silly wind noise

No issues with odd bikes not fitting fork trays.


If she already has the rack - you just need a hitch on the car - Good to go.

I have the 1Up hitch mounted rack on my 2005 Acura TL.  Wouldn't do it any other way.  Even if I had a wagon or SUV with a roof mount, I would still install the same rack I have now.   

Pros:
No hoisting it up on to a roof after or before a ride.  Hands down easiest and quickest on/off rack you can buy.  Also consider if you have a garage, a roof mounted bike won't clear the garage door most likely.  So you can't just leave it on your car, which is a biggie if you ride day after day and just like to leave it on.  Also if you do want to take it on/off, you have to pull out first, then mount.  Then when you get home, it's a two step process again.  And of course, consider the house/garage/bike damage risk when pulling in the garage if you forget.  Also, with the 1Up rack, it only touches your tires, so no rubbing off the finish.  And I can get in to my trunk with it mounted, no problems.

I've had mine 3 years without a single issue.

I can really only think of 1 con and it's a relatively small one if you ask me.  You might knock your knee on it when loading stuff in the trunk, or walking around your car.  But I find once you get used to it being there, this is a non-issue.

To be honest, I use the low cost low maintenance trunk rack you strap on the car. It's cheap, non-permanent, and only takes a minute to get on/off once you're a pro at it. You can haul two bikes with it.

Advocat wrote on 05/12/14 at 11:58am:



I will be honest.  Having gone from a $150 Swagman rack that lasted me ~6 years to a more expensive 1Up, its a wash.  The 1up is much lighter and cool to look at but that's about it.  The special locking mechanism isn't any easier than a hitch pin.

Advocat wrote on 05/12/14 at 10:02pm:


Yes

To resurrect, I've had a Swagman for a couple years now. It's done the trick on hundreds of miles of gravel roads between Pisgah and a trip through Moose River Plains in NY state. It isn't much to look at, and looks sketch - but it works. And I really really really wanted a 1Up rack (to match my trainer). I just couldn't justify the cost. 

My $.02

RobP wrote on 05/21/14 at 4:37pm:


exactly, I didn't

ChrisJ82 wrote on 05/09/14 at 2:53am:


ANY auto with a bike on it looks good.

The only thing I would add is to consider how your hitch mounts. I bought one for my wife's Nissan Altima that mounts to the floor of the trunk (no frame to bolt to) and it can only handle a 2 bike rack. I was ticked when I found that out, as sometimes I want to take my 4 bike rack. So I'm limited to 2 on the rack and one in the trunk with the front wheel off.

I have a Tacoma truck that obviously will handle a 4 bike rack, but I wanted to use the Altima on longer trips for the fuel economy.