VX bike rack

[VXjunky]

anyone know of a 4 bike, bike rack, or any bike rack that works on a VX....yes i did a site search

[Mile High VX]

I'm using a Thule 934XTR.

It's a hitch mount and I've only had two bikes on it so far but it works great for my needs.

[MSHardeman]

There were some "original" bike racks that fit the VX and VX Kat just bought and sold a couple from Bantan (I think). Don't know how difficult it would be to find them now.

I'm using a Frankenstein type set-up with a universal on the original cross bars that mounts a standard Yakima cross bar above the originals and then the bike racks mount to the Yakima bar. Not the cleanest set up, but it works with the fork mount bike rack from Yakima that I wanted to use (I think they're the Hammerhead's).

[etlsport]

I got a Bell rack that works in my tow hitch.. was about 120 at walmart.. its not the best, but it works and I have had 4 bikes on it with a little bit of puzzle fitting

[VXjunky]

thule or yakima would be my first choice...my concern was the way our rear door opens...as all pictures show them being used on up and down opening doors, opposed to our sideways ones...
MileHigh, are you able to still open your rear door with the thule in place?

[Mile High VX]

thule or yakima would be my first choice...my concern was the way our rear door opens...as all pictures show them being used on up and down opening doors, opposed to our sideways ones...
MileHigh, are you able to still open your rear door with the thule in place?

I can access some small stuff from the back if it's in the cargo net...helmets, gloves, locks, etc. The rear door will not fully open even with the rack empty and folded down. This is due to the post where the swivel is being too tall for the bottom curve portion of our rear door.

[VCrossfan]

If you have a 2" hitch I would go with the Sportworks. You can load/unload a complete bike in 30sec. I have the 2 extra bike attachment (but no pic's), warning with the extention onmaking it a 4 bike rack it sticks way out, I tie a red hanky on it,lol

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/2/thumbs/03310010.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=5817)

[JHarris1385]

I just bought the ones mentioned...Yakima Raptor Aero

[VX KAT]

I just bought the ones mentioned...Yakima Raptor Aero
Yeah, I sold the two racks (Yakima Raptor Aeros) to John. Looks like they're still available, I see them come up on several websites like REI, Amazon, Campmor, etc, in the $125 - $139 range, for a single. Guess that doesn't help Junky much if he needs 4......or would 4 fit up there? :_thinking Need a boat load of Horizontal Might Mounts, 3 per rack. I have 2 Might Mounts I was just about to list here for sale. Anybody interested?

[VXjunky]

not to be a stickler ....but i prefer the off the back, hanging, fold down type of which MileHigh speaks...wonderin if the Thule 957 would allow full access to the back when folded down...anyone got that model?

[Mile High VX]

not to be a stickler ....but i prefer the off the back, hanging, fold down type of which MileHigh speaks...wonderin if the Thule 957 would allow full access to the back when folded down...anyone got that model?

I downloaded the .pdf install manual and it looks like the post that the swivel mounts to is the same. If you look at the install manual you'll see where the up-post for the rack clips to the post that it swivels from. The top of this post is about an inch too tall to let the door swing completely open.

[TheGanzman]

There can be only ONE choice - 1upusa. This thing is built like a Porsche, and with extensions, can accomodate four bikes; I have a single extension to carry a second bike for mine:
http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10077/Receiver_005.JPG

[VXjunky]

Ganz , isnt your's stationary with noway of accessing the rear door entry, unless the bikes and rack are removed?...id prefer to have that ability to enter the rear door

[VXjunky]

found the correct combo, that allows the rear door to be opened with rack in folded position..... here goes..... Thule 957 (4 bike) 1'1/4 male, with 1"1/4 to 2" adapter, into 2" hitch receiver ..... all works as designed, full rear door access, plenty of clearance, ive uploaded pics in my gallery

[JHarris1385]

I will have to mention that with my VX lifted and the Bikes on top it was not easy getting them up there and off. I am roughly 12ft high when the bikes are mounted.

[VXjunky]

back in the day when i was still a spider monkey no problem....nowadays us old farts want it easy and accessible....having the bikes chest high fits that bill to a Tee

[etlsport]

glad you found one that works. I havent found one that will allow the rear door to open with the Tone style (hidden) tow hitch, which sits about 5-6" higher up than yours

[VXjunky]

dont think it would have worked with a 2" tongue into a 2" hitch receiver...the adapter saved my butt,(extra extension).....only 20 bucks for the adapter at harbor freight...Thule cost $160

[Mile High VX]

Let us know how bad the "bounce" is when carrying the bikes...I get some with mine at regular length and it will be interesting to see what happens for you with the extension...:bwgy::smilewink

[VXjunky]

the bounce is a concern

[crager34]

I have Tone's hitch and use the single bike carrier from raxter. I can open my door with the rack arms folded down. I think they make a 2 and possible a 3 bike carrier, but not sure if it will work.

[Triathlete]

I have a "doctored" fork mount that I got years ago before they were discountinued on my factory roof rack. I only use it when absolutely neccesary now. I put my bike in the back of the VX for transport. It only takes driving into your garage with the bike up top once to learn a hard (exspensive) lesson...
http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo150/Triathlete/Broke%20bike/014.jpg

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo150/Triathlete/Broke%20bike/017.jpg

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo150/Triathlete/Broke%20bike/018.jpg

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo150/Triathlete/Broke%20bike/020.jpg

[VXjunky]

i thought crap like that only happens to me....OUCH!

[JHarris1385]

Oh wow...that's terrible. I just got home from Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge State Park in KY and one part of it is the "Nada Tunnel" - which is a one way tunnel with very limited turn around spots since you are in the Gorge itself. About 2 miles out I see a sign that finally tells me the height inside the tunnel is 12ft, with no tape measurer and the bikes on top I had to measure from the group up with a piece of 10 1/2 inch paper and make sure I was fine. Luckily I was bout 8-10 inches shy, turning around would have been at least an hour to our starting position and put us 3-4 hours out from where we were headed.

Red River Gorge : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_River_Gorge#Nada_Tunnel
Nada Tunnel is on that page

Natural Bridge State Park:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_Bridge_State_Park_(Kentucky)

Overall I like them on top because getting in and out the rear door is already troublesome enough for someone like I, that does not have a rear popper. I personally would not want to have to swing an arm or two to get into the back. But that is just personal preference. However I said it earlier, it is NOT EASY getting them up and mounted in those tracks. I am 6'2'' and the height is a little bit of an issue. I could see it being much easier if my style of rack was one where you took off the front tire, since the spinning of the front tire is the biggest hassle when the bike is over your head.