Bike Rack Recommendation with Best Ground Clearance for a 2012 Infiniti G37X

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Thank you for the quick response and informative answer to my question. For my intended usage, I need a hanging bike rack and further searching led me to the Swagman Titan. I intend to use a Thule Tram ski carrier with the bike rack, and according to another answer it should fit a bike rack mast up to 2-1/2-inches wide. Does the Swagman Titan meet that criteria? I am also open to other bike rack suggestions that would meet my needs in a similar or lower price range. I would also like to understand the 2-bike limit on the 1 1/4" receiver (hitch?). Doesn't the amount of bikes it is capable of carrying depend on the total tongue weight, not the quantity of bicycles? I want to be able to carry a combination of children and adult bicycles for short distances, probably no more than 3 miles.

asked by: Jesse

0

Expert Reply:

Since your 2012 Infiniti G37X sits relatively low to the ground it would be beneficial to have a bike rack that has a rise in the shank.

First, if you do not already have a trailer hitch, I recommend Curt hitch # C11499 for a sedan or the # C11493 for a coupe. These are both Class I hitches which means you will need a bike rack that is compatible with a Class I hitch. You are also limited to 2 bikes maximum. And with either of the Curt hitches Curt also says you have to use stabilization strap # 18050 when using this hitch for any non-trailer load (such as a bike rack or cargo carrier) per their warranty requirements.

Out of the compatible bike racks the I would go with the Trailhead, # S63360, I would go with the Trailhead for slightly better ground clearance.

expert reply by: Michael H

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Jesse

11/15/2017

Thank you for the quick response and informative answer to my question. For my intended usage, I need a hanging bike rack and further searching led me to the Swagman Titan. I intend to use a Thule Tram ski carrier with the bike rack, and according to another answer it should fit a bike rack mast up to 2-1/2-inches wide. Does the Swagman Titan meet that criteria? I am also open to other bike rack suggestions that would meet my needs in a similar or lower price range. I would also like to understand the 2-bike limit on the 1 1/4" receiver (hitch?). Doesn't the amount of bikes it is capable of carrying depend on the total tongue weight, not the quantity of bicycles? I want to be able to carry a combination of children and adult bicycles for short distances, probably no more than 3 miles.

Reply

Michael H.

11/16/2017

The Swagman Titan # S63400 may have the proper mast width but it hasn't been tested with the Tram ski adapter # TH9033. That would lead to potential warranty issues for either product should there be a problem. To avoid all of that I recommend the Thule Camber # TH9058 which is compatible with the Tram. The 2-bike limit is on Class I, 1-1/4 inch hitches. There are also Class II, 1-1/4 inch hitches that do not have that restriction but none that will fit your G37. Basically the problem isn't the weight of the bikes and rack it is how far that weight is from the receiver. A third and subsequent bikes put weight too far from the receiver which puts a lot of leverage at the point of the receiver. It is like using a long wrench or cheater bar to loosen a lug nut. This will lead to damage of the hitch and vehicle. You could carry three bikes by using a trunk mount bike rack, see link, but the Tram is not compatible with trunk mount bike racks so you would have to carry skis on the roof which would require a roof rack and ski carrier or box.

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Bike Rack Recommendation with Best Ground Clearance for a 2012 Infiniti G37X

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