Swinging Hitch Mount Bike Rack Fit On 2011 Mercedes GL450

Question:

Can we use a Curt Receiver Tube Extender to Curt hitch to install Yakima full swing bike rack? Based on the LBSs advice, we opted to have the local U-haul installed a Curt Custom Fit Class III Receiver Hitch Model# 13102 last night. Then, we installed our beautiful Yakima Full Swing just purchased. It was installed alright and swing beautifully. However, the distance is almost none between the bumper and a knob to loosen it up prior to a full-swing. The knob is almost touching the bumper area metal and although we could make it work, I do not feel right about it. I called Yakima to ask if using a tube extender would cause any safety issues? They do not recommend it and I could not get any further advice, other than, Yakima Fullswing is not for our car and we should return it ! Could you offer any advise? I saw you sell a Curt extender 2 which might solve our problem. We want to make sure using an extender wont compromise the capacity of the rack 4 bikes or cause any safety issue. Thank you so much.

asked by: Yakima F

Expert Reply:

I would not recommend using a hitch extender with your FullSwing bike rack either. Normally an inch of clearance between the rearmost point of the rack and your vehicle is still a safe amount of space. We test fit the Yakima FullSwing # Y02465 on a 2013 Ford Escape that has 1-1/2 inches of clearance at the back. I have attached the review video on the Escape for you.

There are a couple of reasons why I would not recommend using a hitch extender for your bike rack. A hitch extender won't reduce the weight capacity of the bike rack, but it will reduce your trailer hitch's overall capacity by 50 percent. This means the 350 pound tongue weigh capacity of your trailer hitch is limited to 175 pounds when using an extender. The FullSwing bike rack weighs 56 pounds, meaning your bikes could weigh no more than 119 pounds in order to comply with the tongue weight capacity.

Using a hitch extender with a bike rack would cause a lot of movement. The weight of the rack being extended beyond the hitch receiver by the hitch extender causes the weight to carry further back than the hitch and rack are designed for. This extension of the weight decreases the stability of the bike rack.

Regardless if you use a hitch extender or not, your Curt trailer hitch # C13102 requires the use of support straps when carrying a non-trailer load. The installation instructions say that if support straps are not used when carrying an accessory, such as a bike rack or cargo carrier, the trailer hitch's warranty will be voided. If you do not have support straps, you can use part # 18050.

I wish I had a better answer for you, but unfortunately I do not think using a hitch extender would be the best solution for your situation.

If you are looking for a swinging bike rack that will provide you with a bit more room between the carrier and your vehicle's bumper, I recommend the Thule Apex Swing 4 Bike Rack # TH9027XT. This bike rack offers 7 inches from the center of the hitch pin hole to the knob on foot of the bike carrier. This will provide you with a few more inches clearance than the FullSwing offers.