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Nov 28, 2024
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This adaptable system allows you to haul a lot of e-bikes (both in number and weight), and has the versatility to serve cargo-carrying needs as well.
Saris’ Modular Hitch System (MHS) is a well-thought-out concept. It’ll grab e-bikers’ attention as one of the few hitch racks out there that can haul up to two 100-lb e-bikes, but that is only the beginning. It’s a hitch rack system that can address today’s needs and adapt to needs that will arise later in life, with just a little forethought required.
There are three different base options to choose from. You buy the receiver with the bike-carrying capacity you need, with room to add more later.
We tested the Saris Modular Hitch System 3+1. We were impressed with how quickly and easily you can load up and carry heavier e-bikes in the first two tray spots and loved the flexibility of taking up to four bikes. Saris has several additional accessories that make life even simpler, like a portable bike ramp, lights that integrate with a vehicle’s brake lights, and a hitch tightener to ensure the heavy-duty system is tightly in place.
Bikes secure easily with no frame contact (your bike’s paint job will thank you), and since they’re modular, you can choose the tray option that secures one or two wheels. The modularity extends to a cargo basket that can replace or line up next to your bike trays. It makes it easier to lug a cooler when camping and still bring your bike along.
Overall, this system was heavy-duty. It was one of the beefier racks we’ve tested, which gives it such a good weight rating, but it also makes it one of the heavier racks to fold up and down.
Overall, we really enjoyed this system. There are just a few caveats to it that you need to know about to determine whether it’ll best suit your needs. All the details are found below in the full Saris Modualr Hitch System review.
Pros- Its unique modular design has many benefits: you can buy only what you need as you go, change up how you use it for bikes, cargo, or bikes + cargo, etc.
- The ability to carry two e-bikes up to 100 lbs each is as high a weight capacity as you’ll find. Go ahead and throw on the moped-style, cargo, or all-terrain e-bikes!
- It is highly adaptable as it can fit up to 230 lbs. of bikes (80 + 80 + 35 + 35) on the 3+1 model, with wheelbases up to 53″ in length and tire sizes 20 – 29″ in diameter and 5″ wide.
- Security is built-in with a retractable cable lock that’s keyed alike with the hitch pin.
- The clamping mechanism’s lack of frame contact makes it great for preserving the paint job or for carbon frames in general.
- The cargo basket attachment can hold up to 200 lbs. and, with other accessories, can fit a roof rack.
- It works with many nice accessories, such as a ramp for loading heavier bikes, lights, and a different holder for fenders.
- The four-position tilt system helps you get bikes on the rack, access the back of a vehicle, or even just a little extra clearance away from the rear hatch if the fit feels tight.
Cons- It’ll work best with larger SUVs and trucks. When extended, it’s not a sloped design (it is flat to accommodate the cargo basket attachment), so you’ll want to have a ground clearance of at least 10″ to avoid scrapes when going up an angled driveway, or managing the variables of offroading.
- Heavy-duty steel and aluminum construction is great for durability and strength, but when loaded to the max (our tester was the MHS 3+1 system), it’s heavy at over 120 lbs. It’s best to have two people when getting it on and off a hitch.
Saris Modular Hitch System Video Review
Saris Modular Hitch System Details
| Mechanism For Securing Bikes | Looped wheel arms on DUO trays, Cradle hook arms for UNO trays. Wheel strap for extra stability. |
| Max Wheel Base Length | 53” |
| Vehicle Type | Cars, Trucks, SUVs, RVs (not tow-behind trailers) |
| Max Tire Width | 5” |
| Max Tire Diameter | 29” |
| Works With _____ Frames | Step-Thru, Carbon Fiber, Bikes with Fenders, etc. |
| Key Features | Modular system that can mix bike trays and a cargo basket on the hitch (possibility for future mods down the line), RV compatible (not tow-behind trailers) |
| Security Features | Keyed alike integrated locking cables, locking hitch pin |
| Optional accessories | Fender wheel holder, Lighting Kit, Bike Ramp, Cargo Basket (with roof rack capability with optional adapter kit) |
Model Differences
| MHS 1+1 | MHS 2+1 | MHS 3+1 | |
| Hitch Size(s) | 1.25 in”, 2” | 2” | 2” |
| Number of Bikes It Can Carry | Up to 2 | Up to 3 | Up to 4 |
| Max Bike Weight Per Tray | *Up to 80 lbs | *Up to 100 lbs. in first two trays, 35 lbs max in third tray | *Up to 100 lbs. in first two trays, 35 lbs max in third and fourth trays |
| Total Max Weight Capacity | *Up to 115 lbs. | *Up to 200 lbs. | *Up to 230 lbs. |
| Rack Weight | *68 lbs – 103 lbs. | *71 lbs – 139 lbs. | *75 lbs – 176 lbs |
*(See configuration details in the specs section of Saris’s website)
Saris Modular Hitch System Review: Functionality / Using the Rack
Securing the rack to the hitch
Locking hitch pin on a threaded bolt is a safe and secure design. We added on the hitch tightener since we were maxing things our on our MHS 3+1.
It uses a locking hitch pin bolt for a very sturdy connection. However, it does mean tools are required to get it on or off. We also have the Hitch Tightener for added stability, which means twisting a couple more nuts to fasten it all, but the connection will be as solid as a rock once it is in place. From there, bolting the clasp to your tray and securing the tray to the base with the security t-nut goes pretty quickly. So even if you want to only carry as many trays as you’ll have bikes, you can drop one off as quickly as you can undo 5 bolts.
The difficulty of getting it on or off the hitch is relative to how you modify your Saris Modular Hitch System. On the lightest side of the MHS 1+1 base with a single Duo Tray, you’re looking at 60 or so pounds, but if you go all the way up to something like our tester of the MHS 3+1 with all the trimmings, we’re talking north of 120 lbs. It’s definitely a two-person job in that sense!
So why all the heft? The base is steel, and the trays are made from aluminum. The steel makes it more heavy-duty, which is how it gets that high weight rating and is so durable, but just know that it makes it a little trickier to get in and out of the hitch without a helper.
The ramp accessory is nice for geting bikes on the ray, and the arms snap quickly into place after you’ve gotten the spindle preset to the right tire size.
How high off the ground your hitch is and how heavy your bike is will affect how easy it is to load. The easiest way to guarantee an easy loading experience is to grab the ramp accessory, though, which simplifies things. There is ample space between the two trays, so pedal knocking wasn’t too much of a problem.
When the rack is extended, it’s not a “stadium seat” design that angles up as you go further back. This increases the likelihood of handlebars knocking if you have multiple bikes with larger-sized bars, but thanks to the spacing between each tray, we haven’t encountered any actual issues yet.
The arm securely covers the tire and you can keep the paint job pristine since all it will touch is the tire.
The tray heights aren’t staggered due to the optional basket attachment, which needs to kept flat. Fortunately, pacing between trays is sufficient that knocking pedals together isn’t a significant issue, and there’s ample room for fitting bikes, but if you have several bikes with wider handlebars, there’s a chance they could touch (though we haven’t had this issue ourselves)
Spacing is noticeably more snug when using the +1 tray, but it works fine with careful placement.
There is one wheel strap for the rear wheel, while the front gets the added security of a block to press against in transport. Overall, it’s a tight fit that kept our bikes securely in place with a tiny bit of lateral movement.
The rack tilts down for easier trunk access, just remember, it’ll be heavy to get a fully loaded rack back up and the handle angle can feel a little awkward when under load.
It’s nice that you can access the rear of the vehicle. However, it is a pretty heavy rack when you go to the ground, especially if you have the rack weight and bike weight to deal with, so lift with your legs or a second person when moving bikes from the ground to straight back.
Saris Modular Hitch System Review: Driving With the Rack
Stability
As advertised: the rack can securely transport up to four bikes!
Once the bikes are in place, they don’t move around or sway too much. The arms come down tightly on the tires, so there is no unexpected bouncing up. We noticed a little lateral movement (side to side if you were seated on the bike), but that’s common with many other hitch racks.
I like the DUO trays for two looped points of contact, which gives me some peace of mind. With the wheel strap in place, there isn’t much discernible vertical movement when driving.
The rack has an RV rating as well on the MHS 2+1, which in a general sense, requires a bit more heavy-duty construction, which the steel base of the MHS definitely provides, so it seems equipped to transport bikes securely for the long haul. Its construction seems good across our testing.
Entry/Exit angles and ground clearance
The flat design shouldn’t be too problematic if you have a higher ground clearance where the hitch rests on your vehicle. Trucks and larger SUVs should do fine, as would most other vehicles that can get at least 10” of ground clearance from hitch to road.
Accessories
There are a handful of accessories compatible with the MHS. Depending on your type of bike, the fender wheel holders and ramp accessories could be vital.
The ramp is made of metal and is very sturdy. It works for bikes up to 100 lbs. The heaviest one I tested weighed 84 lbs, and it went up the ramp with no problem. I wish this modular system had an attachment mount for putting the ramp on the rack instead of taking up trunk space, but I digress.
We really liked the lights we tested. They’re DOT compliant and have brake, turn signal, and hazard light functionality off the 4-pin system. Their rubber base gives them a little bit of flexibility, which comes in handy if you’re prone to running into it when getting bikes on the back or just when moving around your garage.
The basket attachment has a 200-lb weight capacity. That makes this system more versatile for everyday life. You can still get two bikes on the rack with the basket but at the lower 35-lb rating on those trays. With the purchase of an adapter kit, you can even fix the basket to a roof rack if you need cargo and many bikes to travel with you.
Saris uses the tagline “future-proof system,” so while it’s not a promise that this will happen, we wouldn’t be shocked to see ski and snowboard mods added down the line. It’s the only hitch rack system you need for all your activities.
Saris Modular Hitch System Review: Rack Storage
What it’s like carrying the rack around and storing it
The +1 attachment raises up ove the handlebar. Also, note the lights! They integrate nicely and we love the extra visibility at night.
It also has quite a footprint and will take up some space in your shed or garage if you need it off your vehicle unless you fully disassemble it.
If you’re storing it for a very long period (some winter hibernation, perhaps?), you could undo the clasps of the trays and baskets and save yourself some square footage by stacking them up together. That’s actually a plus; it can take up a relatively small amount of garage space if you do take it apart, which doesn’t take all that long.
Saris Modular Hitch System Review: Our Recommendation
The locks integrate nicely into the tray and tuck away quickly out of sight when not in use.
This larger 3+1 model will best serve those with greater ground clearance, and those with lower-positioned hitches might have success with some of the smaller base options. If you have heavy e-bikes and like the appeal of a system you could tailor to your needs, I think it’s worth pricing to see if it’s within your budget.
Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Saris Modular Hitch System down in our comments section.
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