However, when getting through tough terrain, both your vehicle and bike rack may be negatively affected by the up-and-down movements.
Don’t worry! The useful tips below will let you know how to stabilize your hitch bike rack!
Quick Hitch Bike Rack Set-up On The Vehicle
Contents
The simplicity and speed of installing the rack on your car are remarkable. It takes no more than two single hands of a person for the installation.
Setting up the hitch bike rack on your car is quick and simple
There is even no assembly needed. You need to get ready to operate!
To carry out the quick set-up on your car, follow the steps below.
- One hand stabilizes the rack, the other aims and poses on the hitch ball.
- Place the hitch bike rack head on the ball.
- Raise the arm mounting bar, and then lock the handle provided. It will manage the “plate” of the bike rack to be able to lock it without forcing.
- A knob is available to refine the tightening on the gooseneck.
- Attach your license plate, plug the power plug for the lights and in less than a minute the bike rack is ready.
As can be seen, setting up a hitch bike rack is simple. This accessory works remarkably well. It’s very intuitive and functional!
Setting Up The Bike On The Hitch Bike Rack
Some bike rack models are using the new removable frame attachment arms. They offer the possibility that you can move, detach, and fix with even one hand.
Try to place the bikes on the hitch bike rack properly.
The arms are equipped with a thumbwheel that will need positioning to clamp your bike to a point on the frame. The wheel will click when optimal tightening is achieved.
This is a small detail that allows you to hold the bike during the establishment easily.
Some Tips To Stabilize Your Hitch Bike Rack
Whatever type of rack you have, here are some tips for stabilizing your hitch-mounted bike rack.
Making use of the car bumper
When establishing the hitch bike rack on your car, make sure you correctly place the lower wheel on the bumper’s horizontal surface.
If you assure this, the bumper can support more weight of both the rack and the bikes.
The bumper is one of a substantial part attached to the rear car that can support stabilizing strap and alleviate the weight pressure on the hook.
Therefore, try to position the hitch bike rack correctly on the bumper to make the best use of this car part.
Choosing your car depends on your hitch bike rack
You may find it a bit weird that how can an accessory affect your choice of dream car?
The compatibility of the hitch bike rack and the vehicle is important.
However, if you are serious about cycling, this is recommended to carry your bike more safely and conveniently.
When you have resolved both the car and the rack you consider buying, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to check if both your vehicle and hitch bike rack are compatible.
Make sure of no bike wheels spinning
You can leave the wheel of your bike spin in short trips. However, on long trips, they had better be in place.
The point is, if you leave the wheels spin, there is no different than you are cycling the whole distance your long trip takes.
Unlike roof racks, hitch bike racks do not help keep the wheels of the bike in place.
Therefore, to prevent the wheels from rotating, you need to use the bungee cord or support belt to tie around each wheel. Using a spare strap is also a good idea.
Do not let the bike be too close to the ground
The rule is to make sure there is an appropriate distance between the wheels of your bike and the ground.
Only by that will you avoid dragging the wheels of your bike on the road when crossing large bumps or high slopes. The problem can even be worse if the bicycle knocks off the rack.
Therefore, to avoid this problem, try to hang the bike higher by changing the position of the frame of the rack to a safe height.
Using stabilizing strap
This is an additional tool supporting your hitch-mounted bike rack. The belt helps reduce stress on your hitch bike carrier.
It connects your vehicle and bike rack, partly support stabilizing your hitch bike rack.
When your car move, it will create certain access weight. By alleviating this amount of weight, the strap considerably reduces potential up-and-down movements.
You can use straps to stabilize your hitch bike rack effectively
Installing this strap is comfortable. You need to find a suitable point on the bike rack to make a loop around it. The other head of the strap is the hook. Properly attach this hook on the back of your trunk so it can effectively stabilize the position of the hitch bike rack.
Connect both ends of the strap, pull it tight, and use the hook and loop to keep it together.
The straps are often made of rubber, which means there is no need to worry about scratching over your vehicle.
You can choose whichever strap works best for your vehicle as well as your rack.
Using stabilizing straps helps limit the ups and downs movements of the vehicle when going over rough terrain.
Try using this accessory to stabilize your hitch bike rack. Hope you have peace of mind in knowing that you have extra support.
In Summary
Hitch bike rack is a handy accessory, especially when you are a cycling lover. However, to properly use it and make the best of it, you need to stabilize your hitch bike rack.
Above are some tips that help you assure your hitch-mounted bike rack is properly used. Hope with these tips, and you will have no difficulty in enjoying your trip with the bikes.
Please let us know if you have any question!