Review on 🚲 Allen Sports 2-Bike Hitch Racks: Versatile Solution for 1 1/4 in. and 2 in. Hitch by Ryan Williams

Got this for use in a Focus sedan and I have to say it works great. I have this Deluxe+ locking model bought all the basic features I'm looking for. Here's what I like: 1) The unit is very easy to assemble. Basically you need to install 3 screws. Please note that 1 is longer than the others. 2 .Metric wrenches are required .2) The unit can be installed into a 1 1/4" or 2" receiver. To do this you will need to install a 1 1/4" to 2" adapter. If you have 1 1/4 " you will need to remove the 2 "adapter" which requires a metric allen key. My receiver is 1 1/4". Insert the stand into the receiver until the knob snaps into the hole in the receiver. At this point it's not fully fixed. You then need to twist the handle on the end of the unit (the triangular part in the photo) causing the wedge to snap into place to fully secure the device in the receiver. At this point it should feel very stiff in the receiver - if not (at least for a 1 1/4" receiver), it should have you any problem. 4) Your receiver has a triangular handle with a key lock that allows you to turn it off. So if someone tries to unscrew it to steal your rack, it just spins around and does nothing. Works perfectly. Just remember to put the key on the car key ring so you can remove it when you want to remove it. It comes with 2 keys. 5) The tilt function is pretty good. It allows you to tilt the top of your car away from your car 20-30 degrees by pulling the red handle about 1/3 from the bottom of the photo. This should allow most SUV trunks or doors to open. It's spring loaded so I don't see any bumps or anything that would accidentally catch it in normal use. right, just slide it back and it automatically locks into a vertical position. 6) A tip for when it's time to unplug this from your receiver. Do you remember the triangular handle you used to attach it? Well, you have to unscrew it to free the device. Remember that little button I mentioned "clicks"? Well, you have to click on it to unlock the device. Although there is a little trick. You just want to unscrew the handle until it clears the wedge, and no more. Then press the button and pull out the device. If you "also" unscrew the handle by pushing and pulling the button, it won't work because the button pushes on the opposite side and jams the damn thing in your receiver. Pull to please your heart and it doesn't budge. Just remember not to unscrew it too far and you'll be fine. I think overall this is a quality device. However, I deduct 1 star because there are no straps or pads that you need when transporting the bike. What do you need you ask? 1) You will need straps to secure the front wheel to keep it from dangling (unless you don't care, in which case don't worry). 2) You will need straps to attach the bike frame to the rack to keep the bike from rocking back and forth (same - no worries then no worries). 3) You need a spacer that fits between the 1st bike and the rack and if you are transporting the 2nd bike between 2 bikes. Without padding, there's nothing stopping the bike from hitting/rubbing against things. I'm going to use PE foam blocks (closed cells so they don't have to be saturated with water - like pool noodles I think) instead of PU foam blocks (open cells, so like a sponge). Upholstery would be a solid 5 stars. Yes, I think most would like that.