Recommended Remedy for Trailer Hitch Receiver That Scrapes on the Ground
Question:
I have a 2008 Toyota Sienna van. I currently have a 2inch receiver tow hitch, but it scrapes every time I pull into my driveway. I was thinking a 1 1/4inch receiver would have a lower profile and might not scrape? What do you think? Also. I have a Yakima bike rack made for a 2inch receiver. If I used a 1 1/4inch to 2inch adaptor. Could the adaptor support the weight of the rack and 4 bikes? What is the tung weight of the HTAD adaptor? Thanks.
asked by: Jeff T
Expert Reply:
A smaller 1-1/4-inch Class II hitch on your 2008 Toyota Sienna will have a slightly greater height above ground than a 2-inch Class III type. For example, when we installed hitch # 36513 on a 2007 Sienna we found that the top of the receiver tube was 11-inches above ground. When we installed 2-inch Class III hitch # C13105 the top of the tube was 10-1/4-inches above ground. Please refer to the linked videos if you like.
Yes, you gain a bit of clearance with a smaller Class II hitch but in order to use your 2-inch bike rack you'd have to use an adapter like # HTAD that you referenced. Adapters come with a price: they immediately reduce your hitch's capacity by 50-percent and they can also reduce your actual ground clearance for going in a sloped driveway since they extend further out from the rear of the car. This adapter has a tongue weight (TW) rating of 300-lbs but if used in a Class II hitch you end up with a TW limit of 150 to 175-lbs for the hitch itself depending on the particular brand. This would not be enough for any 4-bike rack and bikes.
Since it is the hitch itself that is hitting the ground there is no easy fix. You can try to approach the driveway at a sharper angle, if possible, to reduce the chance for the hitch tube scraping on the ground, but changing your hitch will not give you the extra clearance you need.
If you remove the hitch you could use a trunk-mount type bike rack such as the 2-bike Thule Passage # TH910XT or the 3-bike # TH911XT. These and other trunk-mount racks for your Sienna are viewable on the linked page. There are no 4-bike trunk racks available.
Products Referenced in This Question
Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class II - 1-1/4"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class II
- 300 lbs TW
- 3500 lbs GTW
- 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Visible Cross Tube
- Draw-Tite
more information >
Hitch Adapter 1-1/4" to 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver
- Hitch Adapters
- Hitch Expander
- Bike Racks
- Cargo Carriers
- Hitch Mounted Accessories
- 7-1/4 Inch Extension
- Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- 1-1/4 Inch to 2 Inch
- Brophy
more information >
Thule Passage Trunk Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - Hanging Style
- Trunk Bike Racks
- Frame Mount - Anti-Sway
- 2 Bikes
- Non-Retractable
- Locks Not Included
- 6 Straps
- Adjustable Arms
- Hanging Rack
- Thule
more information >
Thule Passage 3 Bike Carrier - Trunk Mount
- Trunk Bike Racks
- Frame Mount - Anti-Sway
- 3 Bikes
- Non-Retractable
- Locks Not Included
- Fits Most Factory Spoilers
- 6 Straps
- Adjustable Arms
- Hanging Rack
- Thule
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class III
- 350 lbs TW
- 3500 lbs GTW
- 5000 lbs WD GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- 500 lbs WD TW
- Visible Cross Tube
- CURT
more information >
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