Distance from Center of Hitch Pin Hole to Back of 2 Inch Portion of Hitch Adapter # HTAD

Question:

I have bike rack from our E350 van 2 receiver connection that I want to use on our Escape 1 1/4 receiver. On the bike rack, the distance from the center of the hitch pin hole to the back of the 2 square tube is 3 1/8...unfortunately, the adapter I have on hand has a distance of 2 7/8 to the back of the 2 to 1 1/4 transition point. Do I understand correctly from one of your other questions that the distance from the hitch pin hole in the 2 portion of the adapter is 3 3/8 i.e. before my bike rack bottoms out in it. From the measurements Ive given, do you think that #HTAD would work for my application? Please advise - thanks.

asked by: Greg

Expert Reply:

You are correct. The distance from the center of the hitch pin hole on the Adapter # HTAD, to the 2 inch to 1-1/4 inch transition point is 3-3/8 inches. On your bike rack, it the distance from the center of the hitch pin hole to end of the shank is 3-1/8 inches, you will have 1/2 inch to spare and the bike rack will fit. I have included a link to a video review of this adapter below.

I must also mention that the use of this adapter will reduce the tongue weight capacity of the trailer hitch on the Ford Escape by 50 percent. For example, if the tongue weight capacity of the hitch is 200 pounds, using the HTAD will reduce that capacity down to 100 pounds. This means that the combined weight of the rack and the bikes loaded on it cannot exceed 100 pounds. For this reason, we typically recommend that folks choose a bike rack that is compatible with the receiver size of the vehicle, so an adapter does not need to be used.

You might also be interested in adding a locking hitch pin for the adapter. For the 1-1/4 inch portion that slides into the hitch, you can use lock # e98879. For the bike rack and 2 inch portion you can use lock # e98880. Using both locks will deter theft of both the bike rack and the adapter.

expert reply by: Michael H