Vertical hitch bike racks are gaining popularity and this made us look into the best available options. The Yakima Hangover 6 has the highest bike carrying capacity of 6racks are among the high-quality vertical hitch bikes with a maximum of 6 bike capacity. 

In this article, we will review Hangover 4 and 6 and side-by-side rate them for features, capacity, aesthetics, price, and security. 

Rack score

After learning how difficult it may be to select the most appropriate best bike rack, we developed the rack score (R score) grading system for bike racks. This rating system is based on evaluating each bike rack’s features, capacity, aesthetics, pricing, and level of customer satisfaction. 

We assign each of these elements an R score on a ranking of 10 after studying them all. Finally, a weighted overall R score is provided to assist you to compare the various bike racks and deciding which one to purchase.

Features of Yakima Hangover

This vertically oriented bike rack takes up the least amount of room while accommodating many bikes. Only bikes with suspension forks are intended for these racks. The foot-operated tilt mechanism adjusts the position of the rack for simple loading and unloading, which is one of the characteristics that is handy. Because the rack tilts down and out of the way, you can also reach the back of the car.

Fork crowns that can support bikes and fat bikes with security are necessary for this rack. You don’t have to be concerned about damaging the paint on your bike because the bikes are protected by the soft padding of Hangover. The mast also has three configurations for increased ground clearance and loading simplicity. There are three mast angles as well to prevent bike-tire collision with your car.

Only 2″ hitch receivers suit this rack. The front fork’s crown lock prevents the front tires from banging against one another while you’re driving. The wheel may freely spin yet is motionless and soundless. The ratchet secures the back tire.  Both Yakima Hangover 6 and 4 are durable and simple to use. A bottle opener is also included.

This design is incredibly user-friendly and quick to install, taking no more than 30 minutes to put together. Even though assembly may just take a few minutes, the rack is heavy, so you might need assistance docking it into your hitch.

Additionally, the Hangover may require some practice at first to get the idea of loading bikes. You should also know that it is usual for the fully laden rack to swing and vibrate somewhat when being transported. After mounting, if you don’t secure the front wheels, they’ll probably spin for the duration of your journey. These features earn an R score of 8.

Is Hangover secure?

We place great value on a bike rack’s security mechanisms. There may be several times while driving when you must leave the vehicle; for instance, you may wish to visit a store and buy some snacks. But you would not want your bike or bike rack to be robbed.  

As a result, when purchasing a bike rack, either check to see whether it has locking capabilities or attempt to figure out how to secure both the rack as well as the bikes.

Whenever you’re out, you may lock up your bikes using the sturdy lock that is welded on the top of Hangover. It also has an additional double-latching system that fits over your fork. For these security features, we give Hangover an R score of 9.

Aesthetics of Hangover hitch mount rack

Are you looking for a stylish bike rack to put on your car’s trunk? The 4-bike rack is 48 inches in length, 21 inches in width, and 7 inches in height, and it weighs 74 pounds. Yakima Hangover 6 and 4 both have a nice setup for the bikes to be placed in. They have a metal body, which makes them strong and durable. The R score for this appearance is 10.

Are the customers of Yakima Hangover 6 satisfied?

We feel that a person who may have bought and used a bike rack is the best candidate to evaluate it. We learn more about people’s opinions about a bike rack’s design and compatibility as we read more customer evaluations.

On Amazon, Hangover has a rating of 4.4 out of 5. Of all the users,  86% have assigned the bike rack a 4- or 5-star rating because they appreciate it. We assign this evaluation an R score of 8.5.

Capacity and Compatibility

The Yakima Hangover 6 has a capacity of 6 bikes however, a 4-bike version is also available. Only suspension forks will work with it. It may be used to transport adult 29-inch bikes as well as 20- and 24-inch mountain bikes for children. 

This rack’s 37.5-pound load capacity per bike means that it might not be able to carry the weight of e-bikes. Additionally, it won’t function with road, downhill, or dual crown bikes. Due to two mounting options, it is more adaptable to a wider range of vehicles. 

A 2″ hitch receiver is the sole prerequisite. Chevy Tahoe, Chrysler Pacifica, and Suburban are a few examples of compatible automobiles. For vans and SUVs, the rack may be changed to position 2, however, RVs cannot use it. For a high capacity but low compatibility with bikes, we give it an R score of 8.5.

Is Hangover worth the price?

If a bike rack is shielding your vehicle and bikes from dents and scratches, the cost is not prohibitive. A bike rack will be cost-effective if it offers value. The 4-bike rack costs about $600, and since it can transport four bikes, each bike will cost you $150. 

Yakima Hangover 6 is comparable to the 4-bike version in that it costs around $950 to purchase and costs about $160 per bike. It seems to be a good investment given that the rack provides a favorable traveling experience while rendering minimal liability to automobiles. We assign it an R score of 9 for this.

Brand value of Yakima 

Whenever purchasing a bike rack, you should take a moment to think about the brand value. It’s not like all companies take steps to provide their clients with high-quality bike racks. Therefore, it is preferable to choose a bike rack from a reputable manufacturer.

Yakima provides several practical options for carrying heavy loads of items safely. It strives to offer innovative, practical, and durable products. Yakima values customer happiness and for its brand value, we give it an R score of 9.

Hangover vertical rack

Conclusion 

Yakima Hangover has an overall rack score of 8.775. It beats other hitch bike racks on the base of capacity and aesthetics. But you should keep in mind that it will only work for suspension fork bikes. If you own multiple suspension fork bikes, there cannot be a better choice than the Yakima Hangover 6. The rack will allow you to access the car trunk and will also provide security to the bikes so you can easily leave them for a while. 

Frequently asked questions

What bike rack best tilting?

The tilting function of bike racks is important when they are rear-mounted. Yakima Hangover has a tilting feature which is very convenient to use since it is foot operated. Thus you will not have to uninstall this vertical hitch bike rack to access the car trunk. Among the platform hitch bike racks, the Saris Superclamp also has a tilting feature.