New to me bike racks

[davis38]

Well, I just picked up two Yakima Raptor bike racks for the Grand Cherokee. Got them for a sweet price: FREE :wings: but have a couple questions.

1. For all of you who transport your bikes on your roof, especially those with lifted rigs, do you find it to be a pain to lift your bike up and secure it?

2. Does anyone carry a step stool or something similiar to make the job easier?

I want to use these racks, and was wondering how you guys go about this task.

Thanks all!

 

[Cackalak Han]

I hated two things about a roof rack. One was that it was a pain lifting it up there and sometimes scratching the roof. Two was that I was constantly paranoid of hitting things (branches, signs, garages). Now I have a pick-up, so I just throw them in the bed, but if I were to get one for an SUV, I'd go with a hitch mount.

 

[ThomD]

We used to have those. Now we use the Cobra. I'm 5'8" and it is at my limit to put the bikes on the roof of the Forester. The trick is to be sure that you grab the bike as low as you can - low on the fork and seat tube.

Having said that, I'm tired of the roof top hassle and I'm moving toward a hitch mounted rack.

 

[RedDog]

SportRack makes both. I went with the 2EZ hitch mount. I can see my bike in the mirror and the mount pivots out of the way to open the cargo area. In my case with a TJ it also allows for hard, soft, or no top choice.

http://www.sportrack.com/a30901

 

[DaveInDenver]

I have roof and trailer racks, both are fine. I prefer putting them on the roof if possible. Anyway, to get them on top of a tall truck sliders are nice. On my truck the sliders are there as much as steps as anything, getting things on and off the roof, closing the WilderNest, etc. But having a wheel step is also handy.

 

[davis38]

Thanks for the replies! I also have a yakima hitch mount carrier, but was wanting to explore the roof options. Either way I know my bikes are goin with me.

Maybe we should start a "I haul my bike with this..." thread.

Thanks again

 

[Funrover]

I guess I never thought about it,, I just put the bikes up top and go... there are a few times I wish I was taller. When the rack is fully loaded I will stand on the tailgate to load the rear bikes that have their rack on top of the basket.