Bike Rack Recommendation for 4 Bikes on a 2016 Subaru Outback Wagon

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Question:

Hi! Im looking for a bike rack that can hold 4 bikes. We have a 2016 Subaru Outback with no hitch so I think it would need to be trunk mounted? TIA!

asked by: Alisha B

0

Expert Reply:

The best way to carry 4 bikes with any vehicle is with a trailer hitch. Trunk mount bike racks only go up to 3 bike positions and then aside from that you'll be loading 4 bikes on your roof which isn't as cost-effective or easy as the hitch mount.

For your 2016 Subaru Outback Wagon I recommend installing the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C13410 because it is a cost-effective solution that has a hidden crosstube so you get the best look (see attached).

Once this installed then I recommend using the Thule Apex XT bike rack which comes with a standard shank as part # TH9025XT or with a swinging arm as part # TH9027XT. The Apex XT is a great choice because it is simple yet effective. All of the features are easy to use with handles and knobs so you don't have to use tools for normal operations, it comes with both bike and rack locks, plus the cradles are spaced 7" apart on center. The cradle spacing might not seem like a big deal, but most of the bikes racks out there have about 5" or so spacing so the extra 2" makes loading and unloading bikes a LOT easier.

If any of your bikes is a kids bike or lacks a horizontal top tube then you'll also need the Adapter Bar # TH982XT so that it sits level and has enough ground clearance.

I have attached videos on the hitch and bike racks for you to check out.

expert reply by: Jon G

0

click to enlarge

Answer 1

The anti-rattle hitch pin of the Thule Apex XT, part #TH9025XT, will not be able to completely eliminate all movement. This is true for all anti-rattle hitch pins since they are designed to significantly reduce play (not eliminate it entirely as…

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Answer 2

The factory Subaru is a Class I hitch. The bike rack manufacturers all agree that no more than two bikes should be carried on a rack installed in a Class I hitch. Even though the weight of the rack and the 4 bikes might come in under the 200 lb…

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Answer 3

To carry a 4 bike rack with your 2018 Subaru Outback Wagon you'll need to have a trailer hitch installed like with the Draw Tite part #76227 which is a mostly hidden 2 inch hitch that has great weight capacities. Then for a 4-bike Thule rack…

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Answer 4

Your Class I hitch has a 2,000 lb gross weight capacity but only a 200 lb tongue weight capacity. The difference between these two capacities is that gross weight capacity refers to how heavy of a trailer you could tow, whereas the tongue weight…

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Answer 5

I recommend going with the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver #76046-SK for your 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid because it's the only Class III hitch with a 2" receiver for the Hybrid model that has a hidden crosstube. This means that…

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Answer 6

In order to use the Thule Apex XT 2 Bike Rack part #TH9024XT on a 2016 Subaru Outback Wagon I must recommend you replace the factory trailer hitch. The factory trailer hitch is notorious for having an extremely shallow hitch pin hole which then…

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Answer 7

That bolt is what the anti-rattle device pivots on as you tighten it. As long as the knob can still turn by hand it's not too tight. If you went back to the same position it was in prior you are totally fine.

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Answer 8

The Subaru hitches are honestly pretty obnoxious in how they are made since they have really shallow hitch pin holes which makes installing bike racks in them almost impossible. The best solution we have is going to be to replace the factory hitch of…

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Answer 9

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 10

To me it makes the most sense to put a Bike Rack #HLY64FR on the flat towed vehicle rather than above the tow bars. Especially on heavy e-bikes as they are difficult to lift that high onto the rack, but also as it only makes sense to have the rack on…

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Answer 11

Yes, you can install a Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C11433 on your 2019 Chevrolet Spark. This receiver is capable of supporting up to 200lbs of tongue weight. With each of the Lectric 3.0 e-bikes weighing roughly 60lbs without the battery you will…

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Answer 12

Hey Dave, so the best option for carrying your carbon frame bike and e-bike is the Swagman Escapee part #S39SR with the ramp #S59SR . It has the capacity for carrying an e-bike, is rated for travel trailer use, only touches the bikes by the tires…

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Bike Rack Recommendation for 4 Bikes on a 2016 Subaru Outback Wagon

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