Carrying 2 Bikes on a Hitch Mounted Bike Rack on a 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack

Updated 02/27/2017 | Published 02/24/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Hitch Adapter 1-1/4" to 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver (Class II Only)

(227)

$47.12

Thule T2 Pro XTR Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Wheel Mount

(166)

$899.95

Question:

I have a thule rack like this: Thule T2 Pro XTS 2 Bike Platform Rack - 2inch Hitches - Tilting - Silver, Thule Hitch Bike Racks, Code: TH9034XTS. I am thinking of purchasing a 2017 Alltrack and would like to have a hitch to support my existing rack that needs a 2inch hitch, the only hitches available for the Golf Alltrack are 1 1/4. Can I use an adapter or will that just add too much play. I only would be carrying up to two bikes.

asked by: Jon B

Expert Reply:

You are correct the hitch receivers for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack, like # 24949, are 1-1/4 inch Class I hitch receivers.

You can use an expander like # 80303. This will provide you with a 2 inch receiver on your Golf Alltrack. However, the hitch has a tongue weight of only 200 pounds and using an adapter will reduce that by 50 percent. So that means your bikes can only weigh a total of only about 50 pounds since the Thule T2 Pro TH9034XTS is 52 pounds.

Instead of using an adapter you may consider replacing the bike rack with the T2 Pro XTR # TH23JV that will fit a Class I hitch receiver.

expert reply by: Charles S