Hitch Adapter to fit 1-1/4-Inch Hitch to Allow Use of 2-Inch Thule Hitch Bike Rack  

Question:

Expert Reply:

The aftermarket hitches we offer for your 2013 Land Rover Evoque are all the 2-inch Class III variety like Curt # C13128 but it sounds like your OEM hitch is a 1-1/4-inch Class II and that's why you need a hitch adapter to let you use your 2-inch Thule bike rack.

We offer adapter # HT5R that will fit your 1-1/4-inch hitch and give you the 2-inch receiver opening you need for your Thule bike rack. This adapter also gives you 5-inches of rise which means better ground clearance, which is especially important if you have to pull into a steep driveway. Please click on the linked video for more.

Keep in mind one thing about adapters: they cause you to lose half of your hitch capacity. This means that if your hitch's safety sticker says it has a tongue weight (TW) rating of 350-lbs, then when you use the adapter the hitch capacity immediately becomes 175-lbs. This has to be enough for the weight of the rack itself and the weight of your bikes combined.

Adding an adapter also tends to increase the random motion of the rack when you drive, due to the additional connection point introduced by the adapter. You may want to use a stabilizing strap # 18050 or something similar to help steady the rack (if you find it moves too much for your tastes).

If you find that you prefer to replace the rack with one that will directly fit your new hitch you can use the link provided to review all 1-1/4-inch hitch racks. The linked article will help you select one that fits well on the car. If you like you can also let me know whether your hitch is a Class I or Class II type (it will be on that same sticker) and a bit about your bikes and I will be glad to help you select a suitable rack for your bikes and budget.

expert reply by: Adam R

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