Bike Rack That Can Be Folded Up on 2013 Subaru Forester With Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch

Question:

Hi, I have a 2013 Subaru Forester and Im interested in this receiver hitch. Do you have any bicycle tray hitch racks that will fit this and also be folded up into the storage position? It looks like the hitch pin hole to bumper distance on this hitch is 6.75, but a couple of the racks Im looking at sit much closer about 4 inch from the hitch pin hole when folded and would not be able to fold up. I understand that the Curt hitch is closer to the bumper, but Im not interested in that one because of the strap requirement. Hoping to find a tray style bike rack that will work with this Draw-Tite hitch. Thanks for your help.

asked by: Tom

Expert Reply:

There are absolutely tray-style platform bike racks that will fold up when used with the Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch # 75650 that fits your 2013 Subaru Forester. You were right that when we test fit this hitch on a '13 Forester there was 6-3/4 inches from the hitch pin hole to the bumper so you will need a rack with a longer shank, and you have some great options.

I strongly recommend checking out the Saris Freedom 2 Bike Platform Rack # SA4412B which is 8 inches from the center of the hitch pin hole to the closest part of the when it is folded up. This rack weighs just 22.5 lbs so it is extremely lightweight but also has a 60 lb per bike capacity which gives it a unique combination of being easy to handle and extremely strong. The Freedom also has a shank that rises 8 inches to give you the benefit of added ground clearance.

This bike rack also has a lever that you only need to push to fold the rack up or tilt it down, which is a quality-of-life feature that makes it easier to use than many other bike racks. The Freedom also allows you to protect your investment via its anti-rattle hitch lock which secures the rack to your hitch. This rack works with bikes that have a wheelbase of up to 48 inches.

I have added links to video reviews of the Saris Freedom 2 Bike Platform Rack # SA4412B for you to take a look at.

The Freedom is a great rack that will do the job though it is a frame mount so I did want to give you an option that was a wheel-mounted bike rack, the Kuat Sherpa 2.0, which comes in your choice of colors: Black # SH22B, Pearl # SH22P, or Gray # SH22G. This rack measures 7-1/2 inches from the center of the hitch pin hole to the closest part of the when it is folded up so it has the clearance you need.

The Sherpa 2.0 is also very easy to use, and installs in your Forester's hitch with the swift and simple turn of a knob, making it one of the easiest bike racks to use. This knob also works as an anti-rattle device, giving you a very quiet ride. The rack even folds tilts down with the use of a simple foot lever. Like the Freedom, the Sherpa 2.0 also comes with locks to keep the rack secured to your Forester and your bikes secured to the rack.

This bike rack has a 40 lb per bike weight capacity and will fit wheels that are between 25 inches and 29 inches in diameter. It will also work with tires up to 3 inches wide, though if you have tires that are from 3 inches to 4.8 inches wide you can add the Phat Bike Adapter Kit for Kuat Bike Racks # APBK.

I have added links to video reviews of the Sherpa 2.0 for you to take a look at as well.