Trailer Hitch Bike Rack Recommendation for 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser and 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek

Question

Question:

I have a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser w/ a 2inch hitch. We recently purchased a 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek that has no hitch. We would like to purchase a a hitch for the Subaru, and b a 4 bike rack that we could use interchangeably between our 2 vehicles. The products that seem to fit that bill are the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver C13135 and the Thule Hitching Post Pro 4 bike rack TH934XTR. My concerns/questions are as follows: 1 Will the Thule 4 bike rack fit on my 2007 FJ Cruiser? There is a spare tire that the rack would need to clear extending back from the hitch point. Also, I could not find any pictures showing this rack mounted onto an FJ anywhere on your website. 2 Will the Curt Trailer Hitch be strong enough to hold the Thule 4 bike rack with 4 bikes on it? What concerns me is the following note on your website regarding this hitch and bike racks: [Note: All non-trailer loads - bike racks, cargo carriers and so forth - should be supported with stabilizing straps. Failure to properly support these loads will void your hitch warranty from CURT.] Please address my questions above and let me know if this will be a good combination, if we would need any additional support for the hitch, or if you think there may be a better hitch/4 bike rack combination for our vehicles. Thanks in advance.

asked by: Brian S

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

In order to know if a bike rack will clear the spare tire on your 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser, we will want to measure the spare tire clearance. In order to find this, you will want to measure from the center of the hitch pin hole to the outside of the spare tire. I have attached a help article on finding this measurement. When we installed the Draw-Tite # 75461 on a 2008 FJ Cruiser, we found it to measure 9 inches from the center of the hitch pin hole to the outermost point of the spare tire. However, this measurement will be different depending on the hitch and spare tire size. We have not test fit the Thule Hitching Post Pro # TH934XTR to a FJ Cruiser yet, so unfortunately we don't have any pictures.

The Hitching Post Pro offers a distance of 13-1/2 inches from the center of the hitch pin hole to the upright bar of the carrier. I recommend measuring to be certain of the distance needed to clear your spare tire, but this bike rack does have one of the largest pin-hole-to-upright-bar measurements. The bike rack also features anti-sway cradles that will help prevent bike-to-bike contact and bike-to-vehicle contact.

The Thule Hitching Post Pro # TH934XTR has a weight capacity of 35 pounds per bike, holding 140 pounds total. The Curt Trailer Hitch # C13135 can support a maximum tongue weight of 525 pounds. Even factoring in the weight of the bike rack, the hitch will have no problem supporting the weight of the rack and bikes. In keeping with the manufacture warranty on the Curt hitch, the bike rack will need to be supported with the Curt Trailer Hitch Support Strap # 18050. These straps provide the accessory with an additional attachment point beyond the hitch. Curt places this stipulation on certain model hitches.

I think this will be a good combination for your 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek and 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser.

If you plan on carrying bikes with alternative frames, such as kids bikes or womens bikes, I recommend using an adapter bar, like # TH982XT. The adapter bar attaches between the seat post and the handlebar stem. This allows the bike to be positioned more level in the carrier while providing additional ground clearance. I have attached a product review video for this adapter bar.