Kuat Transfer V2 Hitch Bike Rack [Rider Review]

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Effortlessly secure and transport your bikes with the Kuat Transfer V2 3-bike rack—affordable, sturdy, and user-friendly for worry-free adventures!

Overview

I purchased the Kuat Transfer V2 3-bike rack and couldn’t be happier. I've had multiple hitch-style bike racks where the bike hangs from its crossbar instead of sitting on its wheels, and they’ve been nothing but a cause of frustration and angst.

When our family planned a 12-hour road trip to Bentonville, I knew we needed something better. I started looking at the options and was quickly drawn to the Kuat Piston and 1UP racks. I also explored comparable options from RockyMounts, Yakima, and Thule. I'm sure these would all be great racks, but they all carry about a $900–$1,200 price tag for the 3-bike options. This just wasn’t where my current budget stood.

In the end, I went with the Kuat Transfer V2. I felt like the Transfer V2 had minimal compromises at almost half the price.

Worldwide Cyclery had a competitive price, and I was even able to snag a discount code to save an additional 10%! The shipping was quick, and I received it in less than a week. The Kuat Transfer V2 comes disassembled, but the assembly process was easy to follow and went together quickly and efficiently. There were no missing parts, and everything fit together well.

I have a hitch that accepts a 2” receiver, so I bought the 2” receiver model. Kuat makes a 1¼” receiver option as well, and if I’m not mistaken, a model that can be modified with a coupler or something similar to accommodate either size. Don’t quote me on that part, but I recall seeing all three options. The 2” receiver option I purchased has a bolt that can be tightened once the rack is installed into the hitch, which engages a metal lever that tightens the rack within the receiver. This eliminates any play, preventing side-to-side or up-and-down movement. Once you tighten that bolt, the rack is super solid, with no noise or jostling of your precious bikes during transportation. This is definitely one of my favorite features, something lacking in other hitch-style bike racks I've used.

Now onto some of my other favorite features of this bike rack. It includes an integrated cable-type bike lock that not only keeps your bikes secure but also locks the rack itself to the hitch, deterring potential theft of bikes or the rack. When not in use, the bike rack folds vertically toward the vehicle with just the press of a smoothly operating lever that’s easy to reach. This is super convenient because it allows me to park in my garage without removing the rack.

On our recent trip, we transported three mountain bikes: two adult bikes and one youth 24” bike. They all fit perfectly without bumping or rubbing against each other. The wheel supports on the rack accommodated all three bikes, despite their different dimensions and wheelbase geometry.

Final Thoughts

Bikes are extremely easy to load and unload, and securing them on the rack is effortless. I highly recommend the Kuat Transfer V2. It provides excellent value for your money, and I anticipate it lasting us for many years!