Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I bought the Kuat Sherpa rack from a Local Bike Shop after shopping around carefully.
My priorities:
- hitch mounted
- 'tray' type, no attachment via upper tubes (required for hybrid and recreation / cruiser bikes)
- everything included, such as cable and lock
- clearance behind SUV with a rear spare
This rack actually failed the last criteria. My 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara couldn't use the rack without using a six-inch hitch extension, which I bought at a local trailer supply for about $15. Most likely any SUV with a rear mounted spare like a Jeep Wranger or Toyota RAV4 will have this problem. Extensions generally are 6-12" and I intentionally chose the shortest one for maximum approach & departure clearance.
My other complaint with the rack is that it fits a 1.75" hitch, which typically you see on cars and other things really not meant for towing at all, and uses a cam bolt to fit into the more common (for trucks and SUVs) 2" hitch like I have. Problem: the cam bolt is not nearly adequate to truly fill the .25" gap, so the trailer will move around a bit. (Mine moves even more due to the hitch extension, but I can't fault Kuat for that.) It is secure; it's definitely not going anywhere. But if you watch it dance on a bumpy road, it's a bit disturbing. The whole trailer moves as one, however, and there is absolutely no danger of the bikes rubbing on each other assuming you've mounted them properly.
These two complaints stop me from rating it 5/5, but I don't think there is a better hitch on the market for my needs. It is quick and easy to secure bikes in the rack and you won't damage the frame or wheels. ...Unless you ding them with the provided cable, which has exposed metal and it would've been nice to have that rubberized. Speaking of that cable, it isn't long enough to completely secure two bikes. I use the included cable and then put a separate locking cable through the rear wheel of one bike, both frames, and front wheel of the other. It's pretty secure like this but wouldn't survive an encounter with real bolt cutters.
When folded down and using a 6" hitch extension, I can fully open the side-hinged rear door on my SUV with the rack installed and no bikes on it. I'm quite pleased with this and it works very well to haul bikes and gear wherever I need to go. The trailer weighs around thirty pounds and I can easily install and remove it by myself. (170lb skinny bicycling guy.) When folded and locked in the 'up' position, it can't be seen behind the SUV and travels easily. Because of my particular vehicle, though, I can't open the rear door with the trailer folded up.
Saris makes a competing trailer you might consider but it's much more clunky looking and heavier. The Saris unit can be expanded to 4 bikes, but I bought this one because by the time my son is riding a 20" bike (the smallest supported by this rack) he might have his own car to haul the thing around. Until then, kiddo bikes will go on the roof. I have put 26" MTBs, road bikes, rec/cruiser bikes and hybrid bikes on this trailer. It's awesome.
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The best singletrack you've ever seen is a day's drive away, and with the Kuat Sherpa 2 Bike Rack, you can get there without filling your tiny trunk and back seat with a impenetrable pretzel of bike parts. Best suited for mountain bikes, this rack easily secures two bikes weighing up to 40 pounds each and is compatible with two-inch and 1.25-inch receivers (hitches) thanks to the one-sized-fits-all attachment.Product Features
Bike Capacity: 2
Compatibility: (one size fits both) 2 inch receivers, 1.25 inch receivers
Locks Included: yes
Recommended Use: mountain bikes, road trips
Manufacturer Warranty: lifetime
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