Will 4 Bikes On a Hitch Bike Rack Fit a 2012 Toyota RAV4 and Clear Rear Spare Tire on the Tailgate

Updated 05/03/2012 | Published 05/02/2012

Products Featured in This Question

Yakima RidgeBack Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting

(230)

$478.95

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

(1508)

$167.44

Question:

Hi, Im looking into buying a new 2012 Toyota RAV4. I see several trailer hitch options, but Im concerned about how a bike rack would work. In other words, wont the spare tire on the tail gate get in the way? Is it possible to dangle 4 bikes off of the back of this vehicle? Thanks

asked by: Chris

Expert Reply:

You can carry 4 bikes on your 2012 Toyota RAV4 if you choose a Class III 2 Inch hitch like the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2" # e98864. The Class III hitch will have a maximum tongue weight capacity of 350 lbs.

To determine if a hitch bike rack will clear your spare tire is to take a measurement on your 2012 Toyota RAV4 from the center hole of the hitch pin hole on the hitch, out to the distance required to clear the spare tire. We have this measurement as you will see in the attached video that this measurement will be about 4 inches.

With that measurement of 4 inches you can now look at hitch bike racks that will have a distance from the center of the hitch pin hole on the bike rack to the closest part of the bike rack and that distance will need to be greater than the inch measurement on the vehicle for it to clear the spare tire.

The Yakima RidgeBack 4 Bike Rack, part # Y02458, that you have referenced has a measurement from the center of the hitch pin hole to the closest upright bar and it is 11-1/2 inches. This bike rack will have enough clearance to clear the spare tire on the rear of your RAV4.

I am including a link to the installation instructions for the etrailer hitch and a link to the instructions and a video review on the Yakima bike rack.

expert reply by: Jeff D