Toyota Tacoma

[Cookie Monster]

Hitch rack > anything else.

Better aerodynamics, less lifting, more car space, lockable, etc...

Except they're horribly ugly and prevent you from getting into your trunk/hatch/whatever the heck is at the back of your car. Roof rack keeps everything out of the way.

[giant_mtb]

I think roof racks are a lot uglier than hitch racks...especially 'cause it takes about 7 seconds to completely remove a hitch rack whereas a roof rack is rather permanent.  Valid point about them preventing full access to liftgates, though...that was kind of annoying when my parents had a hitch rack on the TBlaze.  But, it was better than cramming three mountain bikes into the cargo area...which we did for a couple years anyways. 

[SVT666]

Except they're horribly ugly and prevent you from getting into your trunk/hatch/whatever the heck is at the back of your car. Roof rack keeps everything out of the way.

I would love to see you get a bike onto a roof rack on my Explorer.  I use a hitch rack.  Much much easier for leading and unloading.

[Cookie Monster]

I would love to see you get a bike onto a roof rack on my Explorer.  I use a hitch rack.  Much much easier for leading and unloading.

I've put both mountain and road bikes on the roof rack of the MDX, which is only about an inch shorter than your Explorer.

[giant_mtb]

Wait, people put their bikes on roof racks on SUVs?

Sounds like a lot of work, aka the least convenient option.

[SVT666]

Wait, people put their bikes on roof racks on SUVs?

Sounds like a lot of work, aka the least convenient option.

Yup.

[Cookie Monster]

Wait, people put their bikes on roof racks on SUVs?

Sounds like a lot of work, aka the least convenient option.

What if you have a bunch of stuff inside? It came in so handy when I was moving out of college.

[shp4man]

I just toss the bike in the back of my pickup. Duh.

[GoCougs]

Except they're horribly ugly and prevent you from getting into your trunk/hatch/whatever the heck is at the back of your car. Roof rack keeps everything out of the way.

I can open my trunk (and access it - have to, it's where I keep my stuff) even with the bike on.

Roof racks are on all the time. It takes me 1 minute to either install or remove my hitch rack.

[AutobahnSHO]

Takes me 10second to swing hitch rack down to open liftgate.

Roof rack= bike damage at garage or drivethru

[Cookie Monster]

Takes me 10second to swing hitch rack down to open liftgate.

Roof rack= bike damage at garage or drivethru

Can you swing the hitch down with bikes on it?

And also, don't fucking drive into a garage? That's a dumb reason to hate on a roof mount. That's like me saying hitch mount = bike damage when you back into something or get rear ended.

[Soup DeVille]

Except they're horribly ugly and prevent you from getting into your trunk/hatch/whatever the heck is at the back of your car. Roof rack keeps everything out of the way.

http://l.yimg.com/lo/api/res/1.2/K5U2jqdt2sGYqteJQlLwfQ--/YXBwaWQ9eWlzZWFyY2g7Zmk9Zml0O2dlPTAwNjYwMDtncz0wMEEzMDA7aD00MDA7dz02MjU-/http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/pics/5/1/51953_2005~Nissan~Pathfinder_9_1000.jpg.cf.jpg

[giant_mtb]

Installed AUX INPUT today.  It was super easy to pop out the climate control and unbolt the radio. Harness plugged into where the 6CD Changer would. Voila. Direct source. Have to crank it a bit, but the quality is there.

[Rupert]

I never had a problem. Did it for years. Seats folded down, front wheel off, put it in, done.  Truck is easier/more convenient, though, for sure.

Sounds like a PITA to me.

[GoCougs]

Can you swing the hitch down with bikes on it?

And also, don't fucking drive into a garage? That's a dumb reason to hate on a roof mount. That's like me saying hitch mount = bike damage when you back into something or get rear ended.

I can swing the hitch down but never do, as I can get into and open the trunk without doing so.

Most everyone I know with a roof rack (and more than just a couple) have run into things, and with (mountain) bikes being what they are these days; a fork cost $900, wheel $500, etc.; plus the damage to a car roof, it can be expensive. I for one would absolutely run into something, as a lot of times driving back from a ride I'm fairly beat and not thinking with 100% clarity.

[GoCougs]

Sounds like a PITA to me.

I agree. My bike is always dirty and if you ever actuate a hydraulic disk brake without the rotor engaged you're screwed.

[giant_mtb]

Sounds like a PITA to me.

It's a PITA in the sense that there are easier ways for it to be done (bike rack, truck), but it's not like I moaned and groaned every time I wanted to take my bike somewhere. lol

[Cookie Monster]

I can swing the hitch down but never do, as I can get into and open the trunk without doing so.

Most everyone I know with a roof rack (and more than just a couple) have run into things, and with (mountain) bikes being what they are these days; a fork cost $900, wheel $500, etc.; plus the damage to a car roof, it can be expensive. I for one would absolutely run into something, as a lot of times driving back from a ride I'm fairly beat and not thinking with 100% clarity.

I've never driven into the garage or anything with the bike on top. I always drive with the sunroof shade open (if equipped) so I can see the bike out the top and it serves as a reminder since I never use the sunroof otherwise.

I mean, it is a valid concern, especially since the bike can cost a couple grand, but it's never been a problem for me.

[giant_mtb]

Sounds like we all have our preferences and we're sticking to them.

...moving on. 

[AutobahnSHO]

Can you swing the hitch down with bikes on it?

Depends on what type- with bikes add 45sec on my wheelmount rack, maybe 30sec on the hanging rack but it would be a PITA to lift that one back up.

But again- I drive van/wagon so I can get to everything from inside. But packing for trips you have to do the bikes last when I would like to do them first... 

And also, don't fucking drive into a garage? That's a dumb reason to hate on a roof mount. That's like me saying hitch mount = bike damage when you back into something or get rear ended.

You'd be surprised. Happens often, never to me though.

ALSO, your bikes get bugs galore on them on the roof.

AND gas moneys. Roofrack= several mpg penalty on the highway

[giant_mtb]

Dude you just pay more money to get fancy bug guard things that provide even more aero drag.

[68_427]

I always forget that the roof mount is easy since I lowered my car.  No way I could do an SUV without a step ladder.

[AutobahnSHO]

Dude you just pay more money to get fancy bug guard things that provide even more aero drag.

I was never ballin' like that

[AutobahnSHO]

I always forget that the roof mount is easy since I lowered my car.  No way I could do an SUV without a step ladder.

I can look down on the roof of my non-lowered car. I can't see the roof of my van.

[Rupert]

Stubby hobbits...

[GoCougs]

I've never driven into the garage or anything with the bike on top. I always drive with the sunroof shade open (if equipped) so I can see the bike out the top and it serves as a reminder since I never use the sunroof otherwise.

I mean, it is a valid concern, especially since the bike can cost a couple grand, but it's never been a problem for me.

$2000? Oh, if it were only so little .

I'm pretty forgetful/absent minded and would do it almost immediately. It's also very expensive when it happens, so it only has to happen once for it to be really bad.

[Cookie Monster]

$2000? Oh, if it were only so little .

I'm pretty forgetful/absent minded and would do it almost immediately. It's also very expensive when it happens, so it only has to happen once for it to be really bad.

I never said $2000. I said a couple, which could mean anything.

[Soup DeVille]

No, a "couple" pretty much exclusively means "two."

[giant_mtb]

I never said $2000. I said a couple, which could mean anything.

So when a couple goes out for dinner, it could be 7 people?

[Cookie Monster]

No, a "couple" pretty much exclusively means "two."

Oh. My bad.

So a few grand?

So when a couple goes out for dinner, it could be 7 people?

OK, in that case, it's kind of a given.

But yes, you got me there.

Also, $2k is a lot for a bicycle for me. Mine were $350 and $250.