Recommended Trailer Hitch And Hitch-Mounted Bike Carrier For 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

Question

Question:

I have a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, and I am looking for both a hitch and a high-mounted bike rack that fits at least 3 bikes. Well be using the bike rack only occasionally when we go camping, and since the back of the car will be loaded a swing-away rack would be best. After doing a bit of research on your site I am thinking about the Curt 2inch hitch and the Thule Apex swing-away rack. Can you tell me please if thats a good match for my Santa Fe, and if the rack will fully clear the back of the car when its swung open? Thanks,

asked by: Gino S

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Expert Reply:

The trailer hitch I recommend for your 2013 Santa Fe is the Draw-Tite Max-Frame, part # 75772. This is a Class lll hitch and it has a 2 inch receiver opening.

The reason I choose this hitch is because of the distance from the center of the hitch pin hole to the back of the rear bumper of 4-1/2 inches. This is 1 inch more than the distance of 5-1/2 inches found when the Curt hitch, part # C13152 is installed. The # 75772 also has and additional inch of height from the ground to the top of the receiver opening when compared to the Curt.

The Thule Apex, part # TH9027 is a great bike rack and would work well at the back of your Santa Fe. This bike rack has a distance of 3-inches from the center of the hitch pin hole to the closest edge of the anti-rattle box. With the taper of the rear bumper you can see that there is about an inch clearance between the bike rack and the bumper when installed. I have attached a link to a product review video for this bike rack on a Santa Fe you can take a look at. Aside form the swinging function with a loaded rack, this bike rack also features locks to secure the rack to the vehicle and the bikes to the rack.

If you are concerned about the inch clearance at the back of your vehicle with the Apex, another option is the Thule Vertex, part # TH9031XT. As the attached video shows, this bike rack has plenty of clearance from the back of the 2013 Santa Fe it is installed on and completely clears the back of the vehicle when it is swung to the side. The great thing about this rack is you do not have to unload the bikes to use the swing function.

If you are planning on carrying bikes with alternative frames like kids bikes or women's bikes I recommend using an adapter bar like part # 64005. This attaches between the seat post and the handlebar stem and allows the bike to be carried more level in the carrier while providing additional ground clearance. I have attached a product review video for this adapter bar.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L

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