The insulation is totally optional it just depends on how worried you are about scratches.
How to lock a bike to a car bike rack.
A hitch rack provides a good lever that can be effectively used to snap the rack or the hitch off to take the bikes and if the bikes are damaged in the process the thief just walks away leaving a mess.
Many bike racks include a locking mechanism but an additional lock is always a good idea.
While you can be sure the bikes are safely attached to the rack thieves are equally as sure that bike racks can be removed too.
Strong cable lock though a closed loop on the car the cars tie down loop eye around the bikes threaded to limit the range of twisting and lever motions meaning the racks locking mechanisms cannot be push further than they can cope with.
The several lock systems that i mentioned you should get are not just for your bikes but for your bike racks too.
You now have a bike to car lock.
Lock your bike rack to your car.
So make sure your carrier is also secured to your vehicle.
Not only does it make thieft more difficult but it a visual deterrent to bike thieves in the first place.
Check that what you are locking your bike to is strong and sturdy.
Then push one end of the cable through the front wheel pass one loop through the other loop and secure the first loop to the main lock.
This should help protect your bike your car and your carrier.
Remove anything that is removable from your bike.
Whenever possible be sure to leave your car and bike in a well lit and populated area.
From here just thread the padded chain through the trunk loop the bike carrier and your bike and padlock the ends of the chain together.
Use a u lock to lock the back tire and frame around the pole you are locking it to then lace a cable lock through the front tire onto the u lock and then lock the u lock.