Recommended Hitch-Mounted Bike Carrier For 4-Bikes On 2011 Toyota RAV4 With Rear-Mount Spare Tire

Question:

Im looking for bike racks that will work with a 2011 Toyota RAV4 with spare tire on the back with a plastic cover over the tire. Im assuming a rack that fits over the tire wont fit over the plastic cover thats on my tire? so Im guessing I will need a hitch rack. Are there some that will stick out far enough from the hitch to clear the tire cover that sticks out? Preferably holds 3-4 bikes and that can fold down somehow so I can open the back of my car still. It opens left to right not down /up.

asked by: Haley

Expert Reply:

If you have a trailer hitch installed on your RAV4 you can take a quick measurement to be sure you find the correct hitch mounted bike carrier that will work for you. You will need a tape measure and a straight edge like a yardstick or a dowel. Place the straight edge vertically against the back of the bumper or spare tire, letting it extend below the trailer hitch receiver opening. Then measure from the center of the hitch pin to the straight edge. This will give you the distance you need to clear the bumper or spare tire.

If you need a trailer hitch I recommend the Draw-Tite Max-Frame, part # 75235. This is a Class lll hitch and it has a 2-inch receiver opening. When installed on a RAV4, this hitch has a distance from the center of the hitch pin to the back of the bumper of 2-1/2 inches.

For a bike carrier I recommend the Thule Apex Swing 4 Bike Rack, part # TH9027XT. This rack conveniently swings away from the back of the vehicle giving you access to the rear cargo area of your RAV4. The distance from of the hitch pin hole to the upright bar of the carrier is 14-inches. This carrier has a weight capacity of 140-lbs. This carrier comes with an integrated cable lock to secure the bikes to the carrier. We also offer the Snug-Tite hitch lock, part # THSTL2 to secure the carrier to the trailer hitch.

The bike carrier you came from, part # TH934XTR also holds 4 bikes that weigh up to 35-lbs each. It has a distance of 13-1/2 inches from the center of the hitch pin hole to the upright arm of the carrier. It does tilt away from the rear of the vehicle when unloaded for access to the cargo area.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L