TheSamba.com :: View topic - Any experience with trailer hitch flat racks?

Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:19 am

I'm looking at buying a flat rack for my trailer hitch. Something like this: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/produc...hasJS=true I'd like to be able to haul my coolers and other stuff outside. I don't imagine I'd load more than a couple hundred pound of gear. Just wondering if anyone has any experience (good/bad) with racks of this type.

Thx!

Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:47 am

I don't have any first hand experience with them, but the guy I bought mine from used one all the time.
He even gave it to me when I bought the van.

Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:58 am

I just bought a trailer hitch bike rack.. uses wheel trays instead of hanging bike frames off bars.
Heavier-duty rack than most. And heavier lbs.

Have not done many serious miles with it yet.. Still in test mode.
But my immediate concerns were the levered weight, vs the old-style GoWesty tow hook mounted hitch with reinforcement bar (connects to engine support bar).

My suspension is fine since I added Monroe coil overs.. No noticeable sag with 4 bikes loaded (~160 lbs? including rack)
No bounce at all.
No wear.

It is worth noting, however, that the GW re-inforcement bar for thier older style 2" receiver hitch can cause problems with exhaust clearance. Am pretty certain that the mounting hardware was too close to the pipe and vibration/movement on the motor mounts resulted in contact and a quicker demise of my rear header.
Its hard to tell how much movement was a result of the hitch being loaded.. but I am sure it was enough. The cracked header (original) sits there on my garage floor.

In the long run the solution will be to weld a real frame mount draw bar together and mount directly, bypassing the tow hooks, and eliminating the need for the reinforcement bar..

My opinion is that the rear end can handle 300lbs of levered wieght if you take care of spring sag (new springs or coil overs), and if your hitch is robust enough.
I do not think GW's hitch is robust enough for 300lbs.

Thu Apr 23, 2009 12:17 pm

My hitch is welded to the tow hooks. I'm not sure where else it is connected to. I need to get under and take a look. It seems pretty secure though. My springs are in pretty good shape. I have loaded up the back pretty good without any sag. I am also looking at a Gary Lee Rack for the back - mostly for the spare tire but also to have an extra shelf. I was thinking I could loop a good tow strap under the flat rack and through the GL to distribute some of the weight off of the hitch and onto the hatch. Thoughts?

Thu Apr 23, 2009 12:21 pm

Don't see why that wouldn't work.
I just wouldn't cinch the strap too tight.
BTW, I have been eying Gary's stuff for a while.
Love the modularity of it all.

Side question:
Is it stupid to get racks and stuff only to put it on a 2WD Vanagon?
I love the bull bars and racks but would feel like a poser putting it on a 2WD.
Thoughts? :lol:

Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:12 pm

Mr. Electric Wizard wrote:
Is it stupid to get racks and stuff only to put it on a 2WD Vanagon?
I love the bull bars and racks but would feel like a poser putting it on a 2WD.
Thoughts? :lol:
Its all relative.

My opinion? The biggest poseur is the guy who puts all the shit on big tall truck and then never uses it for anything.. but maybe to chase skirts. Which, then again, is the reason most of us live for.. so... All's good.

Seriously though, install what you want and what you like and screw the poseur thng. No one really cares.
If you dig it.. thats what its about.

Sheesh.. if you haven't been bugged by the uncool factor of owning, driving and pouring money into a VANAGON(!) then nothing else oughtta phase you either. :lol:

Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:22 pm

Mr. Electric Wizard wrote:
Side question:
Is it stupid to get racks and stuff only to put it on a 2WD Vanagon?
I love the bull bars and racks but would feel like a poser putting it on a 2WD.
Thoughts? :lol:

Not stupid at all! I would still be trying to get the same amount of stuff to the same place with a 2WD. I sould still be lacking for space other than where to put the spare tiire. That is my main motivation for the GL rack right now is to get a rack with a tire holder.

If you want to be a poser, get a couple flat magnets and cover up the gas cap in front and add a fake syncro gas cap in the back! :lol:

Thu Apr 23, 2009 2:00 pm

[quote=

Side question:
Is it stupid to get racks and stuff only to put it on a 2WD Vanagon?
I love the bull bars and racks but would feel like a poser putting it on a 2WD.
Thoughts? :lol:[/quote]

Naa - I'm just as likely to rear end someone in traffic with my 2WD. So why not get a little extra bumper action.

Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:00 pm

I have the VanCafe bumpers. Very heavy and.the rear hitch is built very well. They are $$$ but I look at it as protection for me and my van.
I I do not have a hitch mounted storage box but that is alot better than putting stuff on the roof.I would put a storage box on my mine without any worries.
I did see(at the So. Cal GTG) a Gary Lee fold out rack on the rear deck used as storage. This will be my choice for extra storage. Roof storage has too many draw backs( gas mileage,and getting up and down).
Do what you want with your van. My bumpers did change the look of my van but. I have one of the strongest ones out there. Peace of mind goes a long ways over looks.

Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:45 pm

I have one and the only complaint i have is in steep enough drive ways or any other incline it'll scrap off the ground. I'm using a toe loop hitch. We went cross country last august for the whole month and I dropped the coin for one of these http://www.stowaway2.com/product.aspx?id=81&cid=57
it was was pricey sure but it worked flawlessly. Lockable, waterproof, brake lights, plate light, and it swings out of the way to get the hatch open. enough coolers on the other hitch attachment and I don't think the hatch would open unless unloaded. There's also a drain plug you could prolly just fill it with beer, soda and ice and need no coolers. I apparently only took three photos of the van with the box on our trip.

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Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:47 pm

The loop hitch can carry safely about 200 pounds, i know, my friend Hans did it a few month ago with his van... and into Mexico, Topes world.
He had one of those platform whit almost 200 pound on it.

Me, to carry the bike i had to shimmed the spring to make the van level. Total weight is about 300pounds.

As for look, ha ha ha ha, who frigging care. What i know is those box are way more efficient wind wise. I really like them, i find them very practical, low level . But now, i'm stock with a bike... so sad :-)

Ben

Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:54 pm

Mr. Electric Wizard wrote: Side question:
Is it stupid to get racks and stuff only to put it on a 2WD Vanagon?
I love the bull bars and racks but would feel like a poser putting it on a 2WD.
Thoughts? :lol:

Nope! Don't get it if you're not going to use it though. I've got the basic fold down shelf rack he sells and use it for throwing bikes and stuff on all the time. Want to go for a family ride (think 3 small kids) on the other side of town? Strap the stuff to the back. Picnic with the family, but cooler crowding up the living area? Strap it to the back! Wife makes a purchase at the antique store because you left her unattended? Sigh... strap it to the back... loosely. Mine's on all the time for convenience, and no I'm not a poseur.