OK, this is my first post here, so first of all, hi. Second of all, I have a question about hauiling bikes. I have a Toyota Tacoma right now, so hauling bikes is not a problem. I am most likely going to be getting rid of the Tacoma soon infavor of something more gas friendy (gas was $4.25 on the way to work this morning). If I decide to go with a car such as a Civic or Impreza, would I still be able to haul four bikes? I am just getting into riding, and my family and I have really been enjoying it. We are really into physical activity, both of my kids are competetive swimmers, I run everyday, and my wife works out everyday. We are trying to find something that we can all do together and stay active. Biking sounds like the answer to me. So, back to my original question, is it possible to haul four bikes with a car and not a truck? How about with one of the crossover vehicles? Anyone that has information or experience with this would be great. Thanks in advance.
How to haul bikes?
- Thread starter yellowjam
- Start date
if you're looking for good mileage, stay away from roof racks, putting bikes up there is like installing a sail.
Get a hitch mount installed, and frmo there you have 2 options, regular style racks and flat racks (like you see for motorcycles, and not unlike what hunters use to haul carcasses)
Get a hitch mount installed, and frmo there you have 2 options, regular style racks and flat racks (like you see for motorcycles, and not unlike what hunters use to haul carcasses)
Good idea about a hitch rack. I have not noticed a reduction in gas mileage with my hitch rack.
But if you want to carry 4 bikes, try to find a vehicle that can accept a 2 inch hitch. A car like the Civic can only take 1 1/4, which is the size for the 2 bike racks.
But if you want to carry 4 bikes, try to find a vehicle that can accept a 2 inch hitch. A car like the Civic can only take 1 1/4, which is the size for the 2 bike racks.
Yea I've got a tacoma now, but the mileage isn't great. I've been looking into getting a small car as a daily driver and keeping the taco for ride trips.
I've got 4-door sedan and can lug 3 mtn bikes or 4 road bikes on top with my Yakima racks. It's a bit noisy and I'm sure its killing my gas mileage when loaded up. You can always get a hitch for the rear on any car, that might be your cheapest and best pro-gas solution.
This depends on what type of bikes you are carrying. 4 road bikes or light XC bikes fit fine on the roof of most sedans and wagons. Be careful if your fitting it on 2 door. The lack of rear doors requires the rack feet to be closer together, which makes the system weaker. I lost my rack on my VW this way.
Hitch racks work great as they are much easier to load and can carry a much heavier bikes (ie, freeride and DH bikes)
However, while you can technically get a 2" rack and 4 bikes on a sedan or wagon, driving them sucks. I did this to my wagon and I ended up buying a truck within a year I became so frustrated. The cantelievered weight of the rack combined with the softer springs and lower clearance of a car make for lots or dragging and swearing.
If you intend to use a hitch rack with 4 bikes, look at a vehical that has upgradable rear springs and good ground clearance. I added airbags to the rear of my 4wd Tacoma to keep the truck level even with though I was only carrying 2 heavy bikes.
Good luck
Hitch racks work great as they are much easier to load and can carry a much heavier bikes (ie, freeride and DH bikes)
However, while you can technically get a 2" rack and 4 bikes on a sedan or wagon, driving them sucks. I did this to my wagon and I ended up buying a truck within a year I became so frustrated. The cantelievered weight of the rack combined with the softer springs and lower clearance of a car make for lots or dragging and swearing.
If you intend to use a hitch rack with 4 bikes, look at a vehical that has upgradable rear springs and good ground clearance. I added airbags to the rear of my 4wd Tacoma to keep the truck level even with though I was only carrying 2 heavy bikes.
Good luck
or just drive the speed limit. WHen I use my roof rack I slow down to 60mph, get about 31-32, same as when I got 70 without bikes on top.
if one puts 3 or 4 bikes on top and drive 80+ mph like a lot of "extreme" people around here do, I can see how you can get rammed with poor milage.
highway speeding... mt dew's next X-TREEEEEmE sport
Welcome to the monkey!
extreme speeding only happens when you have bike, ski, and surf board on your roof while going 90. It helps if all three came from Costco.highway speeding... mt dew's next X-TREEEEEmE sport
My civic gets 33/26 without the roof rack. With the racks I get 30/24. With 2 road bikes on the roof (front wheels off) I get 26/22. Yea, definite reduction of fuel efficiency with roof top bike racks (w/ or w/o) bikes attached
Nice to know I'm "extreme"
Performance makes one i know, but it may not haul 4 mtb's. Road bikes and bikes with simple frames seem fine though.
ok it doesn't really matter where you mount the bikes...your gas mileage is still going to suffer. Obviously the best place is inside the car but that's not always possible...anything else will upset your cars aerodynamics so whether they're on the roof or trunk isn't really going to make a difference. Personally I would prefer to mount them on the roof if possible. It's harder for thieves to get to them and if you get into a car accident your bikes have a better chance coming out in one piece if they're on the roof....D
This is true...but it's not all that fun to have a roof rack on when you aren't hauling bikes/boards/whatever. Most locks on roof racks are so half assed that thieves won't really be challenged at all, unless you mean they won't be as likely to take them because they're higher up. I guess my big thing is getting 20 mpg at best on the highway when it's usually close to 28. My mom's car still gets around the 30 it usually does with her hitch rack.
As for the accident...that's a pretty good point I never thought of. Any chance bikes would be covered by auto insurance? what about if you got hit?