Best Bike Rack and Trailer Hitch for Carrying 3 Bikes on a 2018 Subaru Forester

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Question:

About to buy a 2018 Forester. Will have a hitch mount installed at dealership. What class and type should I ask for? Most of the time will be using 1 or 2 bikes, but would max out at 3 Womens bike and 2 kid bikes or in future, possibly 2 womens and 1 mans. What is best rack that wont interfere too much with rear visibility esp. when no bikes are on the car and rack is folded down? And how easy or hard is it to take the rack off completely so we can maximize parking ease when not going biking for awhile?

asked by: Holly S

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Expert Reply:

To get the most out of your trailer hitch you will want a Class III hitch with a 2 inch hitch receiver like the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver # 75876 which is confirmed to fit your 2018 Subaru Forester.

This specific trailer hitch does not have a 2 bike restriction like a Class I trailer hitch would have and the 2 inch receiver will allow you to carry a wider variety of accessories than a 1-1/4 inch receiver would.

A great option for you is the RockyMounts MonoRail 3 Bike Platform Rack # RKY10004-10005. This bike rack weighs in at 63 lbs so it is definitely a bit heavier, but it uses a platform wheel mount system. This means it secures your bikes by the wheels and will not require the use of an adapter bar as it can accommodate any bikes frame type that does not have a fender. It also has bike and rack locks plus it can be folded up. The tilting feature is a little different in that you can actually leave your bikes on the bike rack when utilizing this feature.

If you have this bike rack configured for 3 bikes then it can carry 3 that weigh up to 45 lbs, but if you take the 1 bike extension off that weight limit is increased to 60 lbs per bike.

When talking about the clearance when looking behind your vehicle the Helium would most likely be the better choice. Although the MonoRail will not be visible in the carrying position, the 3rd bike carrier would probably be completely visible when you have it in the "folded" position.

I have attached some review videos on these bike racks that you can check out.

expert reply by: Jon G

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Answer 1

For a solid hitch mounted bike carrier, I recommend the Kuat Transfer V2 Bike Platform Rack, Item #KU24FR. To see if it will clear the rear spare tire of your 2011 Toyota RAV4, you will need to take some measurements. On the Transfer there is 6…

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Answer 2

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 3

I've never heard of an actual third brake light connector on a camper shell to plug in on a truck and we don't carry any parts to do that. The light generally needs to be hardwired into the truck's brake light circuit. The issue with this…

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Answer 4

You will need the Red LED Trailer Clearance or Side Marker Light #328-K-52 or Amber LED Trailer Clearance or Side Marker Light #328-K-51 for your 2018 Forest River Sunseeker motorhome. These lenses have the same Top Command SAE-AP2-16 markings on the…

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Answer 5

The old version of the #HBA-CAM used 4 wires, but the product was updated awhile back and now uses only two wires as shown in the photo on the product description page. The white wire from the HBA-CAM would tap into the white ground wire and the blue…

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Answer 6

Since you have a wheelbase/axle spacing of 38 inches the correct hanger kit for slipper springs would be the part #HAP-105-205-01. And then for a 7k trailer axle the u-bolt kit you'd want would be the part #APUBR-8. I attached the diagram to use…

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Answer 7

What you're going to need is two of the transfer switches in that case. I have attached a diagram from Furrion that shows you how you're going to need to hook the two transfer switches #F30ATS up: -one to the other, then one branching off to…

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Answer 8

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 9

A cover being installed on your spare tire would not prevent the Swagman Bike Rack part #S80501 from installing. The rack would still fit and work well. You might still compare the dimensions in the picture I attached with you spare tire so that you…

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Answer 10

Most critical to trailer tire performance and durability are 1) proper inflation 2) observance of the tire's rated load capacity and 3) observance of the tire's speed rating. If either of these factors is off the mark then the tire will tend…

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Answer 11

I wish I could say yes, but as of right now they are not a fit for the 2016 models and we do not have any other suspension enhancement options. If you are trying to fight suspension sag from the tongue weight of a trailer there is a better option. A…

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Answer 12

Based on my research, the Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 8,000-lb E-Z Lube Axles #AKHD-865-8-EZ-K will be a replacement for the 90865 Rockwell hub and drum. Both of these hub and drum assemblies are 12-1/4" diameter, have an 8,000 lb capacity,…

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Best Bike Rack and Trailer Hitch for Carrying 3 Bikes on a 2018 Subaru Forester

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