Best Bike Rack for a Class I 1-1/4" Hitch on a 2007 Subaru Impreza
Question:
I believe I have the Curt C11318 hitch receiver installed on my Subaru Impreza 2007 model. I had a local shop install it and they told me that the receiver could support 200lbs of vertical weight that decreases 25 for each foot you go away from the hitch. I was wanting to transport 2 36ish lbs mountain bikes using a platform bike rack my husband is worried about the bike frame getting messed up with a different kind of bike rack. I was looking to use the 1up quik rack with an add on rack. Together the rack combo weighs 41lbs and the bikes weigh around 72lbs bringing the combined weight to 113lbs. Based on the 1up diagram, the furthest bike would be around 24 inches away from the hitch. Now my question is, will the receiver support this setup? Im not clear if the 25 of the weight limitation is 25 of the original weight or the reduced weight as you go away from the hitch. Plus, the total weight is not all at 2 feet, itll be distributed along the 2 feet. Does that matter? If this setup doesnt work, is there one you can recommend? Most of the platform bike racks Ive seen weigh at least 41 lbs and I cant find diagrams of how far the bikes stick out on most of the ones online. Thanks!
asked by: Christy
Expert Reply:
The Curt C11318 hitch does have a 200 lbs. tongue weight (vertical weight capacity). It also has a 1-1/4" receiver opening. These are the two biggest things to keep in mind when finding a bike rack for your 2 bikes. Your weight isn't going to be decreased by the length of a bike rack unless you are using a hitch extender or some other hitch adapter. Bike racks are designed for use with the hitch and will effect the 200 lb. capacity as a whole. That being said, Curt does recommend using the Curt Cam Buckle Stabilizing Strap for Hitch # 18050 for 1-1/4" hitches when using a bike rack to help stabilize the hitch.
As far as your bike rack set-up goes I can't speak much to the 1UP racks because we do not carry that line of bike rack. The weights that you mentioned are well within the capacity of the C11318 hitch (you would just want to confirm that you're not exceeding your Impreza's weight limits). A bike rack that we have that is compatible with the C11318 hitch is the Kuat Sherpa 2.0 Bike Rack for 2 Bikes # SH12G. This rack is only 32 lbs. and can hold 2 bikes up to 40 lbs. per bike. It is also a platform rack that is a wheel mount so that there is no contact or damage to the bike frames. It also features a tilt design allowing you easier access to rear compartments with the bikes loaded and has a keyed alike hitch and cable lock allowing you secure your bikes to the rack and the rack to your vehicle with locks using the same key.
Products Referenced in This Question
Curt Cam Buckle Stabilizing Strap for Hitch-Mounted Accessories - 61" x 1" - Qty 1
- Accessories and Parts
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Hitch Cargo Carrier
- Tie Down Straps
- CURT
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Product Page this Question was Asked From
Kuat Sherpa 2.0 Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Wheel Mount - Gray
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Platform Rack
- Folding Rack
- Tilt-Away Rack
- Wheel Mount
- Bike and Hitch Lock
- 2 Bikes
- Class 1
- Class 2
- Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Carbon Fiber Bikes
- Kuat
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