Bike Rack for 2018 Ford Explorer with Factory 1-1/4-inch Hitch That Also Fits 2-Inch Hitch  

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The factory-installed 1-1/4-inch hitch on your 2018 Ford Explorer is welded into the vehicle bumper structure and it cannot be removed or replaced. For the Explorer without this factory hitch there are three models of aftermarket 2-inch hitch that bolt on. These are the etrailer hitch # e98867, the Draw-Tite # 76034 and the Curt hitch # C13386.

What you can do is leave the existing factory hitch in place and select a hitch bike rack that is compatible with both this 1-1/4-inch hitch and the 2-inch hitch on your other vehicle. Not all racks can fit both sizes of hitch but we do offer many that can, including the Thule EasyFold 2-bike platform rack # TH903202 that you were reviewing.

The EasyFold packs a lot of features and flexibility into a stylish and well-engineered product. In addition to compatibility with Class I, Class II and Class III hitches, the EasyFold offers a high bike weight capacity of 65-lbs per bike; it features a loading ramp which is great for handling heavier e-bikes and which stows on the rack when not in use; it handles wider tires up to 3-inches and bike wheelbases up to 48-inches; and it has a foot-operated tilt mechanism for convenient access to the back of the Explorer.

Perhaps best of all, the EasyFold lives up to its name by folding to a very compact size and thanks to the built-in handle and wheels it is easily moved to your storage spot. The rack includes locks for the rack itself and for your two bikes. All in all, this rack is a benchmark product that is protected by Thule's legendary after-sale service and their limited lifetime warranty.

If you absolutely love your current 2-inch bike rack it is possible to use it in the smaller 1-1/4-inch hitch on the Explorer by using a hitch adapter # HT5R. This adapter fits the smaller hitch and provides a 2-inch receiver opening for the rack. It also gives you improved ground clearance thanks to its 5-inches of rise.

The only thing about adapters is that they all cost you half of your hitch's rated capacity since they move the actual load further away, increasing leverage on the hitch. You'll want to check the safety sticker on the factory hitch to confirm its tongue weight rating; also check the combined weight of your rack and both bikes to ensure that total is within the reduce hitch rating. The other bad thing about adapters is that they tend to allow for more motion of the rack as you drive; this can be addressed with support straps like # 18050.

expert reply by: Adam R

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