Bike Carriers

[Tom Treks]

I'm looking for a decent hitch-style bike carrier. Anyone have a suggestion? I've been looking at the Yakima and the Thule. I've also seen a few other brands that were quite a bit cheaper than the aforementioned. I'd like to keep it as inexpensive as possible, but don't want a rattling piece of crap either.

Nighthiker? CK? Beuhler?

[bzachar]

Tom,
We've got a Saris in excellent condition which we don't use anymore. Holds two bikes, mounts in hitch receiver. If you'd like to pursue it PM me.

See http://www2.sarisproducts.com/racks/999.html

Bill

[Nighthiker]

I drive a jeep wrangler and cherokee. I have a spare tire mount and receiver mount. My spare tire mount is a Thule that I bought at a thirft store for $ 40.00 and it was brand new. The thirft store had a half price sale so I ended up only paying $ 20.00. I use this one on the wrangler and I can open the tailgate when it is attached on either vehicle. If I go camping and I take the jeep trailer or the tent trailer I use the Thule carrier.

I fabricated one from thick walled tube stock. I made the receiver end long enough so that I can use it on either jeep (my cherokee has the spare tire mounted on the tailgate) and I have a jerry can bracket attached so I can carry a five gallon gas can (filled only at the last gas station I can find on my trip), or a water can or a large metal ammo container than I can use the space for extra secured storage. I found a grabber spare tire bicycle carrier and I used the bike bracket on the carrier that I made.

I think it mostly depends on what type of vehicle you drive, where you would like to carry the bicycle, and if you would like to have easy access to your vehicle. They are expensive, so I made one and I was fortunate to find the Thule rack.