Aftermarket Hitch to Replace Subaru OEM Hitch to Allow Use of Thule EasyFold Hitch Bike Rack

Question:

Hi! I purchased the Thule EasyFolder, but the hitch on my 2016 Subaru Forrester seems incompatible since the hole on the side of the hitch is only about 1/2 inch back from the end. Do you have a recommendation for making this hitchand bike rack work? Is there some kind of adaptor extender? The bike store suggested tightening it up without the lock arm in the hole, and this seems unsafe. Thanks!

asked by: Andy

Expert Reply:

Subaru factory hitches do have limited space from the end of their receiver tubes to the hitch pin hole, and as you have discovered this can make it tough to install some otherwise excellent bike carriers such as the Thule EasyFold, part # TH903202.

Your best option is to replace the factory hitch with a quality 2-inch aftermarket unit like the Draw-Tite # 75876. The 2-inch hitch size will work great with the EasyFold # TH903202 rack plus it will be more compatible with a range of hitch-mount accessories, more of which are made in the 2-inch size.

Draw-Tite hitch # 75876 installs without any drilling, includes all the hardware to install it, and it offers a higher tongue weight capacity than your OEM hitch - a full 525-lbs. This means a big safety margin which is always a good thing. You can refer the linked video to see installation on a 2016 Forester.

expert reply by: Adam R