Carriers, Roof or Hitch

[François Pugh]

If you have two capable drivers, consider towing a U-haul trailer with the truck, and driving your car too.

I remember moving with the largest U-haul van a couple of times. The last time I needed two trips, but it was short distance. Yes, I should have just thrown out half my junk. I dread ever having to move again .

 

[Doug Briggs]

Another vote for a tray rack on the hitch.

I suppose this is a common feature these days, but the one I just got (used) had a screw in pin for the hitch so it stabilized the rack. It also uses an adaptor for the larger receiver so would work with a either size receiver. I found it to be solid.

 

[Near Nyquist]

I got a pickup truck and still have a tray on the receiver hitch, just easier to load for quick missions for me

 

[Wilhelmson]

A 48”x 40”x 38 fedex economy box costs $270 to ship from NY to MT. You could probably find other carriers to ship a couple pallets for less. That way you could ship some heavy nonessential items by freight and save a lot of headache stuffing your vehicles.

 

[Doug Briggs]

A 48”x 40”x 38 fedex economy box costs $270 to ship from NY to MT. You could probably find other carriers to ship a couple pallets for less. That way you could ship some heavy nonessential items by freight and save a lot of headache stuffing your vehicles.

Now that is thinking inside the box.

This thread reminded me of my move to CO. We rented a large U-Haul truck and a car carrier trailer. We were towing my '65 Falcon Coupe which we had loaded up with stuff. We even had a driver for it.

He was a fright mask on a paper mache head and shoulders. The head was detachable so I could carry around 'my' head on Halloween.

 

[Wilhelmson]

Now that is thinking inside the box.

I must be getting old. I used to revel in changing a power steering line in my driveway in 20 degree weather. Now I pay the shop a few hundred and move on. A bike rack is usefull (must have for me) anyways so as long as it wouldn't drag on the ground that would be my first choice.

Out of the box would be to tie them to the roof of the box truck. Doubtfully anyone would climb up there to steal them. Forget uhauls rules.

 

[Talisman]

Thank you all - great advice.
3 weeks till we take off, I see some serious purging happening this month

Sell your mountain bikes before you move. Dollars are easy to pack, don't require a hitch / roof rack and can be used towards your new e-mountain bike. You know you want one.

 

[Uncle-A]

FWIW, my vote is for the hitch type bike rack.

 

[Tom K.]

Keep in mind that you're moving to an area where 80 mph freeway speeds are commonplace.

Roof racks spook me at those speeds.

As far as hitch racks, 1UP USA, Kuat, Yakima, Thule, Rocky Mount, it's hard to go wrong.

And Saris makes one that I'm fond of that sadly does NOT pivot downwards to allow for hatch opening, but it's light, reliable, and cheap.

And for gosh sakes, once you make the move, make sure to take the short drive west on I-90 to Homestake Pass and sample the Continental Divide Trail. Start with the portion that heads south, maybe 50 yards off the freeway.

 

[BS Slarver]

Noticed this dudes rack, super aerodynamic !

 

[Tom K.]

Noticed this dudes rack, super aerodynamic !

An engineering analysis employing chaos theory would show the aerodynamic efficiency of this approach, since the random stacking of bikes would undoubtedly improve things in that regard by ensuring that flow is always in the turbulent region.

Sorry, carry on.

 

[Philpug]

Noticed this dudes rack, super aerodynamic !

Looks like my Christmas lights on December 15th.

 

[T-Square]

Noticed this dudes rack, super aerodynamic !

As an engineer, I just want to know what type of magic did they use to load that!

 

[MarkP]

An engineering analysis employing chaos theory would show the aerodynamic efficiency of this approach, since the random stacking of bikes would undoubtedly improve things in that regard by ensuring that flow is always in the turbulent region.

Sorry, carry on.

On the subject of aerodynamics...

https://interestingengineering.com/...to-sharkskin-to-boost-aerodynamic-performance

 

[Ken_R]

Any questions?

...Hitch racks are much better...

 

[Ken_R]

As an engineer, I just want to know what type of magic did they use to load that!

The person who loaded this truck is a genius:

Mad Skilzzz

 

[Tom K.]

Any questions?

View attachment 48900





...Hitch racks are much better...

With my bike on the roof of my trusty old Saab 900 hatchback, I once stripped the fascia board off a bank drive-through upon exiting.

The seat barely nicked it, and pulled the whole 20 foot long board off.

I'd been through there countless times after carefully ensuring that I had an inch of clearance.

Turned out they replaced the board, and the new one (obviously) hung down a little further!

 

[BS Slarver]

Update:
Went for the Kuat NV 2.0 after finding a great deal with etrailer. Only after putting it in the cart did the price drop below the comparable Thule pro.
All my new neighbors have them and it seem to be the tray rack of choice here. Seeing how it has a built in bike clamp for road side or garage repairs it eliminates the need for an additional repair stand.
Now I just have to find the bikes buried deep in the U Maul

 

[Jersey Skier]

Any questions?

View attachment 48900





...Hitch racks are much better...

The usual question I get is "do we have to leave these or can we wait?" "Have a ride planned for the morning."

 

[Monique]

Seeing how it has a built in bike clamp for road side or garage repairs it eliminates the need for an additional repair stand.

I didn't know that! Super cool.