Use of Stabilizing Strap 18050 with Curt Hitch on 2010 Subaru Outback

Question:

Why does Curt recommend stabilizing straps for bike racks? Is it for structural reasons or just to prevent the rack from rocking back and forth? My bike rack tightens on the hitch pin in way that prevents any wiggling of the rack. Would I still need to use stabilizing straps? Also, why dont the other hitch manufacturers require stabilizing straps? Thank you.

asked by: Mike

Expert Reply:

Curt chooses to recommend a stabilizing strap be used on some of their hitches when non-wheeled loads like bike racks are installed simply as an added safety measure. Using a support strap like # 18050 on ANY hitch would certainly be an okay idea, but other hitch makers do not have this express requirement. This is no way indicates the Curt hitch # 13390 is weaker than others, but is simply a more conservative approach in the interests of safety and long-term reliability.

When a load like a bike rack can move around it will cause additional stresses to be introduced into the receiver tube. Eliminating some of that potential motion will reduce the chances of that happening. Since your rack has an anti-rattle hitch pin to secure the shank in the receiver tube, you will already have substantially reduced the potential for motion of the rack, but the strap will still add the benefit of taking some of the weight burden off the hitch tube.

expert reply by: Adam R