Adding Tail Lights To A Thule T2 Pro

Question:

We will be driving long distances with our e-bikes and I want to add a taillight kit. Which light kit works best for this bike rack on a 2016 Subaru Outback? How do you connect it to the cars system?

asked by: Sharon P

Expert Reply:

One of the unintended consequences of carrying bikes on a hitch bike rack is that sometimes the bikes and the rack cover the rear lights of your vehicle. I do have an option to address that issue. It is very straightforward and involves no alchemy of any kind, i.e. drilling into your rack. This means your racks warranty will not be affected. It will require is to purchase a dual hitch adapter.

I recommend the Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter for Tow Bars - 2" Hitches - 2-1/4" Rise/Drop, part # RM-077-2. It only provides a 2 1/4" of rise and drop, so you do not have worry about bottoming out your hitch receiver. The extra rise is also minimal, so it will not terribly affect the loading and unloading of your e-bikes. Do keep in mind that adding an adapter does reduce the maximum tongue weight of your hitch receiver by 50%, but all of our hitch receiver options for your vehicle have a maximum tongue weight of 600lbs. Reducing that to 300lbs will not really affect carrying your e-bikes.

The last item you will need is the Light-Up Trailer Hitch Receiver Cover - Brake, Tail, Turn - 2" Hitches, part # CR-007. This item will plug into the lower most hitch receiver on your adapter. It plugs into your vehicle's 4-pole plug.

You will need two additional hitch pins, one for the adapter and another for the cover.

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

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expert reply by: Mark Smith