Trailer Hitch and Bike Rack Recommendations for a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Question:

I have a Susuki Grand Vitara 2006 with a spare wheel on back. I would like to purchase a bike rack compatible for 5 bikes 2 adult and 3 youth bikes for 11 year olds - easy to assemble. I do not have a trailer hitch on my vehicle and would like to know if the rack supplier could install the required hitch as well as the bike rack

asked by: Gloria

Expert Reply:

Many of our customers install their hitches themselves. You can always have a trusted mechanic or handy friend or relative install it for you, if this is something you would not feel comfortable doing yourself. The Draw-Tite class III Trailer Hitch Receiver, # 75448 would be ideal for your vehicle.

We offer a few bike racks that can handle 5 bicycles. The Swagman XP, # S64970, and the Thule Apex, # TH9026XT. The fit issue that we will have is the spare tire on the rear of the vehicle. The shank (part that slides into the hitch) on the Swagman is 7-3/4 inches long, on the Yakima it is 11-1/2 inches, and on the Thule, it is 6-1/4 inches. If the distance from the hitch pin hole of your receiver to the furthest rearward portion of the spare tire is less than 6-1/4 inches, any of the racks I mentioned would work for you.

expert reply by: Mike L