Will Thule Helium PRO Aluminum 2 Bike Carrier Clear Spare Tire on 2004 Honda CR-V
Question:
Do I need an extender for the hitch with the spare wheel being mounted on the back? I have a Honda CR-V 2004
asked by: Sarah T
Expert Reply:
Using a hitch extender is a possible solution, but not necessarily the best one. Using an extender on a bike rack would reduce the tongue weight capacity of your hitch by half, which would mean that the weight of the rack plus the bikes stored on it could not exceed half of the tongue weight capacity listed on the sticker placed on the hitch.
Using an extender will also add another piece between the bike rack and the receiver. This can cause the bike rack to bounce and rattle around, which is not desirable. Finding a rack whose shank is long enough to clear the spare tire will always be the best alternative.
To determine if the Thule Helium PRO rack you referenced will clear the rear mounted spare tire on your CR-V, you will need to measure the distance from the pin hole in your hitch to the furthest rearward portion of the spare tire. The distance from the center of the hitch pin hole in the shank to the upright bar on the Thule Helium Aero Aluminum 2 Bike Carrier, part # TH9042PRO, measures 8 inches. If the distance you measured is less than 8 inches, the rack will indeed fit on your vehicle.
If you find that you need more clearance than 8 inches you may want to consider the Swagman Titan, which offers similar features as the Helium and offers 14-1/2 inches of clearance from the center of the hitch pin hole to the closest portion of the rack.
The other option, would be a spare tire mounted bike rack. I would recommend the Thule Spare Me 2 Bike Carrier, part # TH963PRO. Instead of mounting to the hitch, the Spare Me would attach to the spare tire mount. The carrier arms are adjustable, and would allow you to center the bikes on the rear of the vehicle, which is ideal for vehicles that have off-center spare tires, like your CR-V.
To carry women's bikes or bikes with sharply angled top tubes or step-through frames, using a frame adapter like part # TH982XT is recommended. The adapter spans the distance between the seat post and the handle bar gooseneck, and provides a level attachment point to the bike rack so the bike has greater ground clearance and is not carried at an angle.
I have linked you to a video showing the same rack being installed on a similar model CR-V.
Products Referenced in This Question
Swagman Titan Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Hanging Rack
- Folding Rack
- Tilt-Away Rack
- Frame Mount
- Bike Lock
- 2 Bikes
- Class 1
- Class 2
- Class 3
- Fits 1-1/4 and 2 Inch Hitch
- Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Swagman
more information >
Thule Spare Me 2 Bike Rack - Spare Tire Mount - Folding Dual Arms
- Spare Tire Bike Racks
- Frame Mount - Anti-Sway
- 2 Bikes
- Bike and Rack Lock
- Dual Arm
- Folding
- Hanging Rack
- Thule
more information >
Thule Bike Adapter Bar for Women's and Alternative Frame Bikes
- Accessories and Parts
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Spare Tire Bike Racks
- Trunk Bike Racks
- Adapter Bar
- Frame
- 16 - 31-1/2 Inch Long
- Thule
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Shop: etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"
- Shop: Hollywood Racks Trail Rider Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
- Video: Hollywood Racks Hitch Bike Racks Review - 2021 Honda CR-V
- Video: Hollywood Racks Trail Rider 2 Bike Platform Rack Review
- Q&A: Can Yakima OnRamp Bike Rack Fit Hitch of 2004 Honda CR-V
- Q&A: Spare Tire Mounted Bike Rack Recommendation for 2004 Honda CR-V with Offset Spare
- Q&A: Will My Bike Clear My Spare Tire on My 2004 Honda CR-V when Using the Swagman XTC2?
- Shop: Swagman Titan Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting
- Shop: Hollywood Racks Destination Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
- Article: What is an RV-Approved Bike Rack? (And Do You REALLY Need One?)
- Shop: etrailer Hitch Pin Alignment Collar for Hitch Accessories - 2" Hitches
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Search Results: 44649
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a Class II and a Class III Hitch?
- Video: Choosing the Right Trailer Wiring
- Video: Lippert Solera Slider Slide-Topper Review
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Shop: Dust Cap for Kodiak Disc Brake Kit
- Search Results: 68149
- Q&A: Wiring a Camper Shell Third Brake Light on a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Search Results: 25580
- Q&A: 10k Dexter Replacement Hub for a 8-415
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Shop: Curt Powered Tail Light Converter with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Video: Choosing the Right Brake Controller
- Shop: Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Article: Best Bike Racks for Electric Bikes
on Hitch Bike Racks
