Recommended Platform Bike Carrier For Fat Bikes On 2013 Honda CR-V With 2-Inch Trailer Hitch

Question:

2013 Honda CRV with Class III , 2 inch Hitch Installed. I like the tilt-away feature when our fat bikes with 4-inch wide tires are loaded on the rack for easy hatch access. Also, need stainless steel hitch lock and bike locks for the rack.

asked by: William

Expert Reply:

The Swagman Chinook 2 Bike Platform Rack, part # S64683 has the features you said you want with locks and a tilting feature when the bikes are loaded. The only concern is that you plan on carrying fat bikes in the carrier. The # S64683 can carry bikes that weigh up to 45-lbs each and have a maximum tire width of 3-inches, which will not work with your 4-inch wide tires. I do have a solution for you.

I recommend a bike carrier like the Thule T2 Pro XTR 2 Bike Platform Rack, part # TH83JV. This carrier is designed to carry Fat bikes with a tire width of 5-inches and bikes that weigh up to 60-lbs each. It also has the tilting feature when bikes are loaded and has a hitch lock that secures the bike carrier to your hitch. There is a 4-bike version that can be setup to carry 2 or 4 bikes. It is the Thule T2 Pro XTR # TH83JV.

This bike rack does not have locks that secure the bikes to the carrier but they can be purchased separately. They are the Thule One-Key System Lock Cylinders, part # TH450200. I called my contact at Thule and they told me the threaded portion of the hitch lock is stainless but the body of the lock is not and they also told me the lock cylinders have a body that is not stainless steel but some of the inner parts are.