Recommendation for a Trailer Hitch for a 2015 Nissan Altima

Updated 12/27/2016 | Published 12/26/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Hitch Adapter 1-1/4" to 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver

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$90.42

Question:

I have a bike rack for my truck that has a 2inch hitch. I want to use this same bike rack for 2015 Nissan Altima. Can you recommend a 2inch hitch mount for a Nissan 2015 Altima so I can use this bike rack on my car as well?

asked by: Steven F

Expert Reply:

I have a trailer hitch that will fit your 2015 Nissan Altima. I recommend the Draw-Tite Sport Frame Hitch # 24796. The Draw-Tite hitch is custom-fit for your Altima like the other brands hitches we carry, but the Draw-Tite hitch will not need the extra stabilization strap the other hitches require when using a non-tow-able accessory, like a bike rack.

The Draw-Tite hitch is a Class I hitch with a 1-1/4 inch receiver opening. Unfortunately, there are no 2 inch trailer hitches available for a 2015 Nissan Altima.

For you to use the 2 inch bike rack that you use on your truck, you will need to use the hitch adapter # HTAD. The adapter will mount in the 1-1/4 inch tube of the Draw-Tite hitch and the 2 inch bike rack will mount in the other end.

However, there are a couple of issues you need to be aware of when using a hitch adapter. The first is that the adapter will extend the length of your hitch. This added length will set your bike rack farther away from your vehicle and in turn shorten the clearance between the bike rack and anything behind it. Second, and most important, a hitch adapter will decrease your tongue weight capacity by half. In other words, if your trailer hitch has a tongue weight capacity of 200 lbs, when using an adapter that capacity will drop to 100 lbs.

You could use a 2 bike rack that fits the 1-1/4 inch receiver opening instead of the adapter. I recommend the Thule Camber 2 Bike Rack, # TH9058. The Thule Roadway has a capacity of 75 lbs and will work with either 1-1/4 or 2 inch receiver hitches. The rack weighs only 33 lbs and this rack is cost effective compared to the other 2 bike racks that will fit the 1-1/4 hitch.

I have linked videos showing how to install the Draw-Tite hitch and a review of the Thule bike rack.