Availability of 2 Inch Trailer Hitch Receiver to Carry Bike Rack on 2012 VW Jetta

Question:

I have a 2012 Passat SE 2.5L Gas engine. All of your receivers are 1 1/4inch but I already own a 2inch Yakima bike rack. Do you sell a 2inch receiver for the Passat. Ive seen the adapters but would rather avoid that. Thanks

asked by: Rob H

Expert Reply:

Although none of our hitch manufacturers offer a 2 inch receiver that would work with a VW Passat, I do have an option for you. I would agree with wanting to avoid using an adapter. Using an adapter would lower the 200 lb tongue weight cacpcity of the hitch by half to 100 lbs. THis would mean that the weight of the racks and the bikes paced upon it could not exceed 100 lbs. Also, Yakima states in the instructions for most of their bike racks that they do not recommend using a hitch adapter.

Rather than adding a hitch and a Class I compatible hitch mounted bike rack, I'd recommend going with a quality trunk mounted bike rack like the Thule OutWay, part # TH45JV for a 2 bike or # TH56BV for a 3 bike model. The OutWay isn't like other trunk mounted racks you might have seen before. Rather than the hard to use 6 straps and buckles that need to be fooled with each time the rack is installed or removed, the OutWay uses only 2 rubber coated straps to secure the rack to the vehicle. It also comes with locks for both the rack and the bikes to deter theft.

expert reply by: Mike L