2020 Lexus RX 450h Platform Bike Rack With Swing Away Capability

Question:

Can you recommend a hitch platform bike rack for a 2020 Lexus RX 450h? The rack must accommodate two bikes and, ideally, be lightweight. An additional benefit would be to have the unit swing-away so that the rear door hatch could be opened while the bikes are on the vehicle. Lastly, any thoughts on whether the camera or any of the car’s safety features would need to be disabled while using the rack? Many thanks!

asked by: Sandy

Helpful Expert Reply:

I can recommend a hitch platform rack for your 2020 Lexus RX 450h. If you want a swing away hitch platform bike rack you will suffer a weight penalty. The adapter you need to enable your rack to swing away will add anywhere from 36lbs to 45lbs of additional weight.

My recommendation for a light weight hitch platform bike rack is the Kuat NV 2.0 Base Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount - Matte Black, part # SH22G. This rack weighs 32lbs and it has a maximum weight limit of 40lbs per bike. This rack can be tilted away from the vehicle, when empty or when in use. It holds bikes by the wheels, so it is perfect for carrying carbon bikes. This hitch bike rack will never touch the frame of the bikes you transport. It comes with an anti-rattle hitch bolt that eliminates movement between the hitch bike rack and the hitch receiver. You can lock this rack to your vehicle while locking your bikes to the rack, for great security.

If the tilt away feature does not give you as much access to the rear of your vehicle as you would like you can add an adapter. While Kuat does make an adapter, I am going to recommend the Yakima BackSwing Swing Away Hitch Extender for Bike Racks - 2" Hitches, part # Y02483, because it is lighter in weight. This swing away adapter will add an additional 35lbs of weight to your hitch rack. It has a weight capacity of 250lbs, which includes the weight of the bike rack you attach to it and the bikes you carry. Any adapter you add will reduce the maximum tongue weight on your vehicle by 50%. This adapter will swing away from your vehicle toward the passenger side, where it can lock into place.

I have included product description links and video review links below.

expert reply by: Mark Smith