Compatibility of Thule Apex Swing TH9026XT With Hitch Installed on Honda Odyssey

Question:

I have Honda Odyssey with 2-inch hitch but I noticed on the insatllation paperwork it is checked off as a class II hitch rather than III as I supposed. Can I use the 4 bike Thule Hitch Bike Rack - TH9027XT? The tongue weight is listed as 300 lbs. Is it the swing feature that causes it to be listed as class III? thanks

asked by: Brock :

Expert Reply:

If the hitch has a 2 inch by 2 inch receiver opening (inside dimension), it should be a Class III hitch, use a tape measure to confirm. I suspect the guy that installed your hitch might have been exposed to too many paint fumes and checked the wrong box on the paperwork.

If you do indeed have a 2 inch receiver, the Thule Apex Swing you referred to, part # TH9026XT would work just fine for you. The rack is listed as being compatible with Class III hitches because it's only compatible with hitches that have a 2 inch receiver.

If you'll be carrying women's bikes or bikes with sharply angled top tubes, you might benefit from using a Frame Adapter Bar like part # 64005. The adapter bar spans the distance between the handlebar gooseneck and the seat post, providing a level spot for the bike rack to connect. If the bike is more or less level, you'll have better ground clearance.

expert reply by: Mike L