1up Heavy Duty - still worth it?

TXNavy · Jan 17, 2023

RBoardman said:
Has anyone had issues with the ball “locking” mechanism that keeps the rack inside the hitch receiver? Mine has gotten loose on more than one occasion, one time I was able to remove the rack by hand without any tools. Probably would have fell off with another drive or two.

Never, on two racks. But...I also never use it without a lock in addition to their device so there is redundancy. Half because I've heard stories of racks being stolen, half because even if it's never happened before, the idea of the rack getting loose on the highway is too significant a consequence to rely on just the one device.

Helmut Molde · Jan 17, 2023

RBoardman said:
Has anyone had issues with the ball “locking” mechanism that keeps the rack inside the hitch receiver? Mine has gotten loose on more than one occasion, one time I was able to remove the rack by hand without any tools. Probably would have fell off with another drive or two.

I wiggle mine as I tighten it, seems to snug it down. Never had a prob. I also have a 'leash' that will drag the rack behind if it does actually get loose enough to fall out.

AKamp · Jan 17, 2023

I wiggle mine as well while I am tightening. Never have a problem. 1up also sells locks for the wheels and the receiver that are keyed alike so it fixes the other two complaints here. Nice thing about the 1up is that it is pretty compact. For 2 bikes I would guess it is a least a foot shorter then comparable racks. I can actually open the lift gate on my Subaru with the two bike rack raised. Don’t even have to put it down.

chase2wheels · Jan 17, 2023

I think they need an update where there’s just a touch more room between each bike. Maybe just an inch or two. I’ve had bikes with flat pedals rub the frame of another bike on the rack next to it.

prozach0215 · Jan 17, 2023

If you have a last gen ram 1500 you can't put the tailgate down without an extension which sucks also.

Yolo_MTB · Jan 17, 2023

chase2wheels said:
I think they need an update where there’s just a touch more room between each bike. Maybe just an inch or two. I’ve had bikes with flat pedals rub the frame of another bike on the rack next to it.

We have had that happen with the Kuat NV 2.0 as well. These are a cheap solution. Also if you store bikes in your vehicle.

flipnidaho · Jan 17, 2023

Yes- The 1Up Heavy Duty is still worth it. I've looked at the new offerings from 1Up and others and while they look good, I do like the modularity of the 1Up. I have had to rebuild a couple (one due to me backing up into a boulder and another due to an attempted theft of the rack) and the fact that you can just buy the pieces is a great benefit. The only complaint I had was the ability to lower or raise the rack easily (they now sell a handle to do this easier).

AKamp · Jan 17, 2023

Other thing that 1up allows is you can shift the bikes right and left on the racks to help with fitting multiple bikes. This is even more true if you order your 1up with the full length bike trays. You won’t be able to fold it up quite as small when it isn’t on the vehicle but I never really considered that a benefit.

Duffman1976 · Jan 17, 2023

RBoardman said:
Has anyone had issues with the ball “locking” mechanism that keeps the rack inside the hitch receiver? Mine has gotten loose on more than one occasion, one time I was able to remove the rack by hand without any tools. Probably would have fell off with another drive or two.

I find that if you rock the rack while tightening the ball it will be much more secure. Same thing happened to me once with regards to it coming loose before I used the rocking technique. I did get rear ended a couple of weeks ago and the rack to all of the impact like a champ. The only damage to it besides some scratches and scrapes were the teeth being broken off that hold it in the upright position. When the dude that hit me finally pays up I'll be replacing the damaged piece for $350 and upgrade to the slotted hitch option which provides an option to lock it to the vehicle.

CRUZe · Jan 17, 2023

I considered a 1up rack but the cost exceeds the GDP of some 3rd world countries. I wouldn't be able to live with the guilt.

547319 · Jan 17, 2023

CRUZe said:
I considered a 1up rack but the cost exceeds the GDP of some 3rd world countries. I wouldn't be able to live with the guilt.

And yet mountain biking is your hobby.....

J_Westy · Jan 17, 2023

DrDon said:
1 1/4 hitch is more likely to loosen, more so with additional trays and on service roads. The 2in loosened on a bumpy service road once when I first got it. The 1 1/4 rack is now my daughter’s. I’m a big fan.

My 2" 1up never loosens up, but my 1-1/4" with 2" adapter does a little bit, so I'll use the velco strap on that one... weird.

RBoardman said:
Anyone knows that the inside of a 1-up rack looks like?
Can I drill a hole in it and add a hitch pin lock just to be extra sure it never falls off and goes through someone’s window on the freeway?

Newest 2" stingers take a 1/4" pin lock.

flipnidaho · Jan 17, 2023

Instead of Velcro, I use steel cables and carabiners.

Ktom300 · Jan 17, 2023

I love my 1up. I've seen some on Craigslist lately if you're looking.
As far as getting 2 bikes on the rack I find it much easier than most. Along with the height offset, it's very simple to move bikes left or right to offset them. I don't know if another rack that can do that.

diverge · Jan 17, 2023

Love my 1up rack. Apparently the lock doesn't fit through everyone's hitch but I run mine every time. It's been solid for a couple years now. Barely any signs off wear and never comes loose.

Offspring · Jan 17, 2023

I looked at all the newer offerings and decided to stick with my 2-bike sportworks (pre Thule). Mostly due to rack / vehicle interface. I don't care for the way the smaller posts are integrated into the larger receivers.

dysfunction · Jan 17, 2023

I have a 2" receiver, and a 2" post. There's no adapter, so I guess I'm confused.

Helmut Molde · Jan 17, 2023

Duffman1976 said:
I find that if you rock the rack while tightening the ball it will be much more secure. Same thing happened to me once with regards to it coming loose before I used the rocking technique.