Data to inform Beyond's hitch vs. roof rack debate

[FixedGear]

I live in a mountain resort town in the Colorado Rockies where people know their stuff when it comes to outdoor activities. I drove into town today, and decided to count the number of aftermarket roof and hitch racks that I saw, as well as what they were carrying. Here are the results:

roof racks: 59
hitch racks: 13

5 of the vehicles had both roof and hitch racks. If we exclude those, we have 54:8, showing that in practice among those that count, roof racks are about 8 times more common than hitch racks. That's huge.

The only cargo I saw on hitch racks was bicycles, whereas roof racks were carrying kayaks, bikes, cargo boxes, one ladder, a surfboard looking thing (?), and multiple other things I couldn't readily identify.

These data show that roof racks are far more common and versatile than hitch racks. This is interesting as it contrasts strongly with previous threads on Beyond purporting that hitch racks are superior and just as versatile. These data also show that Beyond'd vocal hitch rack proponents don't know wtf they're talking about. Sure one can find a photo of hitch mounted skis, but no one in their right mind would ever consider that.

[codetrap]

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[FixedGear]

Originally posted by codetrap
Could it be your location has something to do with your data?

No, I don't think that has anything to do with it. Roof racks are definitely far more common and versatile. Remember that basically every station wagon and SUV ever produced has a roof rack as standard equipment. I can't think of a single vehicle that comes with a hitch rack as standard equipment - or even as an option for that matter.

[blitz]

Why the fuck does it matter?

[FixedGear]

Originally posted by blitz
Why the fuck does it matter?

great contribution, thanks!

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by blitz
Why the fuck does it matter?

Because he's all pissy that everyone said roofmounts were for hipsters and the hella flush scene in Mar's thread.

[codetrap]

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[Redlyne_mr2]

Roof racks for skis , kayaks, or expedition use.

hitch racks for bikes

There is no doubt that the hitch mounted, platform style bike racks are better and more convenient.

The roof racks for bikes looks way better but is a huge pain in the ass and isn't versatile hence why only the hipster hella flush kids run roof racks. The bikes leave the roof twice in the summer lol.

Of course roof racks are more common, there are more uses for them and the cost is significantly cheaper. They also fit on almost any vehicle where hitches won't go on everything.

What is this thread trying to prove?

[FixedGear]

The data don't lie, roof racks are more common and versatile. I don't think the data have anything to do with location, but you're welcome to collect your own data if you like. The benefit of my location though is that roughly 50% of vehicles have racks.

[FixedGear]

Originally posted by Redlyne_mr2


What is this thread trying to prove?

I said in another thread that roof racks are more common and versatile, arguments ensued with photos of hitch ski racks etc. This is just solid empirical data to support my statement.

[NoPulp]

I think factory roof racks are more common than hitches typically. However, none of this actually matters. It has more to do with the person, vehicle or whatever was cost effective/ included with their vehicle. Both options are practical and ugly. Pickup ftw, 'berta.

[Redlyne_mr2]

Originally posted by FixedGear


I said in another thread that roof racks are more common and versatile, arguments ensued with photos of hitch ski racks etc. This is just solid empirical data to support my statement.

You're 100% right, roof racks are more common in every which way. Whoever thinks hitch racks are more common is wrong.. I thought this was common sense.

[FixedGear]

Originally posted by Redlyne_mr2


You're 100% right, roof racks are more common in every which way. Whoever thinks hitch racks are more common is wrong.. I thought this was common sense.

That's what I thought too, yet there were multiple people wanting to argue about it... But now I'm the one being called "pissy". Typical beyond

[GTS4tw]

Originally posted by FixedGear
The data don't lie, roof racks are more common and versatile. I don't think the data have anything to do with location, but you're welcome to collect your own data if you like. The benefit of my location though is that roughly 50% of vehicles have racks.

Most people are stupid, does this data support that? I think it does.

I thought the argument was which one was more trendy and "hipster", not which are there more of, but what do I know.

[FixedGear]

^the people here are certainly not stupid.

[blitz]

Originally posted by FixedGear


great contribution, thanks!

NP, it was such an awesome thread to begin with.

If we're going to go with popular public opinion as the definition of what's better, fast food is the best food and walmart is the best place to shop.


But in reality, I just think it's pretty sad you took the time to count

[firebane]

So of those 59 roof racks how many carried bikes? And how many were other equipment?

Where is that data?

[speedog]

Originally posted by blitz


NP, it was such an awesome thread to begin with.

If we're going to go with popular public opinion as the definition of what's better, fast food is the best food and walmart is the best place to shop.


But in reality, I just think it's pretty sad you took the time to count

No, it's sad that he created a thread to try and prove his point from another thread.

Counting shit, hell, I used to count all sorts of things in my regular commutes - how many lights were out on Deerfoot, how many lights I'd hit green, how many vehicles I'd see in uncommon colours (purple, orange, yellow, green). Lately it was bridge numbers and trying to figure out the pattern to the numbering scheme, which there is.

[FixedGear]

I'm a scientist, I basically spend all of my time quantifying things to test ideas. I'm sorry if that offends anyone, but it's what i do, so take it or leave it.

[FixedGear]

Originally posted by firebane
So of those 59 roof racks how many carried bikes? And how many were other equipment?

Where is that data?

I wasn't able to collect those data unfortunately, as I was driving and just tallying roof vs. hitch racks. The cargo data is anecdotal - I'd be interested in getting the other data, but wasn't able to. I invite anyone else to collect data though.