What Hitch Is Recommended For A Toyota Highlander Carrying A Bike Rack

Question

Question:

We just purchased a hitch from you that we plan to have installed. We are also looking for a bike rack to attach to the hitch. We will be carrying 4 bikes- two adult one male, one female and two kids bikes 20 and 24 inches. What bike rack would you recommend?

asked by: Jill G

0

Expert Reply:

If your only purpose for the hitch is a bike carrier, I would narrow down your choices to two hitches. The Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C13200 and etrailer.com Trailer Hitch Receiver # e98844. Both are solid options that provide the same 2" of clearance from the top of the receiver to the farthest point of the bumper on your 2014 Toyota Highlander. Both provide a low profile, hidden appearance and so the key difference is for preference for the matte finish of the etrailer hitch or the glossy finish of the Curt. We have seen the matte finish be less prone to scratching and often blends in nicely on modern vehicles.

I would be happy to recommend a bike rack as well if you could let me know what kind of biking you do, the types of bikes you need to carry, and any special considerations such as ease of loading or if you intend to transport curved frame bikes. In the meantime I've included a help article for selecting a hitch mounted bike rack.

expert reply by: Patrick R

0

Jill

9/6/2019

We just purchased a hitch from you that we plan to have installed. We are also looking for a bike rack to attach to the hitch. We will be carrying 4 bikes- two adult one male, one female and two kids bikes 20 and 24 inches. What bike rack would you recommend?

Reply

Patrick R.

9/6/2019

Thank you for purchasing your hitch here at etrailer.com. I think you will be able to select a great rack from these 3 options below as well. The Thule Hitching Post Pro - Folding Tilting 4 Bike Rack w Anti-Sway # TH934XTR is a great choice for a simple rack from a quality manufacturer. The tilting feature allows you to access the hatch and the rack folds up to stow away nicely when not carrying bikes. The trade off with this model is that you have to exert some effort to get the bikes up and onto the carrier. If the women's bike has a curved frame, an adapter bar like the Swagman Deluxe Bike Frame Adapter Bar # 64005 can help a great deal loading bikes onto this style rack so all bikes are mounted level. The included video below demonstrates how useful this can be. A platform style bike rack that is my recommendation is the Saris Freedom 4 Bike Platform Rack # SA4414B. It sits lower to the ground and mounts the bike by the frame using straps that make the loading and unloading process much easier. This rack also tilts away and stows away well behind your Highlander.

Reply

Answer 1

Yes the etrailer hitch #e98844 is a confirmed fit for your 2015 Toyota Highlander LE Plus.

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Answer 2

So long as the full size spare tire on your 2019 Toyota Highlander does NOT have an aluminum rim, it will still fit after installing the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98844. I also wanted to mention, if you were looking to tow and needed trailer…

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Answer 3

The spare tire for a 2019 Toyota Highlander is stored under the vehicle. If you check out the attached installation video for the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98844 you can see the empty location under the vehicle where the spare tire should be.…

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Answer 4

The rust on your hitch definitely seems extreme for the three year time period you've had it on your 2017 Toyota Highlander. That said, rusting is a direct reaction to oxidation and even without using it in winter weather it can still happen.…

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Answer 5

The etrailer hitch part #e98844 is a confirmed fit for your Highlander since your spare is steel. The magnet test you performed proves it is steel since it wouldn't stick to aluminum. The aluminum wheel spare is just too wide which is why they…

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Answer 6

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 7

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 8

Yes, we do. To add a hitch to your 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, I recommend the Curt Trailer Hitch item #C26VV. This hitch is custom fit and bolts to your Toyota with included hardware. This is a class III hitch with a 2" receiver. It has a…

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Answer 9

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 10

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 11

I definitely understand being a bit overwhelmed by the amount of options in front of you, however I can definitely help with differentiating the trailer hitches for your 2019 Subaru Outback Wagon along with explaining my personal recommendation,…

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Answer 12

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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