Your preference for bicycle racks/carriers?

[ljnlaw]

I am in the market for a bicycle rack/carrier for my E53 X5. Should I go with a roof rack mount, a trailer hitch mount or a rear tailgate mount? I want to carry up to 4 bicycles at a time for the family when we go on short trips. My X is lowered and even still I am only 5'9" and it seems it may be tough to get the bikes up and down off of a roof rack system which I seem to prefer.

Does anyone currently run a rack that hangs off of the rear tailgate? Trailer hitch may be tough for me I have a back-up camera mounted in the removable plate where the traler hitch would go in the rear valence of my X. What make and models do you recommend (Yakima, Thule, etc.)? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Lawren

[DutchK]

lawren

I looked into the same issue and decided to go with the roof rack (Thule) but note the following:

I am a little taller but not so much it would make a difference, although my X5 is not lowered you still need to reach up pretty high to load on the bikes.

The racks (all brands) that run off the back are only made to carry up to three bikes due to weight constraints so if you want to carry a total of four bikes off the back, you'll need to use the trailer hitch type (but as you've noted that might be problematic duse to the camera set-up you are running)

[c4racer]

I have both. I do not like the 3-4 bike hitch set-ups, because they extend too far from the vehicle. I use a 2 bike hitch set-up. And I have roof mounts as well. The hitch mount is really easy to install and takes less time than the roof racks. Also - the bikes are out of the path of bugs and other road grime. But they are exposed to backing into something, or a car hitting you from behind. Really it is personal preference - the hitch mount is generally easier to deal with. And if you have a box up top there may not be enough room for bikes. So all depends on your specific needs. Both are good solutions, IMHO. I use both Thule and Yakima roof stuff, but prefer Thule. My hitch mount is a Yakima.

[JCL]

I have used a Thule with Crossroad 450 load bars on three vehicles now. I can mount it in less than 5 minutes if I am not changing the carriers themselves. I don't have an issue with the height, but I am 6"4". I would carry a Rubbermaid step stool if I needed more height. I often step on the door sill (always remembering to take the cleats off first) to reach the wheels which are usually mounted on the vehicle centreline and where I have to reach up to the the hub to attach them. Pictures below on the 2003 X5, and the current X3. I have a fork-mount carrier (Thule) for the Trek carbon road bike, three Thule tray-mount carriers with a swing up arm on each for other bikes, and an ATOC tandem topper, fork mount, convertible for either a single bike or a tandem. The ATOC is now sold by Thule. I have had various combinations of three bikes mounted, often with wheels in separate holders, and could mount four bikes if I wanted (I don't have four bikes to carry at the moment, but I am working on fixing that). I don't think I could fit four bikes in fork-mount carriers with separate wheel holders, so look for tray mount models if you want four bikes up there.

I personally like the roof mount since the bikes stay cleaner IMO, and mine are high-end road bikes. I like having clear access to the rear hatch. I have used lots of roof attachments, and have never forgotten them and driven under a low clearance. You do need to remember they are there, but the sunroof helps (and you can see if the bikes are moving around while driving). I have had a hitch on most of my vehicles, and would likely use a hitch carrier if I was carrying mountain bikes (heavier to lift, often dirty after riding).

If I got a hitch carrier, it would only a design that has the bikes sitting in a wheel tray vs the ones that the bikes hang on; they are available for four bikes but I would worry about the size of the carrier. Two bike models are more convenient.

I would not buy any rack that hangs off the rear hatch, they are not in the same league.

I like Thule products, and have used them for about 20 years, but feel that Yakima are just as good. My regular supplier is Rack Attack, and since they carry all different brands they seem unbiased in their recommendations.

Thule and others have good web sites where you can build your rack, exploring the different options.

Let me know if you have any specific questions. Good luck.

[ljnlaw]

Very much appreciated guys! I think I am going to call Rack Attack and bend their ear a little to pick the best roof mount system for my application. BTW after speaking to my wife and younger daughter it appears I only need a carrier that will hold 2 bikes.

Lawren

[cobra94563]

I have both. What I end up using is if it is 2 people +2 bikes day trip, I try to put the bikes with the seats down. If 2-3 people, I usually mount the hitch rack, just easier put the rack on and load the bikes. I use the roof rack only if I have 4+ bikes or using a cargo box.

I could see using the roof rack if you tend to leave the rack over an extended period.
(or I was tall enough to more easily load the bikes on the inside trays.)