Draw-Tite # 75784 Hitch and Swagman XTC4 Bike Rack Compatibility on 2011 Acura RDX

Question:

Hi, I purchased a draw-tite 2inch hitch and Swagman XTC-4 bike rack for my 2011 Acura RDX. Unfortunately, I dont quite have clearance with the rear bumper to fold the bike rack up to the 90-degree position when not in use. To remedy this, I assume I can get a Curt hitch extender? If so, which one do you recommend? I know this reduces the towing capacity, but I assume Id still be able to carry 4 bikes on the rack safely? Thanks.

asked by: Joshua D

Expert Reply:

The 2-inch Draw-Tite Hitch we offer for your 2011 Acura RDX is part # 75784 which has a rated tongue weight capacity of 400-lbs. You are correct that any extender/adapter used in this hitch will reduce its capacity by half. This means that your hitch-and-extender would have a tongue weight rating of only 200-lbs.

Since the Swagman XTC4 4-Bike Carrier # S64665 itself weighs 59-lbs, your net load capacity for your bikes would be only 141-lbs. This 35-lbs-per-bike may be enough for your 4 bikes but you will need to verify the actual weight of each one before installing an adapter.

Even if your total bike/rack weight is under 200-lbs I strongly urge you to use some sort of load stabilizing strap or tie down to help support the loaded rack's weight and to control some of the additional random motion that is inevitable when an additional connection point is introduced into the system. We offer # 18050 from Curt but there are also ratcheting tie downs available such as the # E01418 from Erickson.
If the bikes are of varying weights, load the heaviest bikes first, closest to the vehicle.

A better and safer long-term solution is a new 4-bike hitch-mount carrier with the clearance you need. This will let you retain the full capacity of the hitch. The linked articles will help.