Recommended Bike Rack for a 1-1/4 Inch Hitch and a 2 Inch Hitch

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Question:

My car has 1 1/4 hitch and my husband/family car has a 2 inch hitch. We have decided to purchase the 2 hitch Yakima ramp up bike rack for our e-bikes. However, can I use the rack on my car which has 1 1/4 hitch if we purchase a 1 1/4 to 2 inch seven inch extender? I would like to use the bike on my car as well. Thank you

asked by: Eileen H

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Expert Reply:

I have a couple of possible solutions for you but you won't be able to carry the Yakima OnRamp Bike Rack item # Y36FR with your 1-1/4" hitch if you use an extender/adapter. Those adapters reduce your hitch's capacity by 50%.

The first option is to purchase the 1-1/4" version of the Yakima OnRamp Bike Rack item # Y96FR so it fits your car and using the Brophy Hitch Reducer item # HT02 will allow it to fit your husbands 2" receiver. The benefit of using the reducer over the adapter is that it doesn't cut your hitches capacity in half. This option only works if the 1-1/4" hitch is a class II. It looks like you have a 2014 Outback. All of our 1-1/4" hitches for that vehicle are class II so you should be good.

Both the Yakima OnRamp Bike Rack 2" Hitches item # Y36FR and for 1-1/4" hitches item # Y96FR have the same capacities and features.

The second option is to use a bike rack that will fit both class I and II 1-1/4" and 2" hitch receivers without an adapter or reducer. The best one would be the Thule Easy Fold XT item # TH903202. It has a 65 lbs per bike and weighs only 50 lbs. This rack also has a ramp that pulls out to make loading/unloading easier, comes with locks, and has rise built into the shank to give it a higher ground clearance.

The straps included with the bike rack will fit tires up to 3" wide. If your tires are larger you will need the Fat Bike Straps for Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack item # TH985101.

expert reply by: Jerred H

0

Answer 1

The Yakima BackSwing #Y02483 and Kuat Pivot 2 #PVP20B are both great designs but I prefer the Pivot 2 because it's slightly easier to use and it can open up more than 90 degrees if the need arises. I've installed and used both, and…

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Answer 2

The Kuat Pivot Swing Away Hitch Adapter part #PVP20B can be used with your Thule EasyFold part #TH903202 and will give the rack the ability to swing out and away from the vehicle so that you can access the cargo area. I attached a picture that…

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Answer 3

The ratcheting hooks on the Thule T2 Pro XTR 2 Bike Platform Rack #TH83JV can likely be adjusted enough forward of the fender to clamp onto the front tire of your Biktrix Stunner LT since the fender doesn't look to extend too far. With that…

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Answer 4

The shank on the RockyMounts BackStage, part #RKY10002 has the following dimensions from the center of the hitch pin hole: To the end of the shank: 2-1/2 inches To the nearest part of the carrier when folded down: 9-1/2 inches To the nearest part…

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Answer 5

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 6

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 7

Yes, you can install a Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C11433 on your 2019 Chevrolet Spark. This receiver is capable of supporting up to 200lbs of tongue weight. With each of the Lectric 3.0 e-bikes weighing roughly 60lbs without the battery you will…

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Answer 8

To me it makes the most sense to put a Bike Rack #HLY64FR on the flat towed vehicle rather than above the tow bars. Especially on heavy e-bikes as they are difficult to lift that high onto the rack, but also as it only makes sense to have the rack on…

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Answer 9

The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 #SH22G and the NV 2.0 #NV22G that you referenced are both excellent platform-style racks that will hold your bikes by the front wheels with no frame contact. These are top-of-the-line carriers and you really would not go wrong…

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Answer 10

Class I and Class II hitches both have a 1-1/4 inch receiver opening. The difference is that a Class I hitch has a lower tongue weight rating, usually 200 pounds and a lower towing rating, usually 2,000 pounds. A Class II hitch usually has a tongue…

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Answer 11

Hey Dave, so the best option for carrying your carbon frame bike and e-bike is the Swagman Escapee part #S39SR with the ramp #S59SR . It has the capacity for carrying an e-bike, is rated for travel trailer use, only touches the bikes by the tires…

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Answer 12

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Recommended Bike Rack for a 1-1/4 Inch Hitch and a 2 Inch Hitch

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