I'm in the market for a 5 bike rack for my van. It will most often be used for 3 bikes since the 2 older kids are away at college. Unsure if i should spend premium money for a 5 bike rack when the need to carry that many is very infrequent at this point. All 5 bikes will be some form of basic mountain or hybrid bike. No road bikes and no super expensive bikes that I'd be worried about it getting a little banged up.

With that said can anyone offer up any suggestions or experience with a particular rack?

I'm looking at a $175 Curt rack, $350-450 Thule/Yakima, or possibly a $700-900 North Shore or something similar.

 

 

Ha, i thought about taking out the rear bench. but with a week's worth of luggage for 5 and a dog, I think interior will be in use. Especially since each of my 3 kids think they deserve a whole bench to themselves!

 

I have a cheaper Schwinn 2 bike carrier and during my commutes to work i see countless bike racks on vehicles. I will say, I feel like the Thule and Yakima are so much more stable and rigid than the "flimsier" looking ones. I almost always watch how they handle bumps and construction, and they just seem to handle the abuse better. Granted, it could be because the price reflects that.

Im interested in seeing which you decide to go with!

 

Install a front receiver hitch and carry on the front and back.

 

Hmmm....didn't think of that. I may explore that option and look at the numbers. 2 up front and 3 in the back.

 

That maybe the best option for 5 bikes besides the NorthShore. I have a Thule 4 bike rack. I like the quick tilt latch the allows to open the back door, but lifting up 4 bikes takes some effort. I do not like the fact that the arms are short for loading 4 bikes. It takes quite a bit to fit them. I think that, in general, the 4 bike carriers are good for 3 and the 5 bikes are good for 4.
Make sure you have an anti-wobble device to reduce movements. On long trips I usually tie a couple of straps from the top of the carrier to the back of the bumper.

 

Thats actually a really good idea.

I just found this article on a Sportsmobile forum.

Front 2" Receiver Hitch...Pros and Cons - Sportsmobile Forum

 

i wonder how negatively it affects the headlight output or if it blocks the airflow significantly

 

Bicycles ? No on both counts

 

OH ok. The air flow blockage was listed as a con on the sportsmobile thread. As for the headlights, it just looks like the bikes get in the way.

 

One or two bikes I don't see a problem. More than that, yea I can see it blocking somewhat.

 

Thanks. I'll post back on whatever I end up going with.

 

A front hitch comes in handy for other things as well. When I'm not using mine, I have a step insert in the receiver, that comes in handy when cleaning the windshield at fueling stops where all they have is that little short squeegee/brush to use. Can use it as a jacking point too.

 

I'm running into static with the wife on this. She says she doesn't like it and that it will obstruct her view. I may get the front hitch receiver using your reasons mentioned above and then one day just stick a bike rack on it and see what happens