Trailer Hitch and Hitch Adapter Recommendation for 2008 Subaru Forester to Carry Bike Rack

Question:

I am looking for a 2 inch hitch for my 2008 Subaru Forester 2.5X. Do you have any recommendations? When I put my vehicle specs in the seach I dont find anything, but I noticed that in some QandAs your products sometimes work for different year vehicles. I dont care what class it is, Ill only be using it for a bike rack Saris Freedom Superclamp 4. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thank you!

asked by: Dylan

Expert Reply:

I have a solution for you, but we do not offer any trailer hitches with a 2 inch hitch receiver for your 2008 Subaru Forester.

All of the trailer hitches we offer for your vehicle are Class II trailer hitches with 1-1/4 inch receivers. The only way to carry your bike rack with a 2 inch shank is to use a hitch adapter. The downside to using an adapter is that it will reduce the tongue weight capacity of your trailer hitch by 50 percent.

The trailer hitch I recommend for your Forester is the Draw Tite Class II Frame Receiver Hitch # 36311. This hitch has a tongue weight capacity of 300 pounds. For an adapter, I recommend the Brophy Trailer Hitch Receiver Adapter with 5 Inch Rise # HT5R. Using this adapter will reduce the tongue weight of the trailer hitch to 150 pounds.

The Saris Freedom SuperClamp EX Platform Rack # SA4026F has a dry weight of 63 pounds. This leaves you with a total of 87 pounds to carry the 4 bikes on the rack.

I have attached an installation video of the hitch for you, as well as a review video of the hitch adapter and a link to all of the hitch adapters that will increase the receiver from 1-1/4 inches to 2 inches.

If you're interested in a bike rack that won't require the use of an adapter, I have attached a link to all of the bike racks that will fit a Class II hitch receiver.