Do Bike Racks With A Tool-Free Installation Work With Trailer Hitch Reducers

Question:

Hi, I am interested in the yakima stagetwo bike rack but I am wondering how its integrated/tool free hitch attachment works for a 2.5 hitch. I have a standard sleave that i put on other hitch mounted carriers but they all attach with standard bolt instead of fancy tool free attachment. If yakimas version doesnt work do any of the other brands like Thule or Kuat tool free work with a sleeve?

asked by: Sean B

Expert Reply:

Hey Sean,

The tool-free installations of Yakima, Thule, and Kuat all pinch the rack against the receiver tube. With you having a reducer the rack would clamp to the reducer and there'd be nothing to clamp the reducer to the receiver tube of the hitch without installing a hitch pin. Both Thule and Yakima's designs won't allow for a separate hitch pin so you'll need to go with a Kuat rack like the NV 2.0 # NV22B or # NV22G.

The NV 2.0 will come with a hitch pin and an anti-rattle knob to press up against the reducer. If the reducer has any play at all you'll still have play with the rack as well unfortunately. I've attached a short video below where Evangeline will walk you through the features of this rack. If you still have questions or have other wants/needs out of your bike rack then let me know and I can look for the best fit for your setup.

expert reply by: Kevin C