Can Swing-Away Bike Rack be Used With Hitch Adapter on 2015 Subaru Outback With 1-1/4" Hitch
Question:
Hi - my 2015 outback has the factory 1.25 inch hitch and Im looking at swing away bike racks, which are mostly designed for 2 inch receivers. Id prefer not too have to swap out the factory hitch with an aftermarket 2 inch hitch... can I just buy a 1.25 inch to 2 inch adapter for the swing away bike racks? Thanks!
asked by: Chad
Helpful Expert Reply:
The issue with using a 1-1/4" to 2" adapter for a swing-away bike rack on your 2015 Subaru Outback is that it cuts the capacity of your hitch in half. According to my research, the OEM hitch on a '15 Outback is a Class I hitch with a 200 lb tongue weight. That means you would need the Hitch Adapter 1-1/4" to 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver # HTAD, which weighs 5 lbs, giving you a total of 95 lbs to carry a swing-away bike rack and your bikes.
The lightest swing-away that can be used with an adapter is the Thule Apex Swing XT 4-Bike Rack # TH9027XT which weighs 42 lbs, so the max your four bikes could weigh is a total of 53 lbs, and even a little less if you had an alternative, women's or child's bike that required the 2 lb Bike Adapter Bar # TH982XT.
So unless you have very, very light bikes, the best solution is to replace your factory Subaru hitch with the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver # e98847.
Doing that will allow you to use any of the swing-away bike racks, the SportRack Ridge Swing 4-Bike Rack # SR2415, Yakima FullSwing 4-Bike Rack # Y02465 or Thule Apex Swing XT 4-Bike Rack # TH9027XT.
I have added links to video reviews of these racks for you to check out as well.
Products Referenced in This Question
etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class III
- 600 lbs TW
- 4000 lbs GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- Visible Cross Tube
- etrailer
more information >
Hitch Adapter 1-1/4" to 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver
- Hitch Adapters
- Hitch Expander
- Bike Racks
- Cargo Carriers
- Hitch Mounted Accessories
- 7-1/4 Inch Extension
- Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- 1-1/4 Inch to 2 Inch
- Brophy
more information >
Thule Apex Swing XT Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Swing Away
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Hanging Rack
- Folding Rack
- Swing-Away Rack
- Frame Mount
- Bike and Hitch Lock
- 4 Bikes
- Class 3
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Thule
more information >
Thule Bike Adapter Bar for Women's and Alternative Frame Bikes
- Accessories and Parts
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Spare Tire Bike Racks
- Trunk Bike Racks
- Adapter Bar
- Frame
- 16 - 31-1/2 Inch Long
- Thule
more information >
Yakima FullSwing Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Swing Away
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Hanging Rack
- Folding Rack
- Swing-Away Rack
- Frame Mount
- Bike and Hitch Lock
- 4 Bikes
- Class 3
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Yakima
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
SportRack Ridge Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Swing Away
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Hanging Rack
- Swing-Away Rack
- Frame Mount
- Locks Not Included
- 4 Bikes
- Class 3
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- SportRack
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
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