Will the Draw-Tite # 24790 Work with a Thule Helium Bike Rack on a 2000 Honda CR-V

Question:

Bought a Draw-Tite and Thule Helium Aluminum 3 bike carrier from you earlier in the year for my Civic Si. Just picked up a 2000 Honda CR-V for my duaghters. Would like to add a hitch to be able to use the same carrier. Would there be clearance issues with using the bike carrier with respect to the rear mounted spare tire? Thanks for your help.

asked by: Todd F

Expert Reply:

The Draw-Tite Class I Receiver Hitch, item # 24790, would be a good choice for your 2000 Honda CR-V. You will be able to use the Thule Helium Aero Aluminum 3 Bike Carrier, item # TH9043PRO, on the CR-V as long as the measurement from the center of the hitch pin hole to the farthest out part of the spare tire is less than 14-3/8 inches. If the measurement on the CR-V is going to be longer than that the Helium rack would not fit properly.

There are other options if the Helium rack will not fit. One option would be to use a spare tire mounted bike rack. The SportRack 3 Bike Carrier, item # SR2813, will work on the CR-V. You would not need a hitch for the CR-V with this option.

Another option would be to purchase a Class III hitch like the Curt Trailer Hitch, item # 13314, and a Hitch adapter like the Hitch Adapter 2 inch to 1-1/4 inch, item # 80300. With this option you would definitely be able to mount the Helium rack on the back of the vehicle and carry up to 3 bikes as long as you stay within the reduced capacity of the lowest rated item in the system.

By reduced capacity I mean that, with the extender, the vehicles tongue weight capacity and the hitch tongue weight capacity will be reduced by 50 percent, so the bike racks and bikes can weigh no more than 1/2 of the lowest rated item in the systems tongue weight rating.