Putting a bike rack on the Outback cargo carrier

There's a weight limit restriction on the rack (70# I think - read enclosed info). That said, my sister and BF (with 2015 Outback) have bike racks for 2 bikes (yakima) plus the spare on their rack and it rides solid with no issues (sorry, haven't seen pictures. Just heard reports). These are not heavy mt bikes, but higher end/lighter road bikes. As an alternative, I've heard many people use folding bikes, especially since prices have dropped dramatically in the past few years.

In keeping with Mike's suggestion, the Arvika bike rack allows you to glimpse at the bikes to make sure there isn't any undo wobbling or tie-down issues. Sorta a peace of mind thing for me. I once had to beep repeatedly at a small sedan to get their attention because the two road bikes they had on their trunk bike rack were bouncing so badly, I was afraid one was going to bounce off. 

I had Pleasant Valley install the Outback-style tire rack on the back of my 2015 T@B.   I prefer the tire there than underneath.   However also carrying bikes on the Yakima rack puts the weight on the rack seriously over its limits.   We carry our bikes on top of the Jeep and, depending on where our travels take us, also carry either two sea kayaks or recreational kayaks up there along with the bikes. 

I just ordered a couple of these Inno http://www.rackwarehouse.com/inno-ina392-multi-fork-lock-thru-axle-bike-carrier.html  carriers to put on the Outback rack.  They are not only less costly than the Yakima versions,  they are compatible with different mountain bike thru axles or regular 9mm skewers.  We will be using both style axles, so this was nice to find.  Another bonus, is that locks are included, which were extra with Yakima; only question will be quality.  I think the combined weight of the racks and our bicycles won't be much more than the tire was up there, so not too concerned about that.

For times when we think we'll want to drop the T@b and take the bikes with the TV,  we're going to get the $40 dual hitch receiver and take the our hitch mounted rack that folds up.  It won't be usable with the T@b attached,  but once we drop the T@b, we can fold down the bike rack and take off.   Not the most elegant solution,  but if the person with the most bike racks wins,  we're at least going to be competitive.

I got the Inno bike racks installed on the T@b Outback rack last night,  I think they are going to work out great, quality seems as good as Thule or Yakima.  Only "drawback" I see is that since the locks are included I now have to carry 2 keys.  With the big brands you buy the locks separate and can get matching locks.  For the money though, these look very good. Plus the attachment to the rack is universal and will work on just about everything.

If it stops raining today, I plan to put the bikes on and take pictures.  Want to make sure the rack works with disc brakes the way it claims too, don't foresee a problem.  The inserts to adjust for different axle sizes click into the rack,  and are easy to swap out,  looks like an ingenious system.  Not sure why Yakima doesn't have something similar.

So the bike rack count now stands at 1 trunk mount that holds up to 3 bikes on just about any vehicle.  1 Thule 2 bike hitch mount tray carrier.   1 Curt 4 bike hitch mount tray carrier (for those trips where we can't decide between road bike or mtn. bike).   And now 2 Inno rooftop carriers.  Also have Yakima kayak racks,  and ski racks for both cars.  Whew.

Nice looking set-up, db!

If you need a step stool idea, we already had a Walmart mainstays brand stool sitting around,  that folds flat and that we will be using with our Outback.  Same brand as the table everyone here gets at Walmart.  It's sturdy and perfect for putting the bikes on the trailer, and would work for your Jeep too.  I plan on folding it flat and storing in the load warrior rack along with a piece of outdoor carpet to put at the front door.

Trailsnail said:

I put a front hitch on my expedition and put bike rack on front of vehicle. Works well and easy to remove bikes

Can you provide a link and/or some photos? I also have an Expedition.

I carry 2 heavy fiberglass sea kayaks,  but on the vehicle roof.  I wouldn't even carry one on the outback with the angle the rack is,  Plus it would probably drag on the ground being 18 feet long.  I might put one whitewater kayak on there, but I don't think I would do two.   I'm putting carbon fiber bikes on ours, and maybe a few light bulky items in the cargo rack, but that's it. I think it's even more important to abide the rack weight limit than on a car rack,  I don't want to stress the roof of the T@B.

db, it really looks cool. Can't wait to see your rig fully loaded! Sure don't want to be behind you on the freeway! B-)

Because of the angle of the rack on the back of the Tab there, I'd worry that it might be hard on your headset bearings, constantly pulling/bouncing down on them at an angle like that. The headset is really holding most of the weight of the bike in that rack configuration. Keep an eye on those handlebars for looseness and flat spots.

db_cooper said:

I count this as a success,  even though there was a mishap.  I learned another lesson the hard way. 

I think these racks are going to work great for our purposes,  .........

Picking up my 2 Inno racks this weekend from REI.  I really liked your setup db...will let you know how it turns out!! 

Looks great, let us know how it goes.  We are still waiting for warmer weather to take the bikes anywhere.   FYI,  I moved the towers all the way down in the rails as far as they would go.  Also, we took the spare off and put it inside for now under the rear bench passenger side,  I'm planning on putting the front wheels in a cargo bag along with other light items, like an outdoor rug, and our dirty bike shoes, etc.

Definitely like the design of the racks, it's nice that they work with all types of front axles. 

My bike rack installed.,

T@Balong said:

I had Pleasant Valley install the Outback-style tire rack on the back of my 2015 T@B.   I prefer the tire there than underneath.   However also carrying bikes on the Yakima rack puts the weight on the rack seriously over its limits.   We carry our bikes on top of the Jeep and, depending on where our travels take us, also carry either two sea kayaks or recreational kayaks up there along with the bikes. 

I also had Outback-style tire rack installed on back of 2015 T@B. I don't have anything in/on it yet as I was concerned about weight, but would like to place spare tire inside. You haven't had any problems with tire?  And, how did you attach?

So, we put two comfort bikes weighing 36lbs each on our Outback rack and experienced too much sway as soon as we got a little wind at highway speed. We pulled off at the first exit and put our bikes inside and kept going on a 500 mile trip to Brown County SP, in Indiana. For the trip home I shoved the canoe and Rocket Box over and got one of the bikes on the roof, then put one of the bikes back on the Outback rack, filled the fresh water tank, and got very little sway even with a flag straitening crosswind. That heavy wind made my partner nervous so I pulled over at the next gas station and put that bike inside the Outback. We were monitoring the movement on the camper closely and noticed it still moved a little in the heavy wind, i.e. we don't think the bike on or off the rack made much difference. Now I'm considering getting a sway bar.