Hitch Mount Bike Carrier
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
2012 ML350BT / 1988 BMW M3 / 2008 Volvo XC70
Hitch Mount Bike Carrier
With my new ML, I'm making the move from roof-rack mounted bicycle carriers to a hitch mount. This is mostly due to the fact that as I grow older, I no longer want to or are always able to lift bikes up on to the roof.
I'm looking at the obvious Thule and Yakima candidates, but wanted to get your opinion ...
1. What do you use, and pros and cons?
2. Top tube mount or tray style? (I have FS mountain bikes with non-standard frame shapes so I'm thinking the latter)
Also, any pics of your setup, if you have them would be greatly appreciated.
Merci.
I'm looking at the obvious Thule and Yakima candidates, but wanted to get your opinion ...
1. What do you use, and pros and cons?
2. Top tube mount or tray style? (I have FS mountain bikes with non-standard frame shapes so I'm thinking the latter)
Also, any pics of your setup, if you have them would be greatly appreciated.
Merci.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 28
From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
I use the Thule 916XTR T2 tray mount on my ML:
I HIGHLY recommend it. It's so easy to load the bikes and it holds the bikes with a lot of stability. I do not recommend the top tube type because the bike sways around and it can scratch your car and other bikes if you put more than one on there. You also don't have to worry about your brake lines pinching (especially if you have hydraulic brakes). Another advantage to the T2 is that you don't have to worry about your frame shapes. Especially if you have a weird shape such as a Klein or some full suspension bikes have large mounting points that block the opening to put a top tube through. Just get a tray mount and be done with it!
What bikes are you using?
I HIGHLY recommend it. It's so easy to load the bikes and it holds the bikes with a lot of stability. I do not recommend the top tube type because the bike sways around and it can scratch your car and other bikes if you put more than one on there. You also don't have to worry about your brake lines pinching (especially if you have hydraulic brakes). Another advantage to the T2 is that you don't have to worry about your frame shapes. Especially if you have a weird shape such as a Klein or some full suspension bikes have large mounting points that block the opening to put a top tube through. Just get a tray mount and be done with it!
What bikes are you using?
Last edited by xxGenericSNxx; Jun 5, 2012 at 12:52 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 370
Likes: 27
From: Canada
2016 GLE 350d
I have a Yakima tube type and I don't like how the front wheels can move and touch the vehicle so I have to use a rope to tie them off to the bike frames.
Other than that it works well.
Other than that it works well.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
2012 ML350BT / 1988 BMW M3 / 2008 Volvo XC70
Thanks for all the advice folks!
I've considered all of the ones you guys mention, but especially after checking some of them out last night, I'm leaning towards the 916XTR T2 with the 918XTR T2 add-on.
I've been using couple of 594XT Sidearm for the roof for four years, and the T2's have the same front securing mechanism which I love.
The only downside is that the setup is going to be the most expensive at over $1100 CAD.
@xxGenericSNxx - I'll use the setup for family trips which will include couple of 24" wheelers for the kids, and drives to the trailheads. My mountain bike is a Cannondale Scalpel, and my regular riding buddies have Santa Cruz, Specialized, Orange, so the minimal adjustments on the rack to get them all loaded up will be a plus. How do you find the locking mechanism on the T2; is it secure enough or do you "augment" with additional cables or U-locks?
I've considered all of the ones you guys mention, but especially after checking some of them out last night, I'm leaning towards the 916XTR T2 with the 918XTR T2 add-on.
I've been using couple of 594XT Sidearm for the roof for four years, and the T2's have the same front securing mechanism which I love.
The only downside is that the setup is going to be the most expensive at over $1100 CAD.
@xxGenericSNxx - I'll use the setup for family trips which will include couple of 24" wheelers for the kids, and drives to the trailheads. My mountain bike is a Cannondale Scalpel, and my regular riding buddies have Santa Cruz, Specialized, Orange, so the minimal adjustments on the rack to get them all loaded up will be a plus. How do you find the locking mechanism on the T2; is it secure enough or do you "augment" with additional cables or U-locks?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 28
From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
To be honest, I don't trust the locking mechanism on the T2. It locks the same way your 594XT does by having a barrel lock at the arm holding the front wheel in place. I heard that one can steal your bike by letting the air out of your front tire and wiggling it out of place. Mine also has a small cable lock that comes out of the side arm that you can wrap around your fork but the reason I don't trust the system in general is because if the thief took their time, they can actually unscrew the bike with the bottom "rack" piece that holds the bike in. I know it's far fetched, but I'm of the mindset that I don't leave the bike alone.
All I do is load the bike at my house, drive to the trailhead, bike around, load back on my car and go home. But that's not to fault the rack, I just don't trust leaving my bike exposed on any rack- even if I left it in the car I'd fear someone would break into my car to steal it.
I'm just paranoid. If you're comfortable with the way the 594XT locks right now, then you'll be happy with the 916XTR with the addition of the cable lock (which your 594 may or may not have).
Why is the rack so expensive there? It's around $350-400 here. Maybe make a roadtrip down to the US to pick one up?
**correction** I have the 916XTR. Mixed up the sizes for a moment.
All I do is load the bike at my house, drive to the trailhead, bike around, load back on my car and go home. But that's not to fault the rack, I just don't trust leaving my bike exposed on any rack- even if I left it in the car I'd fear someone would break into my car to steal it.
I'm just paranoid. If you're comfortable with the way the 594XT locks right now, then you'll be happy with the 916XTR with the addition of the cable lock (which your 594 may or may not have).
Why is the rack so expensive there? It's around $350-400 here. Maybe make a roadtrip down to the US to pick one up?
**correction** I have the 916XTR. Mixed up the sizes for a moment.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
2012 ML350BT / 1988 BMW M3 / 2008 Volvo XC70
To be honest, I don't trust the locking mechanism on the T2. It locks the same way your 594XT does by having a barrel lock at the arm holding the front wheel in place. I heard that one can steal your bike by letting the air out of your front tire and wiggling it out of place. Mine also has a small cable lock that comes out of the side arm that you can wrap around your fork but the reason I don't trust the system in general is because if the thief took their time, they can actually unscrew the bike with the bottom "rack" piece that holds the bike in. I know it's far fetched, but I'm of the mindset that I don't leave the bike alone.
All I do is load the bike at my house, drive to the trailhead, bike around, load back on my car and go home. But that's not to fault the rack, I just don't trust leaving my bike exposed on any rack- even if I left it in the car I'd fear someone would break into my car to steal it.
I'm just paranoid. If you're comfortable with the way the 594XT locks right now, then you'll be happy with the 916XTR with the addition of the cable lock (which your 594 may or may not have).
Why is the rack so expensive there? It's around $350-400 here. Maybe make a roadtrip down to the US to pick one up?
**correction** I have the 916XTR. Mixed up the sizes for a moment.
All I do is load the bike at my house, drive to the trailhead, bike around, load back on my car and go home. But that's not to fault the rack, I just don't trust leaving my bike exposed on any rack- even if I left it in the car I'd fear someone would break into my car to steal it.
I'm just paranoid. If you're comfortable with the way the 594XT locks right now, then you'll be happy with the 916XTR with the addition of the cable lock (which your 594 may or may not have).
Why is the rack so expensive there? It's around $350-400 here. Maybe make a roadtrip down to the US to pick one up?
**correction** I have the 916XTR. Mixed up the sizes for a moment.
I'm also not crazy about leaving bikes on racks unattended, but sometimes it's gotta be done (roadside food/bio breaks).
What do you ride?
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
2012 ML350BT / 1988 BMW M3 / 2008 Volvo XC70
Also the price ... will checkout US pricing, as I'll be driving down a couple times this summer.
The 916XTR T2 is $600 CAD and the 918XTR T2 add-on is $430 CAD. With our tax it comes out to $1184.
The 916XTR T2 is $600 CAD and the 918XTR T2 add-on is $430 CAD. With our tax it comes out to $1184.
