For an SUV a hitch rack is the way to go. It’s convenient, has a low loading height and it’s removable when not in use. While nothing is perfect, the Saris MHS 2+1 modular hitch rack system is a solid performer that won’t let you down.
Summer… Who likes to ride in the summer, not I. It’s hot as heck and can make riding really unenjoyable. Spring and Fall riding is where it’s at for great biking experiences. But things were much easier as a single guy; for families it can be a bit more involved having to carry 3 – 4 bikes.
MHS stands for Modular Hitch System. The Saris MHS Module hooks up to an existing 2″ receiver on your car or SUV. We are using a CURT C13204 Class III 2″ Hitch Receiver with a tongue weight of 525lbs on a 2015 Nissan Rogue. For bike racks your choices are roof rack, trunk rack, hitch rack; each can have it’s advantages and disadvantages for cost, weight, stability.
Saris has provided us with the MHS 2-Bike Hitch System so that we could provide hands on review coverage of the MHS bike rack and our experience with the hardware to our readers.
Features & Specs
The Saris MHS is an easy to use hitch rack system that can tilt backwards to allow you access to your trunk while still loaded with bikes! Just squeeze the outboard handle trigger, brace for the weight (use 1 hand to hold the weight, the other to squeeze the outboard handle) and lower the rack until it rests on the ground.
The hitch rack slides into a Class III 2″ receiver that is common for most leisure activities. You can use a 1 1/4″ receiver with an adapter if necessary but only on the 1+1 base; beyond that you’ll need a 2″ receiver.
The Duo Bike Tray gives you sure footing and allows you to secure your bike without tools quickly and easily. Accommodates a variety of tires sizes 20 to 29 inches; tires as wide as 5 inches; up to a 53″ wheel base.
MHS Modular Variations
To clear things up a bit the Saris MHS bases come in 3 sizes, MHS 1+1, MHS 2+1, MHS 3+1 depending on how many bikes you want to haul. For the standard capacity setup you’ll need to purchase that many Duo 1-bike trays at $349.00 ea.
Each of the 3 base sizes will allow you to haul an extra bike with the Duo Add-on Tray at $349.00. Each MHS Base requires a 2″ hitch receiver on your vehicle. The MHS 1+1 is compatible with both a 1 1/4″ and 2″ hitch receiver.
Saris MHS 2+1 Base
The Duo Tray 4640 and Duo Add-On tray 4650 appear to be the same with the exception of the way it attaches itself to the MHS Base. It is however important to note that when using the Add-on tray that your carry capacity on the add on tray is reduced to 35lbs or less. It is designed with a car spoiler type of configuration. The space from bike to bike is tighter with this +1 installed, but the bikes still remain separated.
MHS Accessories
Alternatively there is the UNO Tray 4641 for $249.99 which supports bikes up to 60 lbs with a single adjustable arm if you are only carrying lightweight mtn bikes, road bikes or children’s bikes. MHS Cargo 4690 Tray only works with the MHS 2+1 and 3+1 bases. There’s also a MHS Lighting 4695 kit which can give you a little added safety when hauling at capacity.
MHS Installation
Installing the MHS 2+1 is pretty easy but a small amount of assembly is required. Doesn’t take long, just slide the 2+1 base into your 2″ hitch receiver, then line up the holes. Use the threaded Hitch Pin and Lock to secure your MHS Base. Squeeze the outboard handle trigger and tilt the base so it is horizontal and then install the Duo bike trays with the provided hardware.
Setting up the Duo tray isn’t very hard. It’s all basically pre-assembled, you just need to screw in the plastic wheel blocks on the tray and bolt the tray to the base via the provided hardware and Allen bolts.
Once you guide the assembled MHS rack system into the hitch receiver, you’ll need to line up the holes so you can install the locking bolt. It is important to thread and snug up the locking bolt.
The hole is threaded and you can turn most of it with your fingers, then take a socket wrench and snug it up. If you don’t the rack and your bikes will bounce around over bumpy terrain. If you are often traveling on not so smooth or off-road terrain, Saris sells a Universal 2″ Hitch Tightener 3061 for $20 which is a u-bracket that reinforces the connection so it won’t budge. Many commuter style ebikes have fenders. In that case Saris sells a wheel holder attachment to accommodate the lower contact point on your wheel for $29.99.
Weight & Hauling Capacity Breakdown
For stability-sake, weight is a factor that is helpful but can be inconvenient for different reasons. The total weight without any bikes for the Saris 2-bike MHS system is 104lbs. While that isn’t a monumental weight, it’s pretty heavy and can be very cumbersome for a smaller person to try and install onto the hitch without help.
| Carry | Base | Trays | Weight Capacity | MHS Weight w/o Bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1x Bike + Cargo | MHS 2+1 | MHS Cargo Tray + Add-on Tray | 200lbs + 35lbs | 25lbs |
| 2x Bikes | MHS 2+1 | 2x DUO 1-Bike Trays | 100lbs + 100lbs | 38+33+33 = 104lbs |
| 3x Bikes | MHS 2+1 | 2x DUO 1-Bike Trays + Add-on Tray | 80lbs + 80lbs + 35lbs | 38+33+33+30 = 134lbs |
The modular 2+1 hitch system utilizes 2x DUO 1-Bike Tray that is rated by Saris to handle up to 100lbs per bike. This is quite helpful since most, if not all electric bikes can avg around 50lbs+ and can be up to 80lbs or so depending as a general rule.
E-Bikes typically have heavy duty frames, e-bike motor, battery pack and that is before any traditional bike components are weighed in.
If you’re looking to haul 3x bikes you’ll need to purchase the optional MHS Duo 1-Bike Add-on Tray but, it’s important to remember that the Add-on tray position only allows for 35 lbs of bike weight and also reduces the weight capacity of the main 2 bike positions from 100lbs to 80lbs each. So only smaller children’s bikes or lightweight road or mtn bikes in the aft most add-on tray position.
Capacity: Supports bikes up to *100 lb when paired with MHS 2+1 base 4620.
Saris.com
*Capacity limited to 80 lb when using in conjunction with MHS add-on
Supports bikes up to 80 lb when paired with MHS 1+1 or 3+1 bases.
Our Experience
Our time with the Saris MHS 2+1 hitch rack system has been a great one so far. While nothing is perfect, the MHS is elegant and easy to use. It requires a Class III 2″ receiver hitch which is common for many leisure activities and doesn’t require any professional installation help. We used a CURT 13204 hitch receiver which is solid and relatively inexpensive on sale at $159.
Loading and unloading the bikes is very convenient with the Duo Tray system. It’s much heavier than dangling your bikes from a tree hook style hitch rack but also more secure since nothing moves.
How to Use Overview
Lift your bike in and seat the wheels against their wheel blocks. Grab 1 ratcheting arm and guide it up over the wheels till it touches, do the same with the other side; then snug them inward another click or two. For silent operation (the clicking sound can be very loud), simply squeeze the ratcheting arm handle and release to engage once it’s moved into position.
If you see the bike wheel lift off of the tray, then you know you clicked too much. Grab the release lever/arm handle and let it out a couple clicks and re-adjust so each side is even and the bike remains seated in the tray.
Also make sure to use the ratcheting rear wheel strap to stabilize because it also acts as a redundancy. (while the wheel straps may not seem like much, it HAS saved us from losing a bike on the highway with other bike racks in the past.)
Tilt Convenience
Being able to tilt the MHS away from the car for trunk access is a great feature. Be careful and mindful of the weight before you fully pull that outboard handle. It can be quite heavy with a full load of bikes. What’s good is the handle has a footing that can rest on the ground while you’re accessing the trunk area.
While the MHS system comes with locks, it isn’t completely secure from theft due to less than ideal lock design. To clarify, the MHS Base has a locking barrel so it’s locked to the hitch. The Duo Tray’s have cable locks on them so the bikes are locked to the tray. But the MHS Clasp that secures the Duo Tray to the base has nothing, and the Allen bolts are accessible. We are not engineers but it would have been better if the clasp had been designed so that some sort of lip prevented you from accessing the bolt without removing another locked piece.
When the MHS not in use you can fold the base up so it sits vertically, but the Duo Tray arms that sit closest to the car have a little play in them; they can rub against the car bumper a tiny bit unless they are tied back.
Pros:
Sturdy
Low lift/load height
Built-in cable bike locks
Modular design
Cons:
Heavy
Pricey
Can obscure your backup camera
That’s a Rack
Hauling bikes is always an issue when adventuring with the family. The Saris Modular Hitch System is a convenient way to take it all with you in style. With a Class III 2″ hitch and the Saris Modular Hitch System you can haul up to 2-3 bikes (or 3-4 depending which base and additional trays you purchase). The Saris MHS is a very nice looking rack system.
The Saris MHS makes hauling bikes easy with this modular design. It features a nice low loading height, convenient tilt for trunk access and security with built-in cable locks. Saris offers an array of accessories to mix and match, like a Cargo Tray, Brake lighting harness, even a ramp if you need one for heavier e-bikes.
Saris MHS 2+1 Modular Hitch System Bike Rack
$199.99 Saris MHS 2+1 Base
$349.99 Saris MHS DUO 1-Bike Tray
$349.99 Saris MHS DUO 1-Bike Add-On Tray
