Yakima Bighorn 4 (1 1/4" ) Review

The rack is great, but the 1.25 version does not fit my Honda Fit 2008 hitch.

The problem is that the receiver tongue is about 0.24 inch too long, so that I could not insert the pin.

Called Yakima. They were nice and mentioned: Known problem.

To their defense I found a statement on their website that stated that with this car it might or might not fit.

Guess I am in the might not fit category.



Anyway I looked at Thule and their receiver is about 0.5 inches shorter and can hold more weight. Also was easier to install.

Personnely I like the Thule better. The only thing I like better with the Yakima are the standard anti-sway cradles. They are awesome.

With the Thule you have to purchase those separately for 20$.



Great rack but didn't fit on Honda Fit 2008 hitch.
We ride bikes several times per week. I say we meaning my me and my kids. So I carry 2-3 bikes on this several times per week. There are problems with heavy use. First of all, the pin that lets the rack fold down is 3/8 inch. Mine actually bent from running on the highway with 2-3 bikes. I drilled it out and put a 1/2 pin. Also, I didn't trust the threaded hitch pin that comes with the rack, it is also 3/8 inch and all that force is on the threads. If they break, by by rack. So I drilled it out to 1/2, used a regular class 2 1/2 pin and a product called a hich vise. $35 for the hitch vise, but the system works much better and is more stable. Finally, the sytem holds the bikes with flexible plastic pieces which slide on 1 1/4" metal poles. They hold the bikes well, but they also slide on the poles resulting in bikes ending up touching and rubbing paint off each other. Since I have no idea how anyone could fit four bikes on this rack, I went with mounts for three. You can remove a screw on the end of each pole, take the end cap off and slide off or on the pieces that hold the bikes on. I took one set off and then cut 1 1/4 inch PVC pipe to keep the other three sets equal distance from each other. This is dirt cheap and works extremely well, the bikes stay put on the poles and don't touch each other. Lots of modifications for this rack but it works well now. I think I would buy a more expensive one in the future but there aren't many choices if you need 1 1/4 and all I have ia a class 2 hitch so I can't use a 2 inch hitch.
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