Needing to Extend Bike Rack Out from Trailer Hitch on a 2013 Ford Escape

Question:

i have a 2013 Ford Escape. had a 2 inch hitch rack installed. i bought a Thule Camber bike rack for 2 inch hitch. the hitch is a bit under the car and the bike rack hits the car before i can pin the bike rack to the hitch. will Part# e88YR fit the 2 inch hitch and allow 2 inch bike rack into other end? i bought a 2 inch receiver adapter that has 7 inch extension but it has 1 1/4 inch receiver opening which does not work with 2 inch hitch bike rack. i need both ends to be 2 inches. thanks.

asked by: Maureen

Expert Reply:

It is possible to use a hitch extender, like # e88YR, to move the mounting point of your bike rack on your 2013 Ford Escape. However, when you use a hitch extender you will decrease your hitch's overall capacity by 50 percent.

Knowing your hitch's tongue weight capacity will be an important factor when using the hitch extender. if your hitch has a 300 lbs tongue weight capacity, then using the extender will decrease the tongue weight to 150 lbs. Tongue weight will include any weight you have loaded in the cargo area of your Escape behind the rear axle.

Looking at the info on the Thule Camber # TH9058, the rack weighs 28 lbs and can carry 2 bikes weighing 37.5 lbs each. So, fully loaded with 2 bikes the total weight will be 103 lbs. In this case, with a 300 lbs tongue weight, the bike rack and bikes will be within the reduced 150 lb tongue weight.

If your total tongue weight, bikes, rack, and anything in the cargo area behind the axle, is below the new tongue weight when using the extender, then you will be able to carry your bike and rack on your hitch.

expert reply by: Jared P