Fit of Thule TH9056 Camber Bike Rack on 2017 Toyota Sienna With Rear Back Up Camera

Question:

We are a family of four and need a bike rack to secure to a 2inch hitch. It will carry one mens bike, one womens bike, and 2 kidsfoot bikes. We have a backup camera and are wondering how the hitch-mounted rack will affect the backup camera. Also, will it be necessary to purchase adjustment bars to carry the bikes or is there a rack out there that is able to accommodate without a special attachment? are the bar attachments more about ease or necessity? thanks!

asked by: Amanda C

Helpful Expert Reply:

Actually, the Thule Camber # TH9056 bike rack you'd looked at would work well for carrying the bikes you mentioned.

For the man's bike and the boy's bike you won't need a frame adapter bar like # TH982XT as long as you have at least 13 inches of space on the top bike frame tube (between the handlebar gooseneck and the seat post). If the women's bike has a deep step through frame, you'll definitely need an adapter bar, but even if you have an angled top tube it'll probably be a good idea so the bike's carried level and your ground clearance is preserved. For the girls bike, you'll likely get by without the adapter as long as there's at least the 13 inches of space available on the down tube. The bike will be carried at an angle, but since it's a child's bike it won't be long enough to compromise ground clearance.

As far as the camera goes, it's hard to say for certain how much the bikes and rack will interfere with the camera, as there's many variables involved, but I can provide some dimensions that will give you a good idea of where the rack will sit.

The highest point of the bike rack will sit about 36-1/2 inches above the centerline of the hitch, and the closest bike will be roughly 12 inches rearward from the hitch pin hole. This is pretty much smack dab in front of the camera, but typically between the camera and the rear view mirrors you'll still be able to back the vehicle safely.

expert reply by: Mike L