Trailer Hitch and 4 Bike Rack Recommendation for 2017 Toyota Sienna

Updated 07/28/2020 | Published 03/05/2019

Products Featured in This Question

etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"

(677)

$204.56

etrailer Ball Mount Kit for 2" Hitches - 7,500 lbs

(1382)

$95.20

Thule Apex Swing XT Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Swing Away

(221)

$699.95

Kuat Ubar Bike Frame Adapter Bar for Women's and Alternative Frame Bikes

(132)

$49.00

Question:

Thanks for that great reply! I already have a Yakima Full Swing but will look into that adapter for my wife. If I did want to tow with my sienna, is there a weight recommendation? I won’t tow a boat, but may get a small trailer for my Boy Scout troop. Would then need a wiring harness as well.

asked by: Robert S

Expert Reply:

Using a hitch mounted bike rack or cargo carrier isn't technically towing so if your owners manual say "no towing" that doesn't mean you couldn't use a hitch rack. The trailer hitch I recommend for your 2017 Toyota Sienna is the etrailer.com hitch part # E98853 which is a 2 inch hitch that has a concealed crosstube that allows it to be less visible. 2 inch hitches have higher capacities than 1-1/4 inch hitches which will be very helpful when carrying a 4 bike rack as they can be on the heavier side. I attached a picture of what this hitch looks like installed as well as an install video for more info too.

My favorite bike rack to recommend is the Thule Apex Swing # TH9027XT because it can carry up to 4 bikes and can swing out and away from the rear of the vehicle to give you complete access to the rear cargo area with bikes loaded. The arms of the rack can also fold down when not in use so that the bike rack doesn't take up much space as well. Check out the review video I attached for more info on this rack as well. The video shows the rack test fit on a 2018 Toyota Sienna just like yours.

If you plan on carrying any womens or alternative framed bikes without horizontal top tubes you may also be interested in purchasing a Kuat Bike Frame Adapter Bar # UB01 to provide a horizontal top tube on your bikes to provide an attachment point. I attached a review video for this product also. This will allow the bikes to be carried more level and will provide more ground clearance.

expert reply by: Jameson C

click to enlarge

Robert S.

3/5/2019

Jameson C.

3/5/2019

Looks like your 2017 Toyota Sienna has a towing capacity of 3500 lb so you'd need to keep the weight of the trailer under that. For trailer wiring you'd then want the part # 118648 for a custom fit harness that's easy to install. Since you plan on doing some towing you might be interested in etrailer ball mount kit # 989900. It comes with 2 ball mounts; one with a 3/4 inch rise or 2 inch drop and one with a 2-3/4 inch rise or 4 inch drop. It also includes a 1-7/8 inch ball, 2 inch ball, hitch pin with clip, and a storage bag. If the ball mount kit does not include a ball mount with the right rise or drop to tow the trailer level, check out the link I have included that explains how to measure to choose a ball mount to tow the trailer level.

Joseph H.

7/17/2020

Since the xle & Limitied AWD doesn't have the tow package (unlike all the other Sienna models, so weird...) can we still really tow 3500lb? Will we need to be careful of overheating issues or would it be better to only use it for bikes? Thanks!

Chris R.

7/22/2020

I took a look at the owner's manual for the 2017 Toyota Sienna and it does state that if the van isn't equipped with the tow package, it is not recommended to tow a trailer. So unfortunately you are limited to using the hitch for accessories like a bike rack, cargo carrier, etc.

Joseph H.

7/22/2020

@ChrisR Bummer, thanks for checking!