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, Wed, 17 Sep 2003 17:10:55
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OK - let me first say that my son's 95 900s doesn't have a trailer hitch/receiver mounted on it - but I'll share my experience with other vehicles....
First, every vehicle I've owned over the past 15 years has had a trailer hitch/receiver installed by Uhaul (except those that came with a hitch from the factory). I have a small utility trailer that I tow to the dump and to pick up large items, and I also have an array of "things" that attach to the receiver tube. Originally, I started with a 1 1/4" system on my old Honda Odyssey and chrysler minivan. I had each receiver put on at Uhaul, and bought a 1 1/4" 3-bike carrier from Thule. The rack snugged down on the receiver tube very well and it carried bikes easily and without problem.
The past several years I've had 2" receiver systems (from my full-sized van, my tahoe, and now my (gulp) Aztek), and have a bike rack and cargo carrier in that 2" configuration. The 2" carries are more plentiful and are sturdier, but I don't think you can get that for a Saab, even from Uhaul (which carries Draw-Tite and Valley trailer hitch/receiver systems).
So, here's what I'd do. Call a local U-haul that does trailer hitch installations and ask them what a hitch for your Saab would cost with a 1 1/4" receiver opening, WITHOUT THE TRAILER WIRING (for putting a bike rack there, you don't need wiring at all). I expect the price will be $150 or less installed. Don't worry too much about the install - I've had good luck with the 2 shops in my area, and most all of these receivers use existing holes when possible. They have a lifetime warranty you can buy for the whopping price of $5, so you can get coverage cheap.
Then, check out local bike shops for receiver-mounted bike racks, making sure you can get a 1 1/4" model. Brands include Thule and Yakima at the tope end, and Rhode Gear a half a step behind. Make sure that the rack you look at can snug down on the receiver tube (usually a tightening knob or something similar). This is how you make sure the rack is tight and the bikes don't swing. A rack like this will run you another $150 or so, give or take.
I like this method (vs on top of the car or on the trunk) since it keeps the bikes low and off the car and makes it easy to remove them.
andy
posted by 161.114.6...
, Wed, 17 Sep 2003 17:10:55
, Thu, 18 Sep 2003 17:07:16, Wed, 17 Sep 2003 20:10:34
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