What 2-Bike Carrier for 2005 Toyota Highlander Without a Trailer Hitch

Question

Question:

I want to purchase a 2 bike carrier for my Toyota 2005 Highlander but I dont think my model came with a hitch,what do you advice?

asked by: Mogotu

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Expert Reply:

Your 2005 Toyota Highlander can be equipped with a trunk-mount bike carrier, or if you choose to install a trailer hitch receiver, a hitch-mount carrier. Since you are transporting only two bikes either type will work fine.

Trunk-mount 2-bike hanging carriers can be seen using the link provided. The excellent Thule OutWay, part # TH45JV is the easiest to install and includes locks for both the carrier and your bikes. It folds up when not in use and can transport 2 bikes of up to 33-lbs each. If you prefer an economical basic carrier Hollywood Racks offers their Expedition, part # HRF6-2. This cost-effective carrier does not include locks but does it still has the anti-sway feature that keeps the bikes stable during transport.

You may want to consider whether you might ever want to use another hitch-mount item, such as a cargo carrier, or to tow a trailer of any sort. If either of these is a possibility then the investment in a trailer hitch receiver might be your best bet. In addition to this flexibility a hitch bike carrier avoids interference with your rear wiper (which cannot be used with a trunk-mount carrier in place). I have provided a link to our page for 2-inch trailer hitch receivers for your Highlander; three hitches are available and all install without drilling using their supplied hardware. I recommend the Draw-Tite Hitch # 75153 for its substantial 350-lb tongue weight capacity which will easily handle the weight of a carrier and your bikes.

The 2-inch Hitch-mount carriers can be seen using the link provided. At the top of the page you can select the type you prefer, either hanging or platform, and using the filters at the left side of the page you can narrow the products to those with the features you most prefer. Thule offers the DoubleTrack Pro XT, part # TH92BJ, which also includes locks for both the rack and your bikes.

I have included two articles concerning bike carriers that will be a good place to start. These might help you decide in which direction to go (trunk- or hitch-mount) as well as your preferences for other features.

expert reply by: Adam R

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Answer 1

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 2

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 3

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 4

Yes, we do. To add a hitch to your 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, I recommend the Curt Trailer Hitch item #C26VV. This hitch is custom fit and bolts to your Toyota with included hardware. This is a class III hitch with a 2" receiver. It has…

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Answer 5

Class I and Class II hitches both have a 1-1/4 inch receiver opening. The difference is that a Class I hitch has a lower tongue weight rating, usually 200 pounds and a lower towing rating, usually 2,000 pounds. A Class II hitch usually has a tongue…

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Answer 6

I did some checking and the hub/drum we offer that will work for you is the part #8-430-5UC3. This uses the same bearings as the 8-415 and will be an exact fit aside from the fact this is a non-ABS setup and the 8-415 came in an ABS setup and non-ABS…

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Answer 7

To replace your NOK AD2527E seal you can use #168233. It has an inner diameter of 1.688 inches and an outer diameter of 2.332 inches. Based on what I could find on the NOK AD2527E the inner diameter is the same and the outer diameter is 2.328 inches.…

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Answer 8

Lance does have a proprietary plug, but many customers see a standard 6-way or 7-way round and notice it doesn't fit their factory 7-way as well. I've attached an article to help if you have one of the 7-way or 6-way round connectors which we…

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Answer 9

Since your 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander doesn't come with the factory tow package you need the Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness #C79VV. The module plugs into that 10-Pin connector you found under the cup holder and then the 4-Way harness…

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