Recommended Bike Rack For Curt Hitch on 2024 Toyota Crown

Question:

Kyle - do you or others there have a recommended bike carrier to go with hitch. I have a 2024 Toyota Crown as well.

asked by: Tom V

Expert Reply:

Hey Tom,

There is a bike rack I highly recommend for your 2024 Toyota Crown and the Curt Trailer Hitch # C77ZV, which is the Saris Freedom Bike Rack for 2 Bikes # SA4412B.

What I love about this rack is its unique combination of being easy to handle but also really strong. It weighs a mere 22-1/2 lbs but still has a 60 lb per bike capacity so it'll work even with ebikes. I also really like how it has a shank that rises 8 inches to help ensure it doesn't touch the ground. That rise is pretty important, especially for sedans like your Crown as they sit lower to the ground than vans or SUVs.

The Freedom # SA4412B comes with an anti-rattle hitch pin, but if you like you can use the Anti-Rattle Hitch Lock # SA3022 to lock the rack to your hitch, and the Saris Cable Lock # SA981 to lock your bikes to the rack.

expert reply by: Kyle S

Tom W.

5/28/2024

Thanks Kyle. If possible, please compare your recommended bike rack with the Yakima Stage 2 bike rack Y47VR. I searched the site before and an expert named Bud M recommended it (to someone else). Note that I will likely be hauling 2 e-bikes. Can either if these bike racks be loaded on to the car hitch by one person? Lastly, if I buy the Freedom bike rack, should I get the Anti-rattle hitch lock? Is it difficult to install?

Kyle S.

5/29/2024

@TomW The Yakima StageTwo Bike Rack # Y47VR is great, and a better overall rack than the Freedom, though the tradeoff is its heftier price tag. If you're okay with that, than the StageTwo is the choice, mostly because it is easier to use, installing in the hitch with the twist of a knob. The Freedom isn't difficult to install, but I do recommend the hitch lock you mentioned, and installing it just takes the Ratchet with 3/4" Socket for Anti-Rattle Hitch Bolts # PTW38106-24. So not hard to use, but not as convenient as the StageTwo # Y47VR.