Hitch and Bike Rack Recommendation for 2016 Subaru Outback Wagon to Carry E-bikes

Question:

I recently purchased an ebike hybrid mountain-bike style, and I am looking to have a trailer hitch installed on my 2016 Subaru Outback that will accommodate a platform-style bike rack. I have been looking at either the Swagman Escapee Platform Rack or the Thule Easyfold platform bike rack. Do you have a recommendation for a trailer hitch attachment that would work? Thanks for your help.

asked by: Bev M

Expert Reply:

I recommend the Draw-Tite 2 inch hitch for the 2016 Subaru Outback Wagon part # 76227. The Draw-Tite hitch is a no drill installation compared to some of the other hitch options on your vehicle that require drilling holes in the frame. It's also a concealed cross tube design so the only portion of the hitch that is visible on the back of the Subaru is the 2 inch receiver. Since the Subaru sits lower to the ground the Draw-Tite hitch gives you about 13-1/2 inches of clearance between the bottom of the hitch receiver and the ground to prevent the bike rack from bottoming out once installed. You also have 2-1/2 inches of bumper clearance to allow you to fold your bike rack up without touching the bumper. I have attached an installation video for your reference.

I recommend you go with the Thule EasyFold platform rack part # TH903202 for your e-bike as long as it doesn't weigh more than 65 lbs because it comes with a ramp that allows you to roll the e-bike up onto the platform rack. I know that e-bikes can be heavy so a lot of our customers enjoy the ramp feature with the Thule EasyFold. The Thule EasyFold sits up higher than the Swagman Escapee so it helps with ground clearance as well. It also comes with locks to lock the bike to the rack and the rack to the hitch. I have attached a video for your reference.

expert reply by: Heather A