Recommended Bike Rack for a 1-1/4 Inch Hitch and a 2 Inch Hitch

Question:

My car has 1 1/4 hitch and my husband/family car has a 2 inch hitch. We have decided to purchase the 2 hitch Yakima ramp up bike rack for our e-bikes. However, can I use the rack on my car which has 1 1/4 hitch if we purchase a 1 1/4 to 2 inch seven inch extender? I would like to use the bike on my car as well. Thank you

asked by: Eileen H

Expert Reply:

I have a couple of possible solutions for you but you won't be able to carry the Yakima OnRamp Bike Rack item # Y36FR with your 1-1/4" hitch if you use an extender/adapter. Those adapters reduce your hitch's capacity by 50%.

The first option is to purchase the 1-1/4" version of the Yakima OnRamp Bike Rack item # Y96FR so it fits your car and using the Brophy Hitch Reducer item # HT02 will allow it to fit your husbands 2" receiver. The benefit of using the reducer over the adapter is that it doesn't cut your hitches capacity in half. This option only works if the 1-1/4" hitch is a class II. It looks like you have a 2014 Outback. All of our 1-1/4" hitches for that vehicle are class II so you should be good.

Both the Yakima OnRamp Bike Rack 2" Hitches item # Y36FR and for 1-1/4" hitches item # Y96FR have the same capacities and features.

The second option is to use a bike rack that will fit both class I and II 1-1/4" and 2" hitch receivers without an adapter or reducer. The best one would be the Thule Easy Fold XT item # TH903202. It has a 65 lbs per bike and weighs only 50 lbs. This rack also has a ramp that pulls out to make loading/unloading easier, comes with locks, and has rise built into the shank to give it a higher ground clearance.

The straps included with the bike rack will fit tires up to 3" wide. If your tires are larger you will need the Fat Bike Straps for Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack item # TH985101.