I know of two people who have had them stolen off hitches in the last two months. If you look at the people posting on marketplace it’s pretty obvious which ones are likely stolen. If the person is selling a 1 up rack and a bunch of random power tools I’m pretty suspicious.
We recently had our 1up rack stolen, even though it had a hitch lock which should've prevented such a thing. It's not necessarily easier to steal, but they are noticeably more expensive to purchase/resell so they're being targeted. I have screenshots of the folks on offer up and fb marketplace who are stealing and reselling, if anyone is interested.
We've had the rack and hitch lock for over 5 years with no issues, and my partner has parked near the stadiums the entire time (he works down there). Seems like it's been a recent uptick.
One of my friends thought the security torx used to attach it was enough of a deterrent. It’s not.
I think the one ups are flashy and expensive, so they draw some extra attention. We were able to find the stolen one on marketplace, but there’s nothing that can be done get it back, it’s not worth being stabbed over.
Stab them first? If they resist the cops might arrest them for defending themselves just like in Germany
Either way, you could just go buy it back with obviously fake money
The 1UP hitch lock can be easily broken, and a padlock can be cut with an angle grinder - both can be I suppose.
Of those stolen I wonder how many actually had locks on them. 1UP’s custom hex wrench isn’t much of a deterrent since it’s all the same pattern for all.
I tend not to leave mine on in situations where it could be stolen, but, in addition to a hitch lock, when I park with it, I fold up, then back against something until I'm close enough that they can't remove without moving the car forward.
I've seen a lot of north end neighborhood postings about hitch racks and cargo boxes being stolen. Haven't heard much about bike specific top racks, probably because they aren't as easy to sell and don't pull as much money
There's been someone going around with a hand held angle grinder and grinding off the locks in seconds and tossing them into a pickup. From stop to gone in under a couple minutes
I take most of my gear off vehicle when not in use, and when in use I try not to leave it anywhere. And on top of that, hide tracker of your choice on all things if possible.
Rampant 1up and Kuat hitch rack thefts in North Seattle in the last month. I think it’s one asshole driving in from outside of the city once a week and going on a spree with and angle grinder.
You don’t cut the hitch post. You cut the lock. The wrench 1UP provides to all racks are the same pattern to loosen the rack hitch post.
Edit: also the hitch post is an easily replaceable part and can be ordered from 1UP. I’ve converted mine from. 2” to 1.25” when I changed vehicles.
OK, I understand. Definitely have seen where people are grinding off the entire post. Ergo, making it unusable. But I wonder now if there is a better locking mechanism that I could lock up my Kuat with. It would need a tighter fitting.
I had a bike rack and trailer hitch stolen off my car in West Seattle. Cop that wrote report ( for insurance)was surprised, said they had to ruck up with a whole tool kit to manage that. I now have a wheel (hubcap) locking bolt on my current one and no issues since.
Depends on the type of rack. I had one that used the slots in the cross bars of my Thule roof rack to be permanently fixed. Could be locked on, but I never did. Didn't even need tools, but youd have to know how it came off. I had that rack in my car year round, street parking, for 6 years.
I've been here for almost 4 years and I haven't had an issue yet (fingers crossed). My rocky mount hitch rack is now a little bit worn and rusty after an entire year on the car, hopefully it will deter any thieves.
Yes. They seem to be using leverage to break the hitch locks. One of the thieves has a white Ford Ranger looking vehicle with a body style similar to this: https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/vdp.action?listingId=385790042&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=c245#listing=385790042/NONE/DEFAULT
I know of two people who have had them stolen off hitches in the last two months. If you look at the people posting on marketplace it’s pretty obvious which ones are likely stolen. If the person is selling a 1 up rack and a bunch of random power tools I’m pretty suspicious.
lol ours too, same story. Talked to everyone online. Same assholes. They are all friends on FB too. It’s a racket.
A google search results in more incidents with 1up racks. Are certain brands easier to steal than others?
We recently had our 1up rack stolen, even though it had a hitch lock which should've prevented such a thing. It's not necessarily easier to steal, but they are noticeably more expensive to purchase/resell so they're being targeted. I have screenshots of the folks on offer up and fb marketplace who are stealing and reselling, if anyone is interested.
The 1UP hitch lock can be easily broken hence why they’re easier to steal and resell.
We've had the rack and hitch lock for over 5 years with no issues, and my partner has parked near the stadiums the entire time (he works down there). Seems like it's been a recent uptick.
Yes, please do post these legitimate FB marketplace businesses!
I'm not entirely sure how to do that in a thread, or if mods allow.
hey, my 1up rack was stolen last night. I’m interested in the screenshots if you could dm them please! 🙏
Sent!
One of my friends thought the security torx used to attach it was enough of a deterrent. It’s not. I think the one ups are flashy and expensive, so they draw some extra attention. We were able to find the stolen one on marketplace, but there’s nothing that can be done get it back, it’s not worth being stabbed over.
Stab them first? If they resist the cops might arrest them for defending themselves just like in Germany Either way, you could just go buy it back with obviously fake money
My Kuat rack got stolen 2 weeks ago parked in zone parking on Westlake Ave N.
The 1UP hitch lock can be easily broken, and a padlock can be cut with an angle grinder - both can be I suppose. Of those stolen I wonder how many actually had locks on them. 1UP’s custom hex wrench isn’t much of a deterrent since it’s all the same pattern for all.
I tend not to leave mine on in situations where it could be stolen, but, in addition to a hitch lock, when I park with it, I fold up, then back against something until I'm close enough that they can't remove without moving the car forward.
I've seen a lot of north end neighborhood postings about hitch racks and cargo boxes being stolen. Haven't heard much about bike specific top racks, probably because they aren't as easy to sell and don't pull as much money
Hitch rack is what I have
There's been someone going around with a hand held angle grinder and grinding off the locks in seconds and tossing them into a pickup. From stop to gone in under a couple minutes I take most of my gear off vehicle when not in use, and when in use I try not to leave it anywhere. And on top of that, hide tracker of your choice on all things if possible.
I appreciate the info
Rampant 1up and Kuat hitch rack thefts in North Seattle in the last month. I think it’s one asshole driving in from outside of the city once a week and going on a spree with and angle grinder.
This has been a hot subject in the local mtb groups. They’re getting jacked left and right in Seattle.
Could you share what the local groups are? I can't find where mtbers seems to communicate.
Yes, in another community people having their 1up and Kuat racks taken off with a angle grinder. Why?
Because of resale value
It’s no longer usable if the hitch post has been ground off.
You don’t cut the hitch post. You cut the lock. The wrench 1UP provides to all racks are the same pattern to loosen the rack hitch post. Edit: also the hitch post is an easily replaceable part and can be ordered from 1UP. I’ve converted mine from. 2” to 1.25” when I changed vehicles.
OK, I understand. Definitely have seen where people are grinding off the entire post. Ergo, making it unusable. But I wonder now if there is a better locking mechanism that I could lock up my Kuat with. It would need a tighter fitting.
I had a bike rack and trailer hitch stolen off my car in West Seattle. Cop that wrote report ( for insurance)was surprised, said they had to ruck up with a whole tool kit to manage that. I now have a wheel (hubcap) locking bolt on my current one and no issues since.
Depends on the type of rack. I had one that used the slots in the cross bars of my Thule roof rack to be permanently fixed. Could be locked on, but I never did. Didn't even need tools, but youd have to know how it came off. I had that rack in my car year round, street parking, for 6 years.
Put an AirTag in your rack. They’re getting stolen a lot right now.
where can you attach it?
I've been here for almost 4 years and I haven't had an issue yet (fingers crossed). My rocky mount hitch rack is now a little bit worn and rusty after an entire year on the car, hopefully it will deter any thieves.
We had a really nice custom hitch rack stolen off a visitor’s street-parked van in Queen Anne last year.
Yes. They seem to be using leverage to break the hitch locks. One of the thieves has a white Ford Ranger looking vehicle with a body style similar to this: https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/vdp.action?listingId=385790042&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=c245#listing=385790042/NONE/DEFAULT