Will Thule Speedway 2 Bike Trunk Mounted Bike Rack TH961XT Fit 2009 Toyota RAV4 Without Spare  

Question:

Expert Reply:

According to my contact at Thule the now-discontinued Speedway 2 Bike Trunk Mounted Bike Rack TH961XT is not a fit for your 2009 RAV4 even without the spare tire mount.

A better option for your RAV4 is a hitch-mount carrier that will use the vehicle's frame (its strongest part) to support the weight of the bike rack and loaded bikes, rather than the thin sheet metal of the rear hatch. A hitch also offers you the flexibility to use other hitch-mount items such as cargo baskets, and also to tow a trailer. The RAV4 can tow as much as 2000-lbs when properly equipped - refer to your manual to confirm.

We offer two sizes/classes of hitch for your RAV4, 1-1/4-inch Class II and 2-inch Class III hitches. All can be seen on the link provided. The most cost-effective option is the etrailer # e98864 which is a 1-1/4-inch Class II hitch rated for 300-lbs tongue weight. This is more than enough for most hitch-mount racks including those with more than 2-bike capacity.

The link provided will show you all Class II hanging-style racks that will fit a 1-1/4-inch hitch. You can use the links at the left-hand side of the page to narrow the results by capacity, brand and construction. Some racks include locks while others do not; you can also include this in your preferences. I have also linked articles on hitch racks that will help you determine which will provide the best fit with your vehicle and your bikes, since some bikes such as beach cruisers with their wide handlebars will benefit from more room.

A cost-effective lightweight 2-bike hitch rack that offers generous clearance at the back of the vehicle is the Let's Go Aero NEO2 2-Bike Rack # B01748. You can use lock # e98879 to secure the carrier to your hitch and part # e98891 to lock the bikes to the rack.

expert reply by: Adam R

0