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Expert Answers about Hitch Bike Racks


  • Trunk Mount Bike Rack, Trailer Hitch, and Hitch Bike Rack Recommendations for a 2016 Toyota RAV4
  • You do not want to put any stress or weight on that spoiler at the back of your 2016 Toyota RAV4. I definitely recommend a hitch. To carry 4 bikes, I recommend trailer hitch # e98864. Then you could use a 4-bike rack such as the Hitching Post Pro # TH934XTR or the budget-friendly Curt # C18030. A hitch mount bike rack also keeps the bikes and the rack off of the vehicle unlike a trunk mount rack. I have linked some videos of the bike racks and hitch for you. If you will be carrying any...
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  • Troubleshooting Bike Rack Failure on a 2001 Volvo V70 T5 Using a Hitch Extender
  • I would not recommend using the Swagman XTC4 Bike Rack, # S64665, with your 2001 Volvo V70 T5 if it has a class I or class II trailer hitch with a 1-1/4 inch receiver. This is a pretty heavy bike rack at 65 lbs that was designed for 2 inch trailer hitch receivers only. You most likely have a 1-1/4 inch receiver, but if you have a trailer hitch with a 2 inch receiver, then I would not recommend using a hitch extender. You can determine the size of your trailer hitch receiver by measuring...
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  • Troubleshooting Bike Rack Squeaking When Installed In Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver C13409
  • There are a few things that could cause a squeaking noise when carrying your loaded bike rack on the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C13409. First if your Thule bike rack does not have an anti-rattle hitch pin the bike rack will move in the receiver which can cause a noise. You can eliminate this by installing the etrailer Anti-Rattle Hitch Stabilizer for 2" Hitches # e99007 which will secure the bike rack to the receiver. Second is to make sure that all of the straps used to secure the...
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  • What Hitch Drop Adapter Do I Need for My Rocky Mount Backstage # RKY10002?
  • Yes, you will be able to use the Roadmaster High-Low Adapter for Tow Bars - 2" Hitches # RM-048-8 for making your Rocky Mount Backstage # RKY10002 sit lower on the hitch. The only thing to keep in mind is that you will be cutting the hitch weight capacity in half. Since you have 130 pounds of bike weight and 60 pounds of weight from the Backstage, you will have a total of 190 pounds to accommodate on the hitch. Please note that the Rocky Mount Backstage is only rated for 60 pounds per-bike....
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  • Replacing A Broken Hitch Pin Bolt On The Swagman XC2 Bike Rack for 2 bikes
  • I do have a solution for you. The Replacement Threaded Hitch Pin and Clip for 1-1/4" Shanks on Swagman Bike Carriers, part # P5902, is the replacement bolt you need. The Locking Anti-Rattle, Threaded Hitch Pin for Swagman Hitch Racks, part # S64029, is also a replacement bolt for this rack. This option also comes with a lock instead of the clip. I did some research and your Swagman XC2 Bike Rack for 2 bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount, part # S64650, should still be under warranty....
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  • Bike Racks Loose Fit in Receiver Fixed with Anti-Rattle Device
  • The tolerances between a bike rack and hitch are not very close and frequently causes rattle in transit. As long as the rack is inserted fully, and a hitch pin with clip installed, you need not to worry about the bike rack coming off. However if your rack and bikes wobble a lot this could eventually cause damage to the rack or the bikes. There are solutions for this issue. I would check your bike rack and see if it has an anti-rattle device built into it. It usually looks like a large...
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  • Troubleshooting Bike Rack Hitting Driveway with etrailer Hitch Installed on 2012 Toyota RAV4
  • Thank you for your purchase of the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver # e98864 for your 2012 Toyota RAV4! The RockyMounts BackStage Bike Rack # RKY10002 is a great bike rack but it does stick out a bit further than a standard bike rack since it has that swinging arm. I have some options for you but the best thing you can do with your current setup is to enter and exit your driveway diagonally to help with that clearance. You can add a high-low adapter but these will reduce the weight capacity...
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  • Hitch Pin Hole on 3 Bike Hitch Mount Rack Wont Line Up with Hole on Hidden Hitch Receiver
  • I think that I may know what the problem is. If you are attempting to use the 3 Bike Hitch Mount Folding Rack that is not rated for a Class I hitch in a Class I, 1-1/4 inch hitch, this will not work. To keep someone from overloading a Class I hitch, manufacturers place a stopper in the back of Class I hitch receivers so that drawbars and accessory shanks can only slide into the trailer hitch opening up to that point. On hitch accessories designed for Class II trailer hitches, the shank...
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  • How to Reduce Sway of Thule Hitching Post Pro Hitch-Mount Bike Rack # TH934XTR
  • Thank you for your recent purchase of a Thule Hitching Post Pro bike rack # TH934XTR and related accessories. Any loaded hitch-mount bike rack will have some degree of movement when you're driving, even when using an anti-rattle device like the # THSTL2. You will want to ensure you tighten the threaded anti-rattle bolt both BEFORE and AFTER you load up your bikes. This will help to remove any slack. Some amount of play within the hitch tube is normal and the substantial weight of 4 bikes...
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  • What Can I Do if I Do Not Cannot Clear My Rear Bumper with the Swagman XTC4 # S64665?
  • I am so sorry about your rack not fitting! If you are having a bumper clearance issue with your Swagman XTC4 Bike Rack for 4 Bikes # S64665, the best solution is to get a hitch extender to extend the length of the XTC4's shank. For this route, I recommend the Hitch Extender For 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver 7" # HE06. The Brophy extender will give you 7 additional inches of length to clear your rear bumper of your 2021 Subaru Forester. This extender is the shortest extender that we have that...
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  • Yakima DoubleDown Bike Rack Moving Too Much in Hitch Even When No Bike is Loaded
  • In an effort to reduce movement of the hitch mounted bike rack, Yakima uses a threaded bolt to secure the shank of the DoubleDown, in the hitch receiver. When this bolt is drawn tight it forces the shank of the bike rack up against the side of the receiver. Since you state that the bike rack still moves a lot even without a bike on it, you may have a hitch that is not perfectly square and this would prevent the threaded bolt from functioning as it should. Using a shim like part # Y90205...
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  • Troubleshooting Hitch Lock on SportRack SR2415 and a 2017 Toyota Tacoma
  • The SportRack Ridge Swing 4 Bike Rack # SR2415 has the Anti-Rattle Hitch Lock for SportRack Bike Racks and Cargo Carriers - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches # SR0901 as you referenced as a related part. I have not heard about this not working on this rack before and that is the longest locking pin available for that rack, which makes me wonder if your trailer hitch receiver is uniquely wide. If so, you may want to consider using an adapter for the rack like Hitch Extender for 2" Trailer Hitches...
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  • Thule T2 Classic Bike Rack Sways When Bikes are not Attached
  • There will always be a little sway on a hitch bike rack, but there are a couple of things you can do to minimize it. First, with a bike rack like the Thule T2 Pro XTR, part # TH69TX, you have the option to fold the rack up when it isn't loaded. I recommend doing this if you aren't already as the shorter the extension from the vehicle to the end of the rack, the less drastic the sway. I've included a video review of this rack. Second, just as you mentioned in your question, the anti-rattle...
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  • What To Do If A Swagman Bike Rack Fits Loosely In The Trailer Hitch Receiver And Has Wobble
  • I understand your concern and annoyance with the Swagman Original - 3 Bike Rack # S64152-2 fitting loosely in the hitch receiver and causing bounce/wobble. This can happen due to the fact that not every trailer hitch receiver is made to the exact same dimensions. Luckily, there is a perfect solution for this! You will need to install the Locking Anti-Rattle, Threaded Hitch Pin for Swagman 2" Hitch Racks # S64027. Not only will this lock your bike rack to the receiver, but it will also...
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  • Bike Rack Solution for 2017 Volkswagen Golf to Carry E-Bikes
  • The Thule Gateway Pro 2 Bike Rack part # TH88VR is a confirmed fit for your 2017 Volkswagen Golf but since is only rated for carrying bikes up to a weight of 35 lbs it would not be the best solution for carrying e-bikes like what you have. Since there are no trunk mounted bike racks that have a higher weight capacity a hitch solution would be your best option so that you could carry an e-bike rack like the Thule EasyFold XT part # TH903202 which can carry bikes with low step thru frames...
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  • Troubleshooting Yakima OnRamp Bike Rack Movement While Driving with a 2012 Honda Crosstour
  • Thank you for reaching out and your purchase of the Yakima OnRamp Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches # Y96FR. Using a stabilizing strap can help keep the rack from moving around as much so if that's the route you want to take then I recommend using the Curt Cam Buckle Stabilizing Strap # 18050 which can be secured to your trunk/hatch or safety chain loops - whichever is easiest to then extend the strap to the bike rack. With that being said, the reason why you're experiencing...
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  • What Can I Do When My Hitch Bike Rack Interferes With My Brake Sesnor
  • Unfortunately, there is not a long term fix for this issue. Your 2017 Lexus RX 350 views your RockyMounts WestSlope 3 Bike Rack - 2" Hitches - Tilting - Wheel Mount, part # RKY10223, as an obstacle, especially when loaded with bikes. Your only solution is to disable the sensor while you are using the bike rack. You should still have use of the rear mounted camera, but you will not have use of the cars backup sensor while the bike rack is in use.
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  • Troubleshooting Swagman Bike Rack Wobble in 2 Inch Factory Receiver
  • The Swagman XC 2-Bike Rack Platform Style for 1-1/4" and 2" Trailer Hitches # S64650 will have some wobble as all bike racks do. I recommend slightly lifting the rack as you tighten the integrated hitch pin anti-rattle. If you want to further secure the rack to the hitch, I recommend using the Roadmaster Quiet Hitch for 2" Trailer Hitches # RM-061.
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  • Trailer Hitch for a 2017 Lexus RX 350 F Sport to Carry Bike Rack
  • The Curt hitch part # C56434 would be a great choice for yor your 2017 Lexus RX350 F Sport as it's mostly hidden and has a great tongue weight capacity for carrying a bike rack. If you are in need of a bike rack the Hollywood Trail Rider # HR200Z would be a great option that's easy to load and very stable.
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  • Yakima Ridgeback 4 Bike Rack Comes Loose from Hitch
  • I contacted my tech contact at Yakima and he said there could be a couple things going on with your Yakima RidgeBack 4 Bike Rack # Y02458. If your wedge tightens and engages, make sure you are locking the red knob after tightening. While this may be obvious, locking the red knob prevents the wedge from working itself loose while on the road. Beyond this, there could be an issue with the wedge assembly, however, I will need some photos of this part and bike rack to evaluate what the issue...
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