Use of Stabilizing Strap 18050 with Curt Class I Trailer Hitch C11169

Question:

Dear Sir/Madam - I am considering a hitch for my 2002 Audi S4 Avant the B5 body style so that I can use a hitch-mounted bike rack. However, I am uncomfortable with the apparent fact that it attaches to sheet metal rather than to the frame or bumper hardware and, as a result, you recommend the use of a stability strap. Can you please a give me a sense of what compromises I would be making by going with your 11169 hitch as opposed to something that attaches to a more solid part of the car and b give me a little pep talk about why I neednt really be concerned if you sincerely believe that I dont need to worry and I will be well served by the 11169 hitch? For what it is worth, I normally will only have one mountain bike on the rack. Many thanks.

asked by: Robert R

Expert Reply:

Since there is only the one hitch offered for your 2002 Audi S4 Avant, Curt Class I hitch # C11169, you do not have to worry about options! You are correct that this hitch, somewhat uniquely, mounts to the car's trunk pan and body. Most hitches attach directly to a vehicle's frame rails, its strongest part, but since that access is not available on your car hitch designers had to find other places to mount it.

Curt's requirement for using a support strap # 18050 is not limited to this particular hitch, nor even to other Class I hitches that do mount to a car's frame. Some of their higher-capacity 2-inch Class III hitches also have this same requirement. Curt requires use of the support strap on these hitches to maintain warranty coverage. If you do not care about potential loss of warranty coverage then you can choose to forego the strap, but I recommend you use one or use a similar item like bungees or a ratchet strap.

I recommend you use the strap even if you are carrying only one mountain bike. You may find that the reduced motion of your bike rack (from using the strap) is a nice benefit that gives you peace of mind as you go down the road.

You have many excellent options in a 2-bike or higher-capacity rack. We offer platform type racks like the Swagman XC # S64650, for example. This platform carrier offers 4-inches of height rise in the shank for better ground clearance and it secures the bikes at 3 points (each wheel and at the frame). It can handle tires as wide as 3-1/2-inches, wheelbases up to 51-1/2-inches and you can add anti-rattle lock # S64031 to secure both the rack and your bikes.

expert reply by: Adam R