Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get a hitch-mounted rack for my SUV for a while now. My old roof rack was a pain – always worried about scratching the paint, and honestly, lifting bikes up there was getting old. So, I finally decided to do this thing.
Figuring Out What I Needed
First, I had to figure out what kind of rack I even wanted. There are, like, a million options. Platform racks, hanging racks… it’s confusing! I watched a bunch of videos, read some stuff, and eventually decided on a platform-style rack. Seemed easier to load and unload, and less chance of the bikes banging into each other.
The Search Begins…
Then came the fun part – shopping! I looked at a few local stores first, just to get a feel for things. Saw some pretty pricey ones, and some that looked, well, kinda flimsy. I needed something that was gonna be solid, you know? Didn’t want my bikes falling off on the highway!
I jumped online and started comparing, and I found the one I finally bought.
Installation Day
The rack arrived, and it was a BEAST. Seriously, this thing was heavy. I managed to wrestle it out of the box and started looking at the instructions. They were… okay. Pictures mostly, which is good because I’m more of a visual learner anyway.
First step was attaching the hitch adapter. My SUV already had a hitch receiver (thank goodness!), so that part was easy. Just slid it in and tightened down the bolt. Felt pretty solid.
Next, I had to assemble the rack itself. It came in a few pieces, so there was some bolting involved. I’m not the handiest person, but even I managed to figure it out. Took a little longer than I expected, but hey, I got it done.
Loading the Bikes
Finally, time to test it out! I grabbed my bike and… whoa, this is way easier than the roof rack! Just lift it onto the platform, secure the wheels, and clamp down the frame. Done! Did the same with my wife’s bike, and they both fit perfectly.
The Test Drive
Okay, moment of truth. Took the SUV for a spin around the block, then out on a slightly bumpy road. Checked the bikes in the rearview mirror constantly – they were rock solid! No swaying, no rattling, nothing. Success!
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’m super happy with this hitch rack. It’s way more convenient than my old roof rack, and it feels really secure. It was a bit of an investment, but definitely worth it for the peace of mind. Now, bring on the bike trips!
