Topic: Bike Racks

[Brigitte]

I know.  Crazy!  Might want to check with a local rack shop to see if there's a solution for you.

[mrthompson]

Thanks, Mr. T.  What do you (and Quad) use for security?  Is the hitch safe from theft?  How about the bikes?  Just a regular lock will do?

I have a Sportrack version of the Swagman ktm525 owns.  I don't leave the bike unattended for more than a few minutes so I haven't needed anything for security.

You can get locking hitch pins to protect the rack itself.  And most bike racks offer some type of optional locking features.

Another option is to trade in the Jetta for a Honda Element. 

[quadzilla]

Re locking bikes to rack:

When going to an event I always try to park beside the guys with better bikes.   Otherwise, when out in places where I'm concerned, they get stuffed into the back of the car. With my rack I could run a cable lock through it and the bikes if needed.

Re locking the rack to the car:

I've seen locks you can put through where the bolt goes but since mine is suck a to get at I've never worried about it. IE: I have to unscrew the bottom of my bumper, pull it away from the hitch then install/uninstall my hitch then put the bottom of the bumper back on again. The plus side of this is my hitch install looks stealth when the rack isn't on the car.

[Brigitte]

Another option is to trade in the Jetta for a Honda Element. 

I think a hitch rack would be cheaper.   

Quad, good to know, re: the stealth aspect.

[Wolverine]

I have been using Thule roof Rack and bike support for more than 2 years, rock solid and very dependable.