Looking for Hitch Advice

[berlindx]

I am looking to add a bike rack to my RWD EXT Astro and annoyingly the easiest way to do that seems to be to install a hitch (I already have a hitch mounted bike rack)

I found these two hitches that look like they should work.

This one requires drilling and sounds like it will definitely fit:
http://amzn.com/B000CQOIR8

This one doesn't require drilling but I can't tell if it will definitely mount easily/fit:
http://amzn.com/B000E283VC

Also, I am wondering if a full size spare will fit with these hitches. Anybody have experience with these?

Thanks!

[AstroWill]

You probably won't like the universal one, it looks like it would almost be on the ground once installed on the Astro.

Personally I would go with Hidden Hitch 87516 as it has the best load ratings. You may only have a bike rack on it now, but you might want to do some towing in the future.

The cheapest way is to check out your local Pick-n-Pull yard and see what they have available. I paid $15-20 for the one on my 99(now sold), and it looked brand new.

[Coaster]

berlindx you did not read my thread i started last week.

[AstroWill]

Here is the link to it. The take-away? Don't buy the hitch that he did, much better ones out there. viewtopic.php?f=28&t=22865#p233393

[berlindx]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll make a trip to my local u-pull-it later this week.

[Rockridge]

This is more like rack advise but I have been using a Yakima swing out rack that I modified with longer arms so it would actually fit three bikes. Then the kids bikes changed ( couple of full suspension frames) and their frames wouldn't fit well with the rack design. Really those typical racks with the two arms sticking out work best with a regular diamond frame. Anything odd shape and it gets akward. I'm looking at the Lolo rack system. Will probably buy the hangers and modify my swing out. We are a family of 5 so I really want to get all the bikes racked up and out of the van. If you are traveling solo this might not matter. Your bike will stay cleaner and be safer in the van.