Can Hitch Adapter be Used for Thule Bike Rack When Hitch Receiver is 1" From Hitch Pin Hole

Updated 07/17/2020 | Published 07/15/2020

Products Featured in This Question

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

(1002)

$173.57

Hitch Adapter 1-1/4" to 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver

(557)

$90.49

Question:

We just received our Thule 9042 bike rack for our 2019 Honda CR-V. The distance from the pinhole on the hitch to the receiver is only 1inch - not the 1 1/2inch required. We put on an adapter but now the distance from the rack to the car is 20. Is that okay for 2 twenty lb bikes or is it okay to attach to the hitch with the 1inch distance?

asked by: Kathleen M

Expert Reply:

We have a few different things to address but ultimately the best scenario for you is to swap out your hitch receiver for one that has the appropriate spacing like the etrailer Trailer Hitch # e98848.

It looks like you're using a hitch adapter like the Brophy # HTAD to fit the Thule Helium Pro # TH9042PRO to your 2019 Honda CR-V. When I reached out to Brophy they said that you are good to go, however Thule has made it clear in their instructions that using any of their bike racks with an adapter that they don't make will void the warranty on the bike rack.

The other thing is that we usually don't recommend using an adapter simply because it adds more moving points to your setup, and since the point of using this adapter is to essentially get around a rule, I really think you would be better off going with a different hitch.

expert reply by: Jon G