Recommendation for Extending Bike Rack an Extra Inch for Avoiding Handlebar Interference
Updated 06/14/2018 | Published 06/13/2018
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Question:
I need 1 more inch of clearance for my handlebars to not hit the back of my 2011 Toyota Sienna. Can I install the Hold Up on the outermost pin or is that not possible?? Thank you!
asked by: Ali
Expert Reply:
It looks like you have a Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch like # 75237 installed on your 2011 Toyota Sienna. The additional hitch pin hole closer to the receiver is not used. It has a larger hole and a smaller hole. You do not use the smaller hole.
You can use a hitch extender like the Curt # C45791 if you have a 2 inch receiver or the Brophy # HES6 if you have a 1-1/4 inch receiver. This will slide into the hitch and provide you with the additional length needed to clear any potential interference between the handlebars and the rear of the Sienna. The only issue with this solution is that using any hitch-adapter will reduce the hitch's tongue weight capacity by 50 percent. This means that if your hitch has a tongue weight capacity of 350 pounds, this will be reduced to 175 pounds when using the adapter. You would just need to make sure that the combined weight of your bikes and the carrier do not exceed this reduced limit.
Otherwise, if you don't want to add an adapter or you can't due to the weight of your bikes, I recommend seeing if you can switch the bikes you are loading onto the rack if you are transporting more than one. If you have a slightly smaller bike, you can see if loading it onto the first cradles presents the same issue. It is generally recommended to load the heaviest bike onto these cradles that are closest to the vehicle, but if the difference in weight isn't much, you can try this route.
You may also just be able to adjust the handlebars on your bike for transport so that they sit at a different angle and simply tighten them back up correctly when you arrive at the trail.
