Trailer Hitch Mount Bike Rack Recommendation for a Subaru XV Crosstrek with OEM Hitch
Question:
I read on a forum where a person had an OEM Subaru Crosstrek hitch and bought the Kuat rack. He was displeased in that the anti-sway was outside of the hitch and was unable to draw tight the rack. As you can see from the attached pic, the pinhole is very near the end of the OEM hitch. Because of this, I believe I will avoid the Kuat unless you advise otherwise. Your web site photos are EXCELLENT in guiding me in that regard. I thank you. So I am considering the Thule 9045. It would seem that would work well. Could you look at the pics and advise re: the Kuat NV2 and the Thule 9045? Thanks!
asked by: Roger
Expert Reply:
The newer OEM Subaru hitch is a bit of an oddity. Because that pin hole is so close to the end of the receiver, that means that very little of the bike rack shank will be inside of the hitch. That will produce a lot of stress on the hitch and bike rack shank. Thule was actually the company that brought it to our attention and asked us what we thought they should do. Subaru did not think too much about accessories when designing this hitch and I am not comfortable with any bike rack with that particular hitch.
In regards to the Kuat rack, the anti-rattle device used in it is external and there is a sort of trick to getting it tight enough. Turning the knob is not enough. You have to kind of wiggle the rack left and right, up and down while turning the knob to eliminate the play. If you do that then it will be plenty tight. There are several bike racks that work the same way and it seems to work on all of them.
If you want to keep the OEM hitch then I recommend going with the lightest 2-bike rack that you can. The Kuat Beta, # B202-114, is the lightest option we carry at 12-3/5 pounds. I am still hesitant to say that you will not have any problems though.
I recommend replacing the factory hitch with a proper hitch. You could use # C11286 for a Class I or # C13135 for a Class III with a 2 inch receiver. Either of these hitches require the use of stabilization strap # 18050 for Curts warranty requirements. If you go with the Class I just make sure that any accessories you choose are Class I compatible (the bike racks listed above are). If you go Class III then make sure the accessory fits a 2 inch receiver.
For a bike rack that fits a 2 inch receiver and holds 2 bikes the Thule T2 Pro XTR, # TH83JV, would be a great choice. It is like the # TH9045 that you referenced except it fits a 2 inch hitch and can carry 2 bikes. The 4-bike rack like this the the # TH83JV.
Products Referenced in This Question
Curt Cam Buckle Stabilizing Strap for Hitch-Mounted Accessories - 61" x 1" - Qty 1
- Accessories and Parts
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Hitch Cargo Carrier
- Tie Down Straps
- CURT
more information >
Kuat Beta Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Tilting
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Hanging Rack
- Folding Rack
- Tilt-Away Rack
- Frame Mount
- Locks Not Included
- 2 Bikes
- Class 1
- Class 2
- Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Kuat
more information >
Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class I
- 200 lbs TW
- 2000 lbs GTW
- 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Visible Cross Tube
- CURT
more information >
Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class III
- 525 lbs TW
- 3500 lbs GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- Visible Cross Tube
- CURT
more information >
Thule T2 Pro XTR Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Platform Rack
- Tilt-Away Rack
- Wheel Mount
- Bike and Hitch Lock
- 4 Bikes
- Class 3
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Carbon Fiber Bikes
- Fat Bikes
- Thule
more information >
Thule T2 Pro XTR Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Platform Rack
- Tilt-Away Rack
- Wheel Mount
- Bike and Hitch Lock
- 2 Bikes
- Class 3
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Carbon Fiber Bikes
- Electric Bikes
- Fat Bikes
- Heavy Bikes
- Thule
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Thule T2 Classic Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Wheel Mount
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Platform Rack
- Folding Rack
- Tilt-Away Rack
- Wheel Mount
- Hitch Lock
- 2 Bikes
- Class 1
- Class 2
- Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Carbon Fiber Bikes
- Electric Bikes
- Fat Bikes
- Heavy Bikes
- Thule
more information >
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