Hitch Bike Rack Recommendation for a 2015 Subaru Forester

Question:

Need advice on which bicycle trailer hitch rack to buy. Want to spend about $200 or less. I have a 2015 Subaru Forester with factory hitch. Am interested in Thule American made #934 and also like locking features of Rolo 59403. Which do you recommend as best buy? Does the Rolo vibrate much when driving along? I do prefer having a rack which carries fewer than four bikes.

asked by: Philip T

Expert Reply:

Between the two bike racks you referenced the Thule Hitching Post part # TH934XTR would be the better rack as long as you have a 2 inch hitch. If you check out the test course video I attached you will see that it handles bumps quite well without much movement at all. Since you don't plan on carrying 4 bikes with this rack I would recommend you pull off a set of the frame cradles. This will give the bikes extra space to prevent bumping together, and you'll have a spare set of cradles and straps.

To upgrade the rack so that it is fully lockable you would want the # THSTL2 to lock the rack to the hitch and part # TH538XT to lock the bikes to the rack.

I also attached a review video for this rack that shows it being demoed on a 2015 Subaru Forester just like yours.

If you have a 1-1/4 inch hitch you will need to use a Yakima bike rack as they are the only ones designed to fit the factory hitches of your vehicle. For that you would want the Ridgeback 4 # Y02458.

If you plan on carrying any womens or alternative framed bikes without horizontal top tubes you may also be interested in purchasing a Swagman Easy-Out Women's and Alternative Frame Bike Adapter # 64005 to provide a horizontal top tube on your bikes to provide an attachment point. I attached a review video for this product also. This will allow the bikes to be carried more level and will provide more ground clearance.