First impressions. This new rack is super solid !
There are so many better design differences over my V1.
The EzRFS tilting system makes loading much easier, my tow hitch sits 650mm off the ground so bikes need to be lifted around 300-400mm higher than a normal car to get them on the rack in the first place.
* Wheel baskets are so solid compared to the single sided baskets. Now rated for eeb's.
* Hitch stabiliser is redesigned with a BIG f%#k off bolt now doing the tightening work, so less chance of a stripped bolt.
* Black powdercoat is sweet job (thought time will tell and I know powder always looks good when fresh and new)
* Rope ratchets are really nice, much more secure than bouncing around on bungee cords over bumps.
* EzRFS tilting brings the rack down to 50°-60° tilt to aid loading. On a normal height vehicle you can push the bike up on the rear wheel and roll it on. Still a little bit high for me to roll-up but a small lift gets it up there.
* Pivot tilting is a really easy and smooth action, tilt pedal is also free and easy.
* Number plate board is designed to bungee around the rear wheels of 2 of the bikes and clearly display the plate. Then easily fixed to the rack when travelling empty. I did fit rubber edging to the plate board to stop it rubbing on the rack, this allows it to sit off the powder and will stop it moving and rubbing.
* The rack now has a locking hole right through the rack, so if you were say... travelling around Tassie with 120kg of eeb's on the rack, you can pin/lock the rack in the fully upright position rather than relying on the single lock mechanism.
**Bonus, gets a really nice decal set now with the Aussie made green triangle.
As you could expect with something that is beefed up and super solid, there is an increased weight, I don't know exactly but I would say this rack is around 10kg heavier than my old one.
Still fitted it to the car myself by tilting it right down and sliding the hitch in, I wouldn't really like to try and do it with the hitch in the upright position of ~90°... actually even doing the old one in this manner was risking a back injury.
For me it was definitely worth the upgrade from the V1.
