Cargo Carrier and bike rack on 2014 Subaru Outback Wagon

Question:

Have a Subaru Outback 2014 with hitch. Need to transport bike and manual wheel chair. Not necessarily at the same time. I am unable to put anything of the roof as suggested by all others. Need it to be easy to fold and load. If it is not a yes. Can you make any suggestions for my needs?

asked by: Marina

Expert Reply:

The Stromberg CarlsonCargo Carrier # CC-100 will fit any standard 2-inch hitch receiver. Your 2014 Subaru Outback Wagon can be fitted with either a 1-1/4-inch Class II hitch or a 2-inch Class III hitch, so you will want to verify the size of the receiver opening on your hitch to ensure it is the 2-inch size. I have included a link to our main page for hitches, for your reference. Also provided is a video for this cargo carrier.

You will also want to check the safety/warning sticker on your hitch (or your owners manual) to confirm its tongue weight capacity. The tongue weight rating of a hitch is the maximum downward force that it can handle. The various hitches we offer for your vehicle have tongue weight capacities from 300-lbs to as much as 600-lbs. The weight of the cargo carrier you choose plus the weight of the loaded cargo must remain with the tongue weight rating of the hitch. Note also that you must always observe the limit of the lowest-rated component; for example, if your hitch is rated for 300-lbs and your cargo carrier is rated for 450-lbs, the limit for the system is the lower 300-lb figure of the hitch.

You will also want to measure the distance from the hitch pin hole to the rearmost part of the vehicle; this will tell you how much clearance your carrier has to provide in order to clear your rear bumper. The Stromberb Carlson carrier # CC-100 requires 8-inches of clearance from the center of the hitch pin hole when folded up in the storage position. If you measure 8-inches or less from the hitch pin hole to the rear of the bumper then this carrier will fit your Outback Wagon.

We offer a bike rack adapter from Stromberg Carlson part # CC-125 that can be added and removed from your cargo carrier as needed.

You will want some sort of cargo control straps to secure the wheelchair and/or bike. I have included a link to our main page for such items in case you need any. We offer a variety of cargo control products from simple bungee cords to ratcheting straps, such as the Erickson Re-Tractable Ratchet Straps with Push-Button Release, part # EM34415