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First Look: New and Improved 1UP USA 2024 Super Duty Double Hitch Rack

2024 1UP USA Super Duty Hitch Rack hero(Photos/Ron Frazelle)
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When I spoke to the 1UP USA crew at the Sea Otter Classic this last April, we talked about racks, bikes, and even off-roading. For those that like to go off-roading and take their mountain bikes with them, new 2″ Super Duty is perfectly suited to the task. It was built for extreme off-roading from the drawing board, and it has some new features that are worth checking out.

2024 1UP USA Super Duty Hitch Rack Haro mounted
(Photos/Ron Frazelle)

First Impressions

2024 1UP USA Super Duty Hitch Rack beefed up load arms

My immediate impression when I saw the Super Duty up close was that it was very beefy. But, it’s rated for “extreme off-roading”, so naturally, it is beefed up where it needs to be. I don’t rock crawl in my Jeep, but the way the Super Duty is built, it looks like it could take it without a problem.

The rack is constructed from corrosion-resistant aluminum, which is used for the entirety of the build. I didn’t see any plastic being used. As usual, the rack supports bicycles without any contact with the frame or fork, using the load arms on the bike tires.

The new Super Duty has an adjustable tray length for bikes with a wheelbase up to 58″. It also has more spacing between the trays which adds extra room for wide downtubes and flat pedals.

Neat New Features

2024 1UP USA Super Duty Hitch Rack wheel chock

Optional Wheel Chock

One of my pet peeves with some tray-style racks is the continuous movement of the front wheel through the steerer tube, even when the bike is “locked and loaded”. This phenomenon worsens as the bike gets heavier or the road gets rougher. These instances are where the Wheel Chock comes in.

2024 1UP USA Super Duty Hitch Rack ratchets for the wheel chock
Glide for the Wheel Chock

The Wheel Chock was designed to reduce the amount of steerer tube rotation you get making the bike more stable while on the rack. 1UP states that the wheel chocks are required for bikes over 75lbs, or intense off-roading. However, anyone can use them under any circumstance if they’d prefer a more stable bike connection.

There are two different sizes of the Wheel Chock, Standard (fits tires up to 3″ wide) and Fat Tire (fits tires from 3″ to 5″). They are all aluminum and are sold separately for $110 each. That means if you have a two bike rack and wanted Wheel Chocks on both, it would be $220. Also, the Chocks are specific to wheel size so if you want to run both standard and fat bikes on the same rack with Chocks, you’d need to buy two sets.

True One-Handed Operation

2024 1UP USA Super Duty Hitch Rack release button close up
Press the button to operate the load arms

A welcome addition to the 2024 SD Rack is the addition of true one-handed operation of the rack. there are two ways to actuate the arms of the rack. If you want to use two hands to open the rack, just press the red button, lift the arm, load the bike, and adjust it to familiar ratcheting as you close the arms onto your tires.

If you’d like to use one hand on the rack and one to hold your bike, simply press the red button while lifting the button housing. This eliminates the ratcheting aspect and you can move the arm in any direction you see fit. Freeing one hand to do whatever.

To re-engage the ratcheting, simply press the button housing back down.

Additional Options

2024 1UP USA Super Duty Hitch Rack wheel lock 2

Wheel Lock

I’m sure most of us lock our bikes to the rack when stopping for a pre-ride Clif bar, or post-ride brew. And some integrated locks are better than others. I would say that the 1Up USA Wheel Lock 1/4 Turn (long), is more of a deterrent than a full-blown lock. I like that it doesn’t come in contact with the bike in any way – if you have a bike rack with an integrated cable lock, it’s not a good idea to drive with it locked since it can rub through the paint on your bikes (or worse).

2024 1UP USA Super Duty Hitch Rack wheel lock

But, when I stop for longer periods with my bike on the Jeep, I usually have it in sight. So, I’m very comfortable with this level of defense. 1UP USA states that most users run one lock per bike, though in higher crime areas, two isn’t a bad idea. The locks are $24 each, but if you buy more than one, you’ll get a 15% discount.

For additional protection, 1UP USA does offer higher levels of security with the Chain Lock and Cable Lock.

Installation

The assembly of the rack was very easy, and straightforward. It can be done without even reading the directions, although complete and easy-to-follow directions are included.

2024 1UP USA Super Duty Hitch Rack on the swing

I have a Jeep Wrangler and I need a swing adapter of some sort to be able to access the rear of the vehicle. For that, I am using the Rig’d Supply RambleSwing, you may have read my review of that here. It’s an outstanding product and blends perfectly with the Super Duty Rack.

One of the highlights of using 1UP Racks is their proprietary, integrated anti-wobble corner expander ball. The simplicity of it and the ease of use and installation make it better than most systems I’ve tried. It comes with two proprietary security wrenches, one I keep in my shop, and one in the Jeep.

2024 1UP USA Super Duty Hitch Rack mounted

Also, the actual hitch bar has a 3″ long slot machined into the side of it. This means that you have up to three inches of fore and aft adjustability when using the included hitch bar lock.

In Use

As tested, the 1UP USA Super Duty two-bike rack with all the accessories would run $1,259.80 with free ground shipping – the rack starts at $900 for the two-bike version. This is a premium rack, with a price to match.

I’ve been up and down the mountain with it since installing the Super Duty two weeks ago. It’s easy to use, and the new features are a very welcome addition to the rack. I have yet to take it off-road but will be doing so soon.

When driving with a bike on the rack, even in strong wind, the bike didn’t move. The Wheel Chock makes a huge and very noticeable difference to the front wheel movement. When using the chock, front wheel movement was not even noticeable from the driver seat. It’s just unfortunate that it’s a $220 option for a two-bike rack.

2024 1UP USA Super Duty Hitch Rack hero
(Photos/Ron Frazelle)

So far, mountain bikes load on and off with ease, and the Wheel Chock is the perfect size to hold 2.6″ tires. I will be mounting the Salsa Moraine eMTB for a trip. That bike weighs in the neighborhood of 53lbs. But, with the Super Duty’s tray weight capacity at 100 lbs per tray, this shouldn’t be an issue.

Looking forward to reporting back in a few months with my opinion after putting some serious mileage on the rack. Stay tuned here for the details.

1up-USA.com

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Eggs Benedict
Eggs Benedict
4 months ago

Looks like a fastener nightmare.

tickle
tickle
4 months ago

The problem with 1Up racks(for 1UP) is they are made so well they will last you a lifetime, I spent around $500 on 2 rack setup 11 years ago and mine is still going strong just lube a few spots and tighten a few bolts every couple years.

Grillis
Grillis
4 months ago
Reply to  tickle

Same here, although I’ve never had to tighten anything.

Collin S
4 months ago
Reply to  tickle

I think I’m on year nine of my rack. For the first 6 or so years, I never took it off even in winter (Michigan Salt) and ALMOST everything was fine. The problem was when I went to sell my car, I went to remove it and the ball retention thing had seized and I couldn’t get it out. I eventually just bought a new T assembly for $70 and left the old one on the car for the next person to deal with. Since then I only have it on my car when I need it so it goes on and off maybe once a week. It takes less than 30 seconds to install so its no big deal, plus I can go through car washes with it off.

Patrick
Patrick
4 months ago

I have one of these with just a few uses so far. Just some initial thoughts:

That front wheel movement is really something. It’s just been a road bike and a gravel bike with MTB tires so far, so not sure what my MTB or fat bike would do. Hopefully it’s just a visual thing and I’ll get used to it.

I wish re-engaging the ratchet was more definitive with a click or something. The second time I used the rack, it was not actually re-engaged and the arm slid open after the bike was pushed from the other side. Easy enough to catch before driving away though.

One-handed operation is a stretch. You still need to push the arm in while pushing down the red button on the ratchet. Then you can disengage and slide it with one hand after. You can disengage and then pull the arm up (then reach back down to re-engage) with one hand though.

Maybe it’s an issue with all their racks, but the EZ Pull handle rattles like crazy in the upright position. It’s probably the loudest at idle. There should be something like a nylon shoulder washer included in that assembly to go over the rods and between the plate. 1Up acknowledged it’s an issue and suggested electrical tape. I just spent $2200 on a 4 place rack and a a handful of locks and I have to wrap tape around parts to keep the rack from rattling at a surprisingly high volume? It’s not very EZ either, but maybe it will break in a bit.

Patrick
Patrick
4 months ago
Reply to  Patrick

Turns out one of the ratchets was broken right out of the box. The other 7 definitely have a click and stay closed. That was the issue with the one I complained about. Hoping 1up replaces it.

Gasman
Gasman
4 months ago

Had this rack a month, it’s definitely beefy and can hande abuse. The changes are overdue IMO, was never a fan of the original rack. The wheel chocks work great when using behind a 5th wheel, have a camera and bikes are rock solid now.

My only beef is they give you regular allen head bolts for the trays. For the cost could at least use a tamper resistant head bolt. They sell the locking bolts which is fine but annoying not to provide basic security bolts.

Andrew
Andrew
4 months ago

1Up makes what appears to be an identical product to the Rig’d Rambleswing that is $260 cheaper.

GeoL
GeoL
4 months ago

These things are being stolen right and left on the west coast, then posted up on CL. They should work on making them more secure on the vehicle.

Patrick
Patrick
4 months ago
Reply to  GeoL

I think they should offer an engraving service. If it’s truly built for life, somebody shouldn’t mind their name and contact info on the base unit and each tray.

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