Can anyone recommend a good 3-4 bike carrier to use with the MiniDoMore hitch receiver? For example is anyone currently using the yakima Kingpin4?

I just bought an XPORT, which is the store brand for Performance Bikes, and I have found that there's a little play between the hitch and the receiver -- not a lot, but it translates to about 4 inches or more of swaying at the top, where the bikes are. That's probably one of the cheapest 4-bike carriers with folding arms and swing down capability . . . but I'm hoping that others have tried better systems and can provide positivie personal experience with them.

 

I've been using a Yakima Big Horn carrier for a couple summers now. It is pretty stable and the price was reasonable too... it folds down, you can get a 2" or 1 1/4 " model, and the bikes seem to stay pretty stable. I haven't noticed any sway at the top. I've been using my Mazda Tribute to haul bikes 30 miles each way. (replacing the Tribute next year with a MINI R56?)

The "world straps" made of rubber that Yakima uses are pretty easy to put on, and hold real well. Very good system. I can get a bike on in less than a minute easy.

The downsides that I can think of are:

The rack is better at holding 3 than 4 bikes... in fact, I don't know if I've ever gotten 4 on there. The problem "stems" from the fact that newer bikes each have unique tube layouts, they don't go together real close unless you want to mash them a bit. I like to have each bike hang in space without banging it's neighbors!

Another issue is the Big Horn does not fold flat. But it does fold DOWN for easy access to the hatch. I don't use that feature at all, just happy to get the bikes to the trail.

That's my experience, FWIW....

Sir M.

 

^ Thanks.
I still hope to hear from others who've used it with the MiniDoMore specifically. . . I'm surprised I'm not getting much response on that since I assumed one of the more commons uses of the hitch receiver was to be able to carry bikes.

by the way, if you're waiting until next year to replace the Tribute, you can always go with the Clubman -- seems like a great switch. . . . Man! Did I just hijack my own thread? is that possible?

 

I have an old Rhode Gear 4-bike that works with the MDM 1003 hitch (the one for '05-'06 models without rear fog - it puts the receiver closer to the bumper cover). It attaches using a BOLT instead of a hitch pin, which reduces the sway a bit but makes it a PITA to install. Anything that attaches with the hitch pin is going to sway a bit since some clearance is needed between the receiver tube and rack bar to allow for manufacturing tolerances and built-up rust in the hitch tube (you should see me trying to get this rack into our Honda hitch - have to scrape the rust out every time and lube!).


One thing that you can try is simply running a stabilization strap from each side of the bikes to the car somewhere - I've used straps from an old trunk mount bike rack in the past since they have clips on the end to grab the edge of a trunk or hatch. They hold no load except stabilization forces, which are small. I have no time to go look at where to attach, but I've used that method and it works great at reducing sway. Some sway is normal though, it looks ugly but won't hurt much. 4" total at the top (2" each way) sounds likeas much as I'd tolerate before stabilizing somehow...

A friend of ours has another brand that has a lever to take the play out by expanding the rack bar inside the hitch tube, I think it's a Hollywood. She's had it for years and used/abused it - the thing's great. Fold down bars and vertical stanchion (wish I had one, and she's not selling!). I'll have to do a search, but can't justify it since my Rhode Gear still works.