DK2 Rear Hitch Mounted E-Bike Carrier sold at Costco?

[radgranddad]

Any chance anyone has one of the DK2 Rear Hitch Mounted E-Bike Carrier sold at Costco?
https://www.costco.com/dk2-rear-hitch-mounted-e-bike-carrier.product.100855719.html
Currently for sale at $260.00.
I'd have to swap out the small receiver on my 2016 Outback and get a 2" installed.

I'd be hauling two RadRover 6 Plus Step-Thru (with batteries removed)

This is possibly better/cheaper than the approach I was planning on - getting a small trailer like the DK2 5FT X 7FT Single Axle Utility Trailer Kit - Galvanized that Costco was selling.
Like this: https://landmarktools.com/products/dk2-5ft-x-7ft-single-axle-utility-trailer-kit-galvanized

Thanks for any knowledge on that carrier.

[JimInPT]

First, make sure your Outback's frame is rated for a 2" hitch and check the load rating if it is.  The two Rovers will weigh around 140 without batteries, plus the weight of accessories, ratcheting tiedowns and the hitch rack itself - probably about 200 lbs or so total.

It's not so much the static weight itself as the dynamic loads put into the vehicle frame by 200+ lbs of stuff hanging two feet off the rear end of the car, bouncing up and down hard when you hit a pothole or run off a curb.  Imagine a 200-lb man standing on the outermost bike holder and jumping up and down; the bending load where the hitch receiver meets the car's frame is not small - that may be why your Outback has a small receiver to begin with; definitely check owner's manual about the limits.  What you want to note is the maximum tongue weight allowed - most hitches are used to tow wheeled trailers, making the vertical load on the hitch receiver relatively small.  If the tongue rating is less than 250+ lbs, I wouldn't risk it myself.

Snapping a bike rack with two bikes aboard right off the car at 60 mph on a freeway would cause a very bad day for the next car or two behind you.

Here's my setup on the back of my GMC Jimmy, which came with a 2" heavy-duty receiver from the factory; this is a Harbor Freight motorcycle carrier and only carries one bike.  This load is no sweat for my hardware.

[crorris]

JimInPT makes some good points. I like the look of the rack from Costco, but I might be concerned about its weight capacity too. It says it's only rated for 145 lbs. Two Rovers would likely exceed this.


The trailer is an interesting way to go. I've considered it myself. That one will be a lot more expensive. You'll have the annual license plate cost as well. With a trailer option, you'll need to add something to hold the bikes down too.  I would also make sure I bought a spare tire. You might consider a less expensive trailer if it's just for the bikes and you don't need it for other things. Something like this one from Harbor Freight. It's only $499 and it folds up to store it out of the way. Even with the cost for the outdoor plywood for the bed, a spare tire, and some good motorcycle type tiedowns to secure it, you should still be much less expensive than the other trailer.


https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/trailers-towing/1195-lb-capacity-48-in-x-96-in-heavy-duty-folding-trailer-62648.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/trailers-towing/480-12-in-tire-with-4-lug-rim-load-b-64236.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-wheel-chock-97145.html

https://amzn.to/3OPxAqj

https://amzn.to/3vjBPTi