I use a platform carrier for two adult bikes. I like it a lot. My advice is to absolutely go with a 2"receiver for hauling 4 bikes. That is a lot. also, on a smaller car like the Subaru, consider a riser for the receiver that will lift the rack another 4 to 6 inches. With a load of bikes sticking that far out in back, you will encounter scraping when driving in and out of pitched driveways into gas stations and elsewhere. the riser will go a long way toward eliminating that. Also, some states will be picky about using any sort of bike cover that obscures the tail lights of the vehicle. A small car like a suaru is one such car that would be problematic in that regard.
>________________________________ > From: WETH <erlhous...@gmail.com> >To: rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com >Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2014 3:31 PM >Subject: [RBW] Hanging vs Platform Hitch Bike Carriers > > >Apologies if this has been discussed in a thread missed by my addled brain and >weary eyes. >For some upcoming family bike adventures, I am in the market for a hitch >mounted bike carrier for my Subaru Forester. It must hold four (4) adult-size >steel-frame bikes most with albatross bars. I am leaning toward a platform >carrier as they seem to hold the bikes further apart and appear easier to >load. They seem to extend further rearward than hanging carriers do. Also, >it appears, from reviews I have read, that hanging carriers hold one fewer >bike than advertised. Much like a tent comfortably holds 1 fewer person than >advertised. So, I would be comparing a 5 bike capacity hanging carrier with a >4 bike capacity platform carrier. >Am I on or off base with the above? Any advice or suggestions on hitch >mounted racks that can accommodate 4 bikes? Personal experiences with >platform vs hanging? >As always I appreciate the wisdom and experience of this group. >Thanks, Erl >PS: I have a Yakima roof mounted carrier system on my car, but my back >dislikes the reach to the roof of the taller Subaru. > >-- >You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW >Owners Bunch" group. >To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. >Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. >For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
