Best Bike Rack and Trailer Hitch for Carrying 3 Bikes on a 2018 Subaru Forester

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Question:

About to buy a 2018 Forester. Will have a hitch mount installed at dealership. What class and type should I ask for? Most of the time will be using 1 or 2 bikes, but would max out at 3 Womens bike and 2 kid bikes or in future, possibly 2 womens and 1 mans. What is best rack that wont interfere too much with rear visibility esp. when no bikes are on the car and rack is folded down? And how easy or hard is it to take the rack off completely so we can maximize parking ease when not going biking for awhile?

asked by: Holly S

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Expert Reply:

To get the most out of your trailer hitch you will want a Class III hitch with a 2 inch hitch receiver like the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver # 75876 which is confirmed to fit your 2018 Subaru Forester.

This specific trailer hitch does not have a 2 bike restriction like a Class I trailer hitch would have and the 2 inch receiver will allow you to carry a wider variety of accessories than a 1-1/4 inch receiver would.

A great option for you is the RockyMounts MonoRail 3 Bike Platform Rack # RKY10004-10005. This bike rack weighs in at 63 lbs so it is definitely a bit heavier, but it uses a platform wheel mount system. This means it secures your bikes by the wheels and will not require the use of an adapter bar as it can accommodate any bikes frame type that does not have a fender. It also has bike and rack locks plus it can be folded up. The tilting feature is a little different in that you can actually leave your bikes on the bike rack when utilizing this feature.

If you have this bike rack configured for 3 bikes then it can carry 3 that weigh up to 45 lbs, but if you take the 1 bike extension off that weight limit is increased to 60 lbs per bike.

When talking about the clearance when looking behind your vehicle the Helium would most likely be the better choice. Although the MonoRail will not be visible in the carrying position, the 3rd bike carrier would probably be completely visible when you have it in the "folded" position.

I have attached some review videos on these bike racks that you can check out.

expert reply by: Jon G

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Answer 1

For a solid hitch mounted bike carrier, I recommend the Kuat Transfer V2 Bike Platform Rack, Item #KU24FR. To see if it will clear the rear spare tire of your 2011 Toyota RAV4, you will need to take some measurements. On the Transfer there is 6…

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Answer 2

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 3

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 4

Class I and Class II hitches both have a 1-1/4 inch receiver opening. The difference is that a Class I hitch has a lower tongue weight rating, usually 200 pounds and a lower towing rating, usually 2,000 pounds. A Class II hitch usually has a tongue…

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Answer 5

To add a class III hitch to your 2024 Honda CR-V hybrid, I recommend the Curt Trailer Hitch item #C13397. This hitch is custom fit and bolts to your CR-V with included hardware. It is a class III hitch with a 2" receiver. I really like this…

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Answer 6

To me it makes the most sense to put a Bike Rack #HLY64FR on the flat towed vehicle rather than above the tow bars. Especially on heavy e-bikes as they are difficult to lift that high onto the rack, but also as it only makes sense to have the rack on…

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Answer 7

The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 #SH22G and the NV 2.0 #NV22G that you referenced are both excellent platform-style racks that will hold your bikes by the front wheels with no frame contact. These are top-of-the-line carriers and you really would not go wrong…

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Answer 8

Yes, the Curt hitch part #C77ZV is a fit for the 2023 Toyota Crown Hybrid. I attached a link to the install instructions as well as a link to an installer finder in case you wanted to find someone near you to install the hitch.

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Answer 9

The main difference between the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver part #C13416 and the EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver part #EH97FR is that the EcoHitch has a completely hidden cross tube whereas the Curt cross tube will be visible from the rear of…

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Answer 10

Hey Dave, so the best option for carrying your carbon frame bike and e-bike is the Swagman Escapee part #S39SR with the ramp #S59SR . It has the capacity for carrying an e-bike, is rated for travel trailer use, only touches the bikes by the tires…

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Answer 11

There are some subtle difference between the Kuat Piston Pro Bike Rack for 2 Bikes #KU76ZR and the Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack for 2 Bikes #KU98VR. Overall the two racks are very similar, there are just some subtle differences/upgrades on the Piston…

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Answer 12

Yes, you can install a Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C11433 on your 2019 Chevrolet Spark. This receiver is capable of supporting up to 200lbs of tongue weight. With each of the Lectric 3.0 e-bikes weighing roughly 60lbs without the battery you will…

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Best Bike Rack and Trailer Hitch for Carrying 3 Bikes on a 2018 Subaru Forester

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