What would be the best way to attach a bike to an SUV?

Question

I have a Ford Escape and was thinking of getting a bike to increase my exercise. What would be the best way to properly tote a bike on my SUV?

Answer 1

Since 1996 when I bought my first SUV (Jeep Cherokee 4-door), I've always insisted on buying a car with a trailer hitch.

You wouldn't believe how much easier it is to have a trailer hitch when it comes to hauling bikes.  I've used roof racks before and I DETEST using them, especially on SUVs that are taller than normal cars.  It can be hard on your back, you can scuff up the car's paint if you accidently drop the bike, and of course there are the occasional "oops" of driving your car into your garage with the bike still on the roof (*crunch*).  I've also tried carrying a bike in the back of my SUV with the seats folded down, and it's a PITA to have to quick-release the front wheel and manhandle the bike into the back without leaving grease and dirt smears all over the upholstry.

With a hitch-mounted rack, it's easy to use, it's easier on your car's fuel economy, and the more fancy ones from Thule or Yakima have latches for putting the rack down so you can open your SUV's tailgate.

You can get a hitch installed on your Escape for around $150 I think, if it doesn't already have one.  A hitch-mounted rack is the best way to go IMHO.

Answer 2

I personally like the bike racks that attach to a receiver style trailer hitch. They swing down if you need to get into the back and don't physically touch the vehicle so you don't have to worry about scratches. see link below

Answer 3

If your Escape has a receiver hitch then by far the best way to attach the bike would be with a fold down bike rack that inserts into the receiver hitch.  This keeps the bike well off of the vehicle and carries it securely.   Most come in either a 2 or 4 bike capacity.  I would recommend the 4 bike capacity because even if you are just carrying two bikes sometimes they are difficult to carry next to each other if you have flat bars and the frame construction causes the saddles, bars, and wheels to interfere.

Answer 4

Bike rack attached to trailer hitch receiver.

I have a two-bike Thule.  It folds out to allow the rear door to open without having to take off the rack or the bikes on the rack.

There are other good systems.  I've just been very happy with my Thule.  I've had it for five years, and I hauled my bikes safely, once from eastern Iowa to Colorado.

Answer 5

I don't like racks. They always seem to scratch the car no matter how careful you are.

Roof racks would seem to do best, allowing the bike to rest on its wheels but they are hard to get the bike loaded and unloaded. And I've seen two spectacular accidents where the driver forgot it was up there and went under a low passage. One guy stopped just in time and only knocked it off the roof, mangled the fork and headset and scratched his car badly. The other guy was going into a parking lot at a race and pushed his multi-$K Orbea into the roof and turned it into a pile of carbon dust as well as many thousands in body work.

The Escape is a big beast. Fold down the rear seat, put the bike in through the back, rear wheel first. Jam the rear wheel into the crevice between the middle seat and the door, turn the front wheel and wrap a safety belt around the seatpost. Quick, easy, safe, secure and out of the rain. If you have a really big frame you may need to take the front wheel off.

Answer 6

Any bike that has a quick release front wheel will fit in the back without folding the rear seat down.  I have 2 different SUVs and keep the bikes inside the cargo area whats the point of an SUV if you don't use the cargo area?  Keeping the bike locked up in the back keeps people from being tempted to swipe it!!!  After a ride you don't have to worry about stopping at Hardes for a thick burger and someone stealing your bike while you enjoy your after ride reward to yourself.  

If you don't want to store it inside next best is a roof rack just don't forget it's on the top when you get home and pull into the garage.

As far as trailer hitch mounts and the others that hang off the back, I was driving behind some guy and saw his very nice Trek come loose and bounce off the road at 65 Mph not much left after that, and he did not even know it fell off till I caught up to him and yelled out the window!!

Answer 7

Hum...

You could probably fold down the seat and stick it in the back.  This might require removing the front wheel, though.

You can get a trunk rack.  Just be aware, the straps of a trunk rack will tend to mar your vehicle's paint.  Also, not all bikes go on a trunk rack easily and their paint job is subject to getting torn up by the rack.  Don't expect your bike to be safe on the rack if you take your eyes off it.  You won't be able to get in and out of the back with the rack mounted.  Finally, the straps will vibrate in the wind and make a lot of racket.  The good news is they are cheap and work OK.

If your vehicle is equipped with a receiver hitch, you can get a receiver rack.  These tend to hold the bikes well, but some designs will tend to chew up your bike's paint job.  The ones that hold the bike by the wheels will be the easiest on the paint.  A receiver rack is more than a trunk rack, but less than a roof rack.

A roof rack will be the most expensive, but also the most secure and flexible.  Mounts are made to hold nearly any type of bike, as well as lots of other gear.  Because the bikes will be in the wind flow, you'll notice a significant drop in your milage.

Hope this helps.