TheSamba.com :: View topic - Anyone using a Rhode Gear bike rack on your rear hatch?

Mon Sep 26, 2016 5:09 pm

I got a Rhode Gear rack-- the black tubes and big yellow lever-handles on the adjusters. No instructions or good images of them mounted on a Vanagon (or similar, whatever that would be). I hung the larger hooks on the nylon straps into the wide space at the top of the hatch where it closes against the body, and the smaller hooks under the bottom of the hatch-door. The wider of the two U-shaped braces seems to want to ride on the window glass, right at its bottom. I'll only be carrying two bike, and not off-road, so am not too worried about the glass breaking (anyone disagree there) And the narrower U-shape brace hits low on the hatch door-- well below the window. But the side arms of both of the U's are long enough to put the whole rack, thus the bike(s), pretty far back from the hatch-- sort of hanging out a good ways behind the van. My only notion of how to get them in closer to the van would be to cut about 2 1/2 or 3 inches out of both sides of both of the U braces, find a larger diameter tube that just fits over them, and make a splint-sleeve to cover the cut joint-- glued, of course.
Has anyone used one of these, or any other rack that hangs off the top of the hatch door, even if the rack isn't a Rhode Gear model? Photos would be much appreciated. Thanks

Mon Sep 26, 2016 5:53 pm

I use an older Rhode Gear rack. I've never noticed any problems with the upper clips touching the glass, but my rack is 25 years old, maybe even a but older, so perhaps the clips are different.

I find that the clips on the lower end of the hatch come loose, not matter how hard I try to snug them up. Therefore, I have been feeding them around, or behind, the bumper and then around the trailer hitch bar or through the tow loops themselves.

I sometimes substitute a kayak strap with a Anca buckle, such as what NRS sells, instead of the strap with the metal lip.

Mon Sep 26, 2016 6:18 pm

If you're going to use a rack of that style, buy a Saris Bones rack or a higher end Yakima or Thule. High quality, the Saris is abundantly available via the craigslist affordably. I used this on my van, worked great (got something else now, but that's because I have like-to-buy-bike-stuff problems).
Going to Moab once, a friend's bike was on a lower-quality rack of that style. When he got there, his bike's suspension fork's stanchion had been rubbing against another bike for 2000 miles. Rubbed right through the metal leaving a pretty big hole.

Tue Sep 27, 2016 6:56 am

I second the Bones suggestion, if you can afford to replace the Rhode Gear rack. The Bones is not cheap new but can be found very reasonably priced on CL and it is adjustable enough to fit nearly any vehicle you are ever likely to own. This thing rides very solidly with two bikes aboard (haven't tried three yet) and has six straps/hooks instead of the usual four, and there is a two-bike version of the rack available that has just one upper leg.

Tue Sep 27, 2016 7:21 am

I used a similar rack to the Rhode Gear for a long road trip and it worked fine. My only caution is that if the rear wiper hits the rack it will burn out the motor and your van will smell like an electrical fire. I unpacked our entire van trying to find the problem...

The Saris rack looks like a better option.

Tue Sep 27, 2016 11:10 am

I have a older Rhode Gear rack too. I have it adjusted so no part is resting on the glass. Never had any problems. You can see the mounting if you zoom in on this picture.

I am now using a Thule Raceway Pro 3. It is a little cleaner set up and a locking rack.