Planning a summer road trip? Whether heading into the desert or just passing through a heatwave, you donโt want your hitch rack melting down on you.
Most people donโt swallow a ebike rack untilโitโs all over with. Warped plastic, metal so hot itโstood the rack up and burned it, bolts loosenedโฆ all because the rack didnโt take the heat. If youโre going to be travelling in high temperatures,โyou need gear thatโs designed for the challenge.
Letโs dig into what toโseek, what to avoid and what hitch racks can take the heat without sweat.
WhyโHeat-Resistance Truly Counts
But extreme heat isnโt just uncomfortable; it canโdamage your gear. Unprotected and behind your vehicle, hitch racks soak up every sun ray for hours. After a while, that sortโof exposure wears on a person.
Hereโs how:
Plastic components can bend orโbreak. If the rack is built with low-grade plastic, it will begin to bend, break, or become brittle.
Metal parts can overheat. Touch a sunbaked metal rack, and youโll knowโwhat I mean. Even worse, when the wheels are transported, it can ruin your bike tires orโframes.
Mounts loosen up. Heatโcan make things expand and contract, resulting in loose bolts or wobbling rides.
The bottom line? Not every rack is built forโsummer. But the good ones? They areโdesigned to face it down.
What to Consider When Choosing a Heat-ResistantโHitch Rack
Here are some features toโlook for when buying a hitch rack designed for hot weather:
High-Quality Materials
Chooseโpowder-coated steel or aircraft-grade aluminium. Such materials are robust, durable,โand minimally impacted by high heat. Avoid the racksโstuffed with junky plastic.
UV-Resistant Coating
A good coating protects against rust and mitigates heat damage. The frame isโpowder coated with UV protection to stay cooler and more stable.
Minimal Plastic Joints
A rack with too many plasticโconnectors is a red flag. In highโheat, plastic can warp unevenly or crack due to stress.
Open Frame Design
Airflow should help reduce heatโbuild-up, so we recommend a rack. Itโs kind of like ventilation forโyour hitch.
RigidโLocking and Mounting Mechanism
Choose racks with suitable locking mechanisms that remain ace, even on extended drivesโin hot weather. You donโt want your rack bouncing all over the place on a bumpyโroad in the desert.
Best Hitch Racksโfor Maximum Heat
Here are some racks that have survived summer heat and long, sun-scorched roadโtrips:
Thule T2 Pro XTR
Constructed usingโdurable aluminium and steel
Premium powder-coated finish
Tool-free mount system that securelyโattaches to the TV
Goes as well asโa champ with e-bikes and mountain bikes
Yakima Stage Two
Ultraviolet coating heat-coating heating surfaces
Airflow-friendly design system withโa sleek aesthetic
Smart tilt mechanism for ease ofโaccess to the trunk
Fits up to 60 lbs per bike
Kuat NV 2.0
Sturdy alloy construction
Synchronizedโcooling channel of the platform
More metal, less plastic,โ= higher heat tolerance.
It comes with a built-in repairโstand
Hollywood Racks Sport Rider
Complete steel frame with powderโcoating
Works well in harsh weather
Featured adjustable stress reducersโon frames
Budget-friendly but tough
Saris Super Clamp EX
Lightweight yet tough design
No traditional wheelโtrays mean fewer points of contact for heat
Compact and easy to store
Built with summer in mind
Theseโracks are reliable even in a triple-digit heat. Each has differentโfeatures, so your choice will depend on your budget, bike type, age and how often youโre on the road.
How to keep your rackโlooking at its best in the summer.
The purchase of the right track is only half ofโthe task. Here are some ways to keep your AC running longerโthrough extreme heat:
- Check all boltsโbefore each trip. Over time, heat can push themโloose.
- Use a cover. Parked in the sun? Aโlid prevents heat from accumulating.
- Do not leave inโfull sun for long whilst stationary. If you can, find a shadedโarea.
- Clean regularly. Dustโand heat can destroy your coating.
- Inspect plastic parts. The presence ofโcracks or deformations means itโs time to eliminate it.
Final Thoughts
The hitch mount bike rack is more than a tool itโs theโumbilical cord between your car and your adventure. Donโt let extreme heat make yourโroad trip a repair stop.
Buy a rack thatโs designed forโhot weather. It might cost a bit It’s more now, but it will save you a lot of headaches down the road. Are you ready for the heat? Then,โget a hitch rack made to clobber it.
