Ball mount Bike Carrier

[Jim Nicholson]

Hi All,



Looking for some ideas for a bike carrier. I have a hard cover which I don't want to remove. I was thinking of a ball mount rack. Anyone have one of these and do you like it. Also opened to suggestions.



This is the one i am considering....

http://www.1aauto.com/1A/bike-rack/Ford/ExplorerSportTrac/1AXRA00006/220698



Thanks..Jim

 

[Johnny O]

I have a unit from Draw-Tite, I like it. Also useful for carrying ladders.:lol:

Pic of it on my old Ranger:

[Broken External Image]:



It has a release pin so it will tip back out of the way of the tailgate. The ladder trick won't work on the Trac, the tailgate is higher. Works best on bikes with a round tube frame, ladies' bikes will mount at a funky angle but it's do-able. The bike sits on a rubber-padded channel and a rubber-padded plate clamps down with a big knob. This one has a hitch ball but I'm not sure if it's legal to attach the safety chains to the bike rack and they won't reach the truck, so I don't use it to tow.

 

[Matthew W]

I have the ROC-II carrier - goes into a 2-inch receiver, and is worth every penny (also ROC-IV carrier for 4 bikes) ... bought mine for about $160 or so.

 

[Cajun]

Might want to check out this Bike Rack Project :

 

[Ben Poche]

mounted to the cover

[Broken External Image]:

 

[Jim Nicholson]

Thanks for all the replies. I was trying to avoid using or removing the Tonneau cover. I do not have a traler hitch but i am considering this one...



http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?screen=PROD&Store_Code=E&Product_Code=70670&Category_Code=H



Has anyone done a self install of trailer hitch and is it hard. I looked at the instructions and it looks like all holes are there and no drilling is required.



Thanks