Can 4-Bikes be Carried on a 2015 Subaru Forester with Factory 1-1/4 Inch Trailer Hitch

Updated 03/06/2017 | Published 03/03/2017

Question:

I have a 2015 Subaru Forester with a 1 1/4 inch OEM hitch. Im not sure if its class 1 or 2 and theres no sticker on the hitch receiver that indicates this. The center of the pin hole on the hitch receiver is 1/2 inch from the end and the overall length of the receiver is 4 1/2 inches. I have a Thule Hitching Post Pro 4 bike rack that has a 2 inch shank. The center of the pin hole is 2 1/2 inches from the end of the shank. The Thule says that only 2 bikes can be carried if a 1 1/4 inch receiver is used. Is there a 1 1/4 inch to 2 inch hitch adaptor that will work in this situation?

asked by: W. H

Expert Reply:

The 2-bike limit for the Hitching Post Pro # TH934XTR is if it is used in a Class I hitch. It can still hold 4 bikes if used on a Class II hitch. But the hitch on your 2015 Subaru Forester is a Class I and the use of an adapter will not allow you to carry 4 bikes. It will actually make things worse because the use of an adapter will reduce the tongue weight capacity of the hitch by 50 percent.

The factory Subaru hitch is a problem because the pin hole is so close to the end of the receiver. Most bike racks cannot be used because not enough of the bike rack shank can fit into the receiver because of the shallow pin hole location.

So the options that you have are to use a different bike rack that is compatible but you would still be limited to 2 bikes maximum or replace the factory hitch with an aftermarket one that doesn't have all the restrictions that the factory hitch has. As long as the factory hitch is not welded on. But if it is bolted on it can be removed and a new one installed.

If you can and want to go with a different hitch the most cost-effective option is # 36523. This is a Class II hitch so it can handle 4 bikes and your Hitching Post Pro bike rack.

expert reply by: Michael H