Recommended Trailer Hitch for Rear Mounted Bike Rack for 2014 Subaru Forester  

Question:

Expert Reply:

I recommend the Curt Class III hitch, part # C13144. This Class III trailer hitch is rated for up to 3,500 pounds of gross trailer weight and 525 pounds of tongue weight. Curt recommends the use of a stabilizing strap on all non-trailer loads, like part # 18050. If you will be using this hitch for accessories note that the receiver opening is 2 inches by 2 inches.

The Curt # C13144 is an excellent choice for use with a high-capacity bike carrier such as the Thule Hitching Post Pro # TH934XTR. I have linked a brief video showing this carrier in use on a Subaru Outback.

If you wish to lock the carrier to your hitch you can use Thule part # THSTL2 which is a combination anti-rattle device and hitch lock.

You can check the fit of this or any other hitch-mount bike carrier before ordering by taking one simple measurement of the hitch once its installed on your Forester. Measure from the center of the hitch pin hole back to the rear-most part of the vehicle. As long as this distance is less than 11-7/8-inches then the Thule Hitching Post Pro 4 will clear the back of your Forester.

We provide this same measurement for all hitch-mount bike carriers. The linked article will show you how to take this measurement. Once you know your vehicle clearance requirement you can confidently select from among all carriers that provide that necessary room. The article includes a table of all 2-inch hitch-mount carriers and the clearance each one provides from the hitch pin hole.

To carry women's bikes or bikes with sharply angled top tubes or step-through frames, using a frame adapter like part # TH982XT is recommended. The adapter spans the distance between the seat post and the handle bar gooseneck, and provides a level attachment point to the bike rack so the bike has greater ground clearance and is not carried at an angle.

expert reply by: Chris O

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