Recommended Spare Tire Mount Bike Rack for 2011 Toyota RAV4  

Question:

Expert Reply:

We offer three confirmed fits for spare tire bike carriers for your 2011 RAV4. The Hollywood Racks # HRSR1, The Thule SpareMe, part # TH963PRO and the Malone Runway, part # MPG2148.

If you're wanting the easiest to use and most sturdy choice, you'd want to go with the Thule SpareMe. The SpareMe is lockable and features anti-sway cradles that will prevent the bikes from swaying forward and back, possibly hitting each other. If you're wanting to use the rack frequently, have fairly expensive bikes and want to carry them around a fair distance from home, the SpareMe is what I'd recommend. Another huge selling point, the actual carrier can be installed so it's canted to the driver's side of the vehicle, so the bikes are centered on the rear door. This is very important, as it's not desirable to have any portion of the bikes extending past the side of the vehicle.

My second choice would be the Hollywood Racks # HRSR1. It's also adjustable so you can center the bikes on the rear of the vehicle, but it isn't lockable, doesn't have anti sway cradles and uses straps to attach to the vehicle which isn't super-convenient as far as install/removal goes. All this being said, it could be a good option if you don't ride frequently and aren't planning on transporting the bikes across several states.

Because it can't be adjusted to carry the bikes centered on the vehicle, I'd avoid the Malone Runway.

The Surco # BT300 you'd referenced isn't a confirmed fit for the 2011 RAV4.

expert reply by: Mike L

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