Recommended Trailer Hitch Receiver for 2015 Lexus IS 250 for a Bike Rack and Light Trailer

Question

Question:

I recommend the Draw-Tite trailer hitch receiver, part # 24923, for your 2015 Lexus IS 250. It's confirmed to fit both the sedan or convertible models. The hitch is a Class I, 1-1/4 inch receiver so you need to make sure the bike rack you use fits the Class I. The bike rack I recommend is the very popular Thule T2 Pro XTR, part # TH23JV. The T2 is a platfrom rack that carries up to 2 bikes at 50 pounds each. it can be folded up out of the way when you're not using it as well as tilted away from the Lexus when you need acccess to the trunk. It also includes a lock to secure the rack to your car. If you want to add a matching lock to secure the bikes to the rack you can use part # TH450200 for two matching lock cores; one for the bikes and one to repalce the existing core for the rack's lock. Since you mentioned you might be towing a light trailer at some point in the future the recommended ball mount for your Lexus with the Draw-Tite hitch is part # 3594. The pin and clip is included but you need a hitch ball that fits. If the trailer uses a 2 inch ball use part # 19258 or if it uses a 1-7/8 inch ball use part # 19256. Then for a wiring harness to power the trailer's lights use part # C56142.

asked by: Nicole

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Expert Reply:

I recommend the Draw-Tite trailer hitch receiver, part # 24923, for your 2015 Lexus IS 250. It's confirmed to fit both the sedan or convertible models. The hitch is a Class I, 1-1/4 inch receiver so you need to make sure the bike rack you use fits the Class I.

The bike rack I recommend is the very popular Thule T2 Pro XTR, part # TH23JV. The T2 is a platfrom rack that carries up to 2 bikes at 50 pounds each. it can be folded up out of the way when you're not using it as well as tilted away from the Lexus when you need acccess to the trunk. It also includes a lock to secure the rack to your car. If you want to add a matching lock to secure the bikes to the rack you can use part # TH450200 for two matching lock cores; one for the bikes and one to repalce the existing core for the rack's lock.

Since you mentioned you might be towing a light trailer at some point in the future the recommended ball mount for your Lexus with the Draw-Tite hitch is part # 3594. The pin and clip is included but you need a hitch ball that fits. If the trailer uses a 2 inch ball use part # 19258 or if it uses a 1-7/8 inch ball use part # 19256. Then for a wiring harness to power the trailer's lights use part # C56142.

expert reply by: Charles S

0

Nicole

6/22/2018

I recommend the Draw-Tite trailer hitch receiver, part # 24923, for your 2015 Lexus IS 250. It's confirmed to fit both the sedan or convertible models. The hitch is a Class I, 1-1/4 inch receiver so you need to make sure the bike rack you use fits the Class I. The bike rack I recommend is the very popular Thule T2 Pro XTR, part # TH23JV. The T2 is a platfrom rack that carries up to 2 bikes at 50 pounds each. it can be folded up out of the way when you're not using it as well as tilted away from the Lexus when you need acccess to the trunk. It also includes a lock to secure the rack to your car. If you want to add a matching lock to secure the bikes to the rack you can use part # TH450200 for two matching lock cores; one for the bikes and one to repalce the existing core for the rack's lock. Since you mentioned you might be towing a light trailer at some point in the future the recommended ball mount for your Lexus with the Draw-Tite hitch is part # 3594. The pin and clip is included but you need a hitch ball that fits. If the trailer uses a 2 inch ball use part # 19258 or if it uses a 1-7/8 inch ball use part # 19256. Then for a wiring harness to power the trailer's lights use part # C56142.

Reply

Charles S.

6/22/2018

Installing the hitch isn't too difficult for anyone who is somewhat mechanically inclined. It does require the muffler to be temporarily removed and the heat shield to be modified but those are the most difficult steps. I've linked the install details for you. If you're not comfortable doing it I recommend having a shop do the install. Any reputable mechanic should have no issue. With that being said carrying 3 bikes on a hitch mounted rack is an issue. Class I hitches are all that are available for your Lexus and a Class I hitch is only rated to carry up to 2 bikes. To carry all three bikes you might be best off putting them in a trailer and using the ball mount I recommended. To carry them directly with the vehicle you need either a trunk mount rack or a roof rack instead. If your IS 250 is the 4-door model we have roof racks to fit. I recommend the Yakima JetStream system using teh 50 inch bars # Y00425, BaseLine towers # Y28TR, and BaseClips # Y06175 and # Y06159. Then add 3 bike carriers that attach to the crossbars. I like the RockyMounts TomaHawk, part # RKY1222, because of the wide vareity of bikes that fit it. If you'd rather go with a trunk mount the cost will be significatly less. The rack that fits depends on which model of IS 250 you have. If you have the 4-door sedan I recommend the Yakima FullBack, part # Y02633. It's a high quality carrier that includes locks for the bikes and a security strap for the rack. If it's a 2-door but not a convertible then I like the Thlue Gateway Pro part # TH78VR. It also has locks and has Thule's Hold Fast cradles and FitDial system. The cradles are great for the bikes and the FitDial makes it much easier to mount on a your Lexus. Finally, if you do have the convertible model then I recommend the Hollywood Racks Over-the-Top, part # HRF2-3. This rack is great for vehicles that have an issue with a lot of trunk mount racks, especially convertibles and hatchbacks. It has a high-rise frame and multiple options for the straps to be secured. I've linked videos of each of the trunk mount racks for you to take a look at.

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