Higher Capacity Bike Rack for 2 Bikes on a 2003 Lexus LS 430

Question:

I have a Specialized Vado 2.0 Small Womens Step Thru Ebike. It weights approximately 48 lbs with the battery battery 9 lbs. My husband has 20 lbs bike mens road bike. Will this rack hold the weight of the two bikes. If so, is there any other accessories that we should add for stability? We have a 2003 Lexus 430 LS sedan. There is a lot of conflicting information about whether this trunk mounted rack will hold the weight. Thanks so much,

asked by: Karen L

Expert Reply:

The Thule OutWay trunk mount platform bike rack, part # TH65JV, can carry up to two 33 pound bikes. It's not rated to carry your 48 pound e-bike and neither are any of the trunk mount racks we carry.

Your best option is to add a hitch to your 2003 Lexus LS 430 and use a hitch mount bike rack. The Saris Freedom, part # SA4412B, is a great rack that can handle up to 60 pound bikes. Also the rack itself only weighs about 22-12 pounds. The Thule you looked at is about twice that.

For a hitch on the Lexus we have the Curt # C12231. It's a Class II receiver opening which the Saris Freedom fits. The rack is versatile and fits Class I, II, and III hitches so it'll work on basically any vehicle with a trailer hitch (with a reduction of capacity for Class I hitches).

With the Curt hitch you also need to use the support strap # 18050 per Curt's warranty.