OK, while it may be sacreligous, I am retired, have one set of wheels, and would like to carry 2-4 bikes. A small hitch could accomodate a carrier. Any ideas?

Don't ban me from the forum.

 

Yeah .... just buy the hitch (1 1/4"), get a hitch rack and be done with it. I use a 1upusa rack, aluminum (ie lightweight), 2 bikes, expensive but it's the best rack out there. You can get a 4 bike rack but those require a 2" hitch which I don't think they make for the LS.

 

If you visit the website; www.sewellparts.com

You will find a lot of bike racks they have specifically for the LS430 and some other Lexus models, I have the links pasted under.
Don't forget to use your member name here when you register at the Sewell's website, that way you'll get a really good discount.


Bike racks from Sewell:
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2006/5166.html
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2006/5168.html
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2006/5167.html
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2006/5170.html
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2006/5169.html

 

Just in case you decide to go the trailer hitch route, to my knowledge, Curt is the only mnfr that makes one to fit the LS430. It is a 1 1/4". There is no 2" hitch available for our cars (to my knowledge).

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...-on-ls430.html

I actually uninstall mine during the winter months, putting it back on come Spring. As you point out, it IS rather sacreligious even putting one on an LS. But if you've got to, then better it be one that is in pristine condition rather than one all rusted and corroded out from exposure to winter weather and road salt. Whenever I don't feel like doing the install myself, I just pay my mechanic $40 to handle it.

BTW, there are 4-bike racks available for 1 1/4" hitches. Mine is one such rack - Thule.

 

Better hurry... "SewellParts.com will be closing on March 1, 2015. We thank you for your patronage and invite you to shop at our in-store Parts Departments."

 

I actually fit my bike in the trunk with the front wheel off. Another bike could have easily fit on top. But I think 2 bikes is the max.

 

Jeezus! Do you guys ride more than once every three months?! Convenience and ease of loading/unloading without f'ing up your car is PARAMOUNT in getting out to ride. Putting the bike in your trunk? Well, maybe in a pinch but not on a regular basis. Trunk-mount racks? F that. Get the hitch on your car and get a good hitch mount rack. It makes loading and unloading and, therefore, riding much easier and therefore you'll be more likely to get out. I've tried all of those things in the many years I've been mountain biking (and the roof rack is a pain in the *** as well). On a sedan, nothing is as good as a hitch rack.

 

+1 ---
those things on Sewell are hideous and will destroy your trunk. My mom had one on her ES300 and it totally messed up the paint and the trunk alignment. The hitch is the only safe way to go if you want to keep your car in decent condition.

 

Gotta agree. I've never done a roof rack, but always imagined it'd have to be a pain in the butt trying to get a bike up there and back down. Then you've got the extra step of removing/reinstalling the front wheel. I don't care if it is as simple as just popping it on/off via the quick-release, that's one extra step I don't need. Not to mention, it only takes ONE mistake to scratch up the paint on your roof with the front forks of the bike. Last thing i need when finishing up a tiring, grueling ride on a hot day is to be hoisting a bike atop my roof. No thanks.

The trailer hitch bike rack is the simplest solution, hands down.