Hitch receiver bike rack/cooler carrier

[Hiker42]

I'll be using my LC for many family camping trips this summer. One challenge the LC presents for me is the cargo area load floor height. I know it's going to be a challenge to lift my 50qt cooler into the cargo area.

A hitch mounted cargo carrier could be a solution, but I need the hitch receiver available for my bike rack. I bring at least three bikes on most camping trips.

Is there some solution that would allow me to carry my 50qt Pelican cooler and three or four bikes at the same time? Rooftop solutions won't work for me.

 

[lunkerbuster808]

check out a pack mule

 

[qberg]

Yakima has their EXO system that essentially does a double decker hitch carrier. The lower level can be a cargo basket and the upper level can be bike trays. Unfortunately, I only see provisions for 2 bikes. There doesn't seem to be a 3 bike version.

 

[Hiker42]

Yakima has their EXO system that essentially does a double decker hitch carrier. The lower level can be a cargo basket and the upper level can be bike trays. Unfortunately, I only see provisions for 2 bikes. There doesn't seem to be a 3 bike version.

View attachment 14623

That's one bike away from perfect!

 

[derek]

Yakima has their EXO system that essentially does a double decker hitch carrier. The lower level can be a cargo basket and the upper level can be bike trays. Unfortunately, I only see provisions for 2 bikes. There doesn't seem to be a 3 bike version.

View attachment 14623

this is cool, but my concern is how the departure angle would be affected vs just the Yakima StageTwo

 

[Markarian421]

1UP USA has a small cargo carrier you can add to their bike racks, if it's large enough for your purposes:

Cargo Add-On

They also have a larger cargo tray you can add bike carriers to, but I think it also has a limit of two bikes.

 

[Code54]

1UP USA has a small cargo carrier you can add to their bike racks, if it's large enough for your purposes:

Cargo Add-On

They also have a larger cargo tray you can add bike carriers to, but I think it also has a limit of two bikes.

The 1UP is a very nice rack and well built. I have mine set for 3 bikes and it works perfectly.

 

[qberg]

The 1UP is a very nice rack and well built. I have mine set for 3 bikes and it works perfectly.

I also have a 1Up set up for 3 bikes... I'm going to guess that we probably ride some of the same trails based on location (Hurricane, WV).

 

[TrailWhale]

I see your 3 bikes and raise you 4 bikes! The 1Up rack has its quirks but it is still by far the best out there.

 

[TrailWhale]

It looks like no one makes a three-bike rack with a cargo carrier. The 1UP option is excellent, but it seems limited to two bikes.

1-Up's cargo add-on suggests it can be used with 3 bikes

Cargo Add-On

TOTAL WEIGHT CAPACITY: 125 lbs when installed on single bike rack
100 lbs when installed on two bike rack setup
75 lbs when installed on three bike rack setup

 

[Code54]

I also have a 1Up set up for 3 bikes... I'm going to guess that we probably ride some of the same trails based on location (Hurricane, WV).

We ride up in Athens, Gallipolis Ohio, sometimes downtown Charleston, Oak Hill, and need to do the Elk River trail on of these days. I was mountain biking Meeks Mountain trails in Hurricane (awesome if you mtb) but as I get older healing is a bit slower so now it is gravel and bike paths! lol

 

[stec06]

I see your 3 bikes and raise you 4 bikes! The 1Up rack has its quirks but it is still by far the best out there.

View attachment 27876

Hell yeah, that's awesome.

 

[qberg]

We ride up in Athens, Gallipolis Ohio, sometimes downtown Charleston, Oak Hill, and need to do the Elk River trail on of these days. I was mountain biking Meeks Mountain trails in Hurricane (awesome if you mtb) but as I get older healing is a bit slower so now it is gravel and bike paths! lol

I ride from my house to Meeks; nice having a trail system that vast that close. Also assistant coached the NICA team last year, so spent a fair bit of time out there with my kid.

I keep threatening to take the family on an Elk River trail ride. haha

 

[derek]

I see your 3 bikes and raise you 4 bikes! The 1Up rack has its quirks but it is still by far the best out there.

View attachment 27876

any issues installing ti on the hitch? I saw someone had issues with the 1UP Rak Attach

 

[McCloud_Rainbow]

any issues installing ti on the hitch? I saw someone had issues with the 1UP Rak Attach

I bought a 1up super duty and love it. The issue is the hitch lock that comes with it. It won’t fit because it isn’t long enough…the LC hirptch receiver is extra wide. Don’t buy a 1up hitch lock that fits as they are easily snapped off and the rack gets stolen. Very common here in the Bay Area.

I got this hitch lock from PACLOCK for my 1up and it fits and seems like it will at least slow down the thieves who come after the rack. Heavier metal and snugs up without extended bits to put a pipe over to snap the lock. Call PACLOCK to confirm the part number to make sure you order the one for the LC with a 1up. Super nice people and they will set you right.

PACLOCK's UCS-79A Universal... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DMHSNL4K?tag=landcruiserforum-20

 

[bigthom]

I'll be using my LC for many family camping trips this summer. One challenge the LC presents for me is the cargo area load floor height. I know it's going to be a challenge to lift my 50qt cooler into the cargo area.

A hitch mounted cargo carrier could be a solution, but I need the hitch receiver available for my bike rack. I bring at least three bikes on most camping trips.

Is there some solution that would allow me to carry my 50qt Pelican cooler and three or four bikes at the same time? Rooftop solutions won't work for me.

Couple thoughts...

Bikes or coolers on the roof are silly. I agree completely. Hitch racks are better for MPG, access and more secure. So, I agree with that. I have a 3 bike 1up, and you can pry it from my cold, dead hands. I agree with the other posts about theft, though. I recommend a New York chain; it's easily visible and will prevent even an attempt.

But, if you could free up space in the back? Could get a roof box and chuck everything else up there on a trip. Tents, chairs, sleeping bags, clothing. All of it, toss it in and slam the hatch. Now all the room is free inside the car for your cooler. MPG impact is minor, and they go on and off fairly easily. Certainly don't need to keep it up there all the time. Storage can be an issue, so it might not work for you.

The issue with the cooler mount is that it sticks out a very long way. Like, it will be leaving your driveway as you pull into camp. The other part is, you won't be able to open the glass with it on the back of a 1up. I can still access the back with the rack folded up. That means you have to either remove the bikes or fold the rack down, which is a bit awkward. I'm not sure about how viable this actually is as a solution, actually. Might be worth a call to 1up. I certainly don't think it will be much lower than the deck height, as 1up racks are stadium seating, meaning they get higher off the ground for each bike.

Oh, and, don't get a 12v fridge and a power supply. Nobody should enjoy that level of non-melted ice luxury. You get used to it and will then want one in every car. It's a slippery slope...slippery like a frosty beverage in the middle of the desert from your ice-cold fridge.

 

[TrailWhale]

any issues installing ti on the hitch? I saw someone had issues with the 1UP Rak Attach

I had to use one of the bike locks as a hitch pin, but otherwise everything has been great. I wish it was easier to lower down to open the hatch with 4 bikes on there, that's a delicate act. I could see the advantage of adding the swing adapter.

 

[EOD Guy]

I had never even considered the possibility of sliding a pipe over a barrel lock and snapping it off.

I didn't like the wobble/shaking in the mount when using ordinary hitch pins, so I drilled out the 5/8" hole to 1" and machined some threaded bungs and welded those into the receiver tube. Then I machined some "grade 8" , 5/8" bolts into new "screw in" hitch pins and used the barrel locks to keep them from being unscrewed. Now I think I'll have to machine some sleeves to beef up the barrel locks to help prevent the pipe attack.

On a side note....... my ebike weighs 89 lbs and while unloading it via the "ramp" it slipped and fell against the LC (no damage at all) but I'm not getting any younger and will never get any taller........LOL. I saw a "lift caddy" but no way was I going to pay $700 bucks for it, so I made my own. I think the electric trailer jack was $150 from Northern Tool and the receiver extension from Home Depot was $35. When removing the rack-lift combo, I decided the rack and lift were a bit on the heavy side and made them two separate pieces (also installed the screw hitch pin). It is on the slow side, but very stable loading my bike on and raising it to travel height. I also allowed it to tilt, in order to open the liftgate.

In an attempt to "automatically" disable the LC's back up freak out when the rack and bike are installed, I added LED taillights, reverse light and an electric brake magnet via the 7 pin connector. As soon as the weather clears, I'll test out the trailer brake portion to see if it will turn off the anti-back up nanny.

I just finished a 1/8 wall pipe that my NY lock slips into (shackle slips into the two holes I drilled into the pipe). I welded the pipe to the lead screw pipe on my lift and it allows me to lock the bike to the rack etc........

 

[scarkinsmel]

Hitchswing

The Hitchswing adds a secondary 2” receiver hitch mated to a swinging arm. Slide into the Hitchswing your favorite bike rack, cargo rack, or whatever-rack, pull the pin, and swing that entire load away from your vehicle.

wilcooffroad.com

I had one of these on my 4Runner, as I don’t tow anymore I no longer have it.

It’ll easily handle the weight of the 1up and 3 bikes and a cargo deck for the cooler.

The only concern, as far as the bikes, is raising them above the roof line, as this will do and the Yak one, is the bikes, at least mine, are in the wind and wobble like crazy.

Never lost one or had any damage to a bike, but it’s unnerving to watch.

 

[derek]

I bought a 1up super duty and love it. The issue is the hitch lock that comes with it. It won’t fit because it isn’t long enough…the LC hirptch receiver is extra wide. Don’t buy a 1up hitch lock that fits as they are easily snapped off and the rack gets stolen. Very common here in the Bay Area.

I got this hitch lock from PACLOCK for my 1up and it fits and seems like it will at least slow down the thieves who come after the rack. Heavier metal and snugs up without extended bits to put a pipe over to snap the lock. Call PACLOCK to confirm the part number to make sure you order the one for the LC with a 1up. Super nice people and they will set you right.

PACLOCK's UCS-79A Universal... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DMHSNL4K?tag=landcruiserforum-20

the lock you linked unfortunately is too short, and the stopper on it is too thin. I'm still waiting to hear back from Paclock for the right size.

edit: Paclock has informed me that they don't make a pin that fits this combination exactly. What did you buy from them?