roof rack vs hitch rack

DargSide

DargSide

Active Member
Bought a 2008 Subaru legacy (sedan) and was wondering what people prefer, I'll need to put a class 2 hitch on it anyway for my boat, but a roof rack would be nice
opinions?
 
I personally prefer hitch racks, specifically the type with a screw instead of a pin. They seem more solid to me. Roof racks always freak me out on the highways when you see the bikes sway from high speeds and corsswind. Of course, both roof and hitch racks really depend on the type and quality/brand of the rack.

In your case, Subarus usually have roof rack ready rails which work quite well. If this is the case, I'd go for a quality roof rack so you can tow your boat and bikes around at the same time!
 
If you're mounting a hitch already, a hitch rack is a no brainer. Hitch racks > roof racks period, unless you need to carry 5+ bikes, like muddy bikes crapping on the paint of your car, enjoy decreased mpgs, like to take more time taking the rack off the car, or are paranoid about being rear-ended.

Get a Kuat or Thule hitch rack and don't look back.
 
It only makes sense to get the hitch rack, I could always throw bikes in the boat.

Does Thule make a rack that has a hitch ball on the end?
 
DargSide said:
It only makes sense to get the hitch rack, I could always throw bikes in the boat.

Does Thule make a rack that has a hitch ball on the end?
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that would create an unexpected "lever" on the back of the car - bad idea to have a pivot point two feet back - if you had a boat, it might be possible to mount the bikes on the front of
the trailer, angled with the bow. this would create more tongue weight (the boat is set over the axle to control tongue weight.) put them in the boat with a bungie and some blankets.....
 
Or build a rack system that attaches to the post where the winch is mounted to increase tongue weight
 
not having hitches on my cars, I am happy with roof mounted Thule system. Also, it is interchangeable between my 2 cars.

Not sure how low hitch-mount carried bikes would be, but you may need to beware of having carbon rims or other carbon parts near hot exhaust.
 
IMHO 1up USA looks to have awesome hitch and roof alternatives. I had a Yakima system on the roof of my car (no hitch available) with a High Roller bike rack and it freaked me out. The 1up USA racks are aluminum (no plastic) and seem to be the bees' knees as far as quality. You pay for this quality of course, but when you're strapping 3k to the outside of your car/truck it seems like the last thing you want to do is go cheap.

https://www.1upusa.com

For the roof racks, different adapters are available for any type of cross bars - definitely compatible if you have a couple cars you're switching between.

All that said, I don't have one of these things yet. Will be getting a roof rack as soon as the money's available.
 
If you're already getting a hitch, then I would go hitch rack. If you do find yourself bringing a boat and bikes together just put the bikes in the boat as previously mentioned. I wouldn't bother trying to create a specialty mount on the winch post, as one tight right turn could cost you a bike and a bumper/trunk hatch. If the side rails of the boat are tall enough drape a pad over (tailgate pad?) and cleats positioned fore and aft for a stap to hold the bike secure against the side.

Edit - Missed it earlier, but what @fidodie said.
 
I had a roof rack and sold it - hated it. I had a trunk rack, gave it away - hated it. I am now saving my pennies for a hitch and a 1up hitch rack. Its like why strike out again - just spend the money and do it right.
 
Saris makes a trunk rack that simulates a hitch rack with trays... I can't wait to get my hitch rack though.
Mountain Bike Mike said:
I had a roof rack and sold it - hated it. I had a trunk rack, gave it away - hated it. I am now saving my pennies for a hitch and a 1up hitch rack. Its like why strike out again - just spend the money and do it right.
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would you get a two bike or 1?
 
RobW said:
Saris makes a trunk rack that simulates a hitch rack with trays... I can't wait to get my hitch rack though.

would you get a two bike or 1?
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I would use it primarily for one bike but get as many attachments to see if I could get 4 on there - Me + 3 kids
 
We have a roof rack on our Honda Fit, but have a hitch on the CRV.

The hitch is AWESOME. Not sure why I ever bought a roof rack... I think it was purely for making the car look cooler. No fit jokes necessary, let's keep this thread on topic 😛.

But being able to throw the bikes on the back with little effort, and not worrying about getting bad gas mileage? Amazing.
 
mandi said:
We have a roof rack on our Honda Fit, but have a hitch on the CRV.

The hitch is AWESOME. Not sure why I ever bought a roof rack... I think it was purely for making the car look cooler. No fit jokes necessary, let's keep this thread on topic 😛.

But being able to throw the bikes on the back with little effort, and not worrying about getting bad gas mileage? Amazing.
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THIS + 1 on the fuel mileage... That roof rack on my Impreza caused soooo much drag, I lost significant gas mileage because of it. AND yes, it make the car look way "tune-ier"

Plus being vertically impaired makes roof racks a P.I.A.... Why you hating on the jokes, you nipped that quick...
 
I used to have roof racks, but once I switch to a hitch rack, I'd never use anything else. It's just as secure, but doesn't kill gas mileage and doesn't lead to louder road noise.

My Kuat rack is fantastic. Never worried about bikes coming off it.
 
mandi said:
We have a roof rack on our Honda Fit, but have a hitch on the CRV.

The hitch is AWESOME. Not sure why I ever bought a roof rack... I think it was purely for making the car look cooler. No fit jokes necessary, let's keep this thread on topic 😛.

But being able to throw the bikes on the back with little effort, and not worrying about getting bad gas mileage? Amazing.
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you know.... we could put a hitch on the fit for around $80 at this point... sell the roof rack... money in your pocket!
 
Another benefit I could see with a hitch-mounted rack would be the possibility of putting bikes on car the night before an early morning departure (e.g. 5:45am) for a fondo or race, instead of having to do it in the morning for roof-mounted rack that has to be done outside garage.

pearl said:
you know.... we could put a hitch on the fit for around $80 at this point... sell the roof rack... money in your pocket!
Click to expand...

I thought a hitch and installation cost at least $250-300.
 
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