Kuat Transfer V2 Review

The Transfer V2 is Kuat's entry-level hitch rack, and in many ways it doesn't feel like a Kuat rack. We've tested every rack Kuat has made over the years and have always found them high-quality and refined-feeling. The Transfer lacks the impressive appearance of the other racks, but it delivers the impressive functionality we've come to expect from the brand.

The original Transfer V1 rack was built from steel, and while it weighed more, it had a much lower weight capacity and no integrated bike lock. The V2 rack is made from aluminum and can hold 60 pounds per tray. So how does it work?

Ease of Everyday Use

The Transfer V2 feels like a frill-free, get-it-done kind of rack. You can leave the rack permanently attached to your vehicle or remove and reinstall with minimal headache. The rack has a foot pedal-activated tilt that lets you access your trunk, hatchback, or rear doors when installed.

When you're not hauling bikes, the Transfer folds close to the vehicle and doesn't impede any of the rear-view cameras our test vehicles used. This is a positive upside of using a two-bar rack instead of one with a central mast.

To load bikes, simply deploy the rack with its foot pedal and open the wheel-hold arms. If you also undo the straps on the rear wheel baskets, the loading process feels less cumbersome. The Transfer has a fairly low loading height, but that also depends on the height of the hitch you're mounting it to. Lift the bike into position, push down on the ratcheting wheel hold arm, and secure the rear wheel with the built-in ratchet strap. That's all.

The Transfer isn't compatible with a loading ramp, but it can hold up to 60 pounds per tray. If you're planning to carry a heavy ebike, removing the battery prior to loading makes the process much easier. You can fold the rack down with bikes loaded, but it takes some dexterity. You need to undo the safety and press the foot pedal from beneath the rack, without smashing your leg in the process. A firm grip on the rack or a helping hand makes the process smoother.

The tilt feature is crucial for a modern hitch rack, and the Transfer kinda gets it. While it tilts, the stop angle wasn't far enough to give our test vehicles much access, especially those with longer hatchbacks.

Ease of Removal and Storage

At just under 42 pounds, the Transfer isn't the lightest rack in our test, but it's relatively easy to carry once removed from the hitch. The 2" hitch rack uses Kuat's FlatLock Hitch Cam, the same ingenious system used on other higher-end Kuat racks, and it creates a solid connection between the rack and hitch that minimizes wobble. The 1.25" version uses a ball cam that works almost as well. The Transfer does not include a locking hitch pin, which isn't great for security but makes removal and installation a bit quicker; just don't lose the security wrench.

Once off your car, the rack does not hold itself upright. So it either lies flat on the floor, with a 38" x 47" footprint, or leans against a wall for a more modest 18" x 47" footprint. The fact that it doesn't stand up unassisted is a pain for storage and led to the rack falling over multiple times as it moved between garages and our warehouse. If you leave the rack extended, it's less than 12" tall lying flat, so storing it in this configuration is also a possibility.

With the hitch mount extended, the rack can lie somewhat flat.   Credit: Joshua Hutchens

While still fairly large, you can lean the rack somewhere, but its shape isn't conducive to hanging.   Credit: Joshua Hutchens

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The rack is also too large to fit in the back of most vehicles. That isn't the most popular storage option, but we found that using the Kuat Sherpa and Thule Outpace being able to fit the rack into the trunk was quite handy.

Versatility

When we discuss and test versatility, we want to know how well the rack accommodates bikes of different sizes, weights, and wheelbases. For starters, the Transfer V2 can hold up to 60 pounds per tray on the 2-bike version with a 2" hitch. The three-bike version can hold 40 pounds per tray. If you choose the 1 1/4" hitch, the rack can hold a single 60 lb bike or two bikes at up to 40 lbs each.

The tire load arms and wheel trays hold tires up to 5" wide, so you can carry everything from road bikes to snow bikes. 29" mountain bike? No problem. Kids' bike with 18" wheels? Also, no problem. Large mountain bikes? Maybe. Newer mountain bike geometries are extending the wheelbase length of trail and enduro bikes. For instance, my size Large Santa Cruz Hightower has a wheelbase of 49.75", just 1/4" shy of the 50" maximum that this rack can handle.

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If your bike has odd-shaped or oversized tubes, the Transfer doesn't care. This rack doesn't interact with your frame at all, so as long as the wheelbase isn't too long or the bike too heavy, you can carry it. The only real limitation is carrying bikes with full front fenders. Small mountain bike fenders are fine, but if they stick out too far in front of the fork, it prevents the tire hold arm from getting a firm grip on the wheel.

Ease of Assembly

If you can assemble a piece of IKEA furniture, you can assemble the Transfer. If your eyes got big remembering the last time you were tasked with turning a flat-pack box into a condominium, know that the Transfer isn't quite IKEA-difficult, but it's more of a process than most bike racks.

We sped this video up quite a bit to capture the assembly process. Plan on spending about 30 minutes carefully reading the instructions and making sure you're using the proper (left vs. right) parts. There are a fair number of steps, but the instructions are mostly clear, and Kuat provides all the tools you need to complete the job. Pro tip: Insert the hitch into your vehicle's receiver instead of trying to wrestle this thing on the floor. It's far more comfortable and easier to work on.

Security

When it comes to rack security, we consider how securely the rack attaches to your vehicle and also how secure your bikes remain while on the rack. The Transfer offers “meh” security. The hitch pin doesn't lock the rack to your car; you can buy a locking hitch pin for $20, and for many people, we would recommend that. So what stops someone from walking away with your $550 rack? The security bolt is all that keeps your rack safe from thieves. An 8mm Allen wrench with a hole drilled in the end is about as secure as a luggage lock. Mostly, that thing is just keeping honest people honest.

Once your bikes are loaded on the rack, you can use the included cable to loop around your hitch and lock your bikes with the cable terminating at the end of the rack. The 8-foot cable is 10mm in diameter, and if you've seen our bike lock review, you know that provides about 2 seconds of theft deterrence. We loved that it integrates into the rack, but the security level doesn't make us feel comfortable leaving bikes unwatched.

Not everyone needs a “secure” rack, but thieves lurk in strange places. To improve this rack's security, we recommend purchasing a locking hitch pin. If you buy it from Kuat for $29, you can match the lock core to your rack's key. Also, adding an extra chain or U-lock would add a layer of security that would make us feel more comfortable leaving the bikes on the rack out of sight.

Durability

While we didn't experience durability issues with the Transfers during testing, this rack seems better suited for seasonal or occasional use than a permanent fixture on the outside of your vehicle. The Transfer's extensive use of plastic makes it susceptible to UV degradation and freeze-thaw cycles that may accelerate its wear.

Our testers all agreed that the Transfer doesn't feel like a Kuat rack. Maybe this is what you get when a maker of premium products makes a budget-friendly option. This isn't necessarily a bad thing because the rack still delivers solid performance in many ways but doesn't have the quality and durability we've come to associate with the brand. If you're shopping for a rack you'll use occasionally and don't plan to get a heavy ebike, the Transfer is a pretty solid option. The hitch mount and frame are solid components, and we have no reservations about how they'll hold up, but the wheel trays and wheel arms give us pause.

Should I buy the Kuat Transfer V2?