Recommended Hitch Mounted 3 Bike Platform Rack for 2018 Subaru Forester

Published 08/28/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Kuat Transfer V2 Bike Rack for 3 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount

(314)

$649.00

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(566)

$186.59

Question:

For your 2018 Subaru Forester, the Curt hitch that meets your criteria and is a confirmed fit is the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # C13144 and will work great for a 3 bike rack. For a 3 bike carrier, I recommend going with a platform rack because it supports the bikes by the wheels. The Saris 3 bike was discontinued, but the Kuat Transfer # KU24FR is a similar choice that will also make loading easy due to the design where you can walk in between the rack to load the first and second bikes. Securing the bikes by the wheels is also easy with this design because the ratcheting hooks are easy to secure from this location. I prefer platform racks over hanging racks because there is limited frame contact...in this case no frame contact...and no bike adapter bars are needed to transport bikes level.

asked by: Jim H

Helpful Expert Reply:

For your 2018 Subaru Forester, the Curt hitch that meets your criteria and is a confirmed fit is the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # C13144 and will work great for a 3 bike rack.

For a 3 bike carrier, I recommend going with a platform rack because it supports the bikes by the wheels. The Saris 3 bike was discontinued, but the Kuat Transfer # KU24FR is a similar choice that will also make loading easy due to the design where you can walk in between the rack to load the first and second bikes. Securing the bikes by the wheels is also easy with this design because the ratcheting hooks are easy to secure from this location.

I prefer platform racks over hanging racks because there is limited frame contact...in this case no frame contact...and no bike adapter bars are needed to transport bikes level.

expert reply by: Jason S

Jim

8/28/2017

Jason S.

8/28/2017

Based on the information you gave, I recommend the Kuat Transfer 3 Bike Platform Rack # KU24FR. As you stated, it is a little heavier than a hanging rack, but I believe the platform style rack will be much easier to use to load your bikes. It does way 51 lbs, but once installed, it has really nice folding and tilting features using a foot lever instead of a hand lever allowing you to use both hands to control the load. The design allows you to step in the middle just like that Saris rack, but you won't need to lift bikes as high to get them into the cradles and you can secure one wheel at a time. This rack is definitely one of our most popular racks with customers for ease of use and durability.