Recommended Platform Style Bike Rack for Carrying Adult and Childs Bike on Toyota Highlander

Question:

I recently bought a Thule T2 pro XT rack second hand 1.25” hitch. Although it was a good value and name it doesn’t work for me. I have a Highlander with a 2” hitch. It’s heavy to remove, wobbles with the 2” adapter, sticks out really far 8” from bumper, and doesn’t accommodate a Child size bike. My requirements have refined a bit since this purchase. Which bike rack is a lower cost, 2” hitch mount and will handle a woman’s bike and child’s bike, as well as a tilt feature so I can open the back of the car without unloading it. I was going with the platform because of the women’s bike frame but didn’t account for the small size of a child’s bike with it. Thanks for your help.

asked by: JoAnna H

Expert Reply:

The best rack for you will depend on why your child's bike wasn't working. Was it a matter of the wheelbase being too short, the wheels themselves being too small in diameter, or for some other reason?

To avoid the wobbling and bouncing you are experiencing, you'll want to go with a rack designed for a 2 inch hitch so no separate adapter will be needed. The Curt 2 Bike Platform Rack - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount - Tilting # C18085 would be an excellent choice. The rack includes a sleeve that allows the rack to be used in a 1-1/4 or a 2 inch rack, without a separate adapter that causes bounce and moves the rack further away from the vehicle. The wheel hoops are adjustable to accommodate the smaller wheelbase of a child's bike. The rack is reasonably priced, and weighs around 46 lbs.

I've linked you to a product description video showing the rack being used.

expert reply by: Mike L