Thule T2 Bike Rack Hits Bumper in Folded Position on 2012 Toyota Sienna

Question

Question:

Hi I purchased this hitch and installed it no problem. I separately purchased a 4 bike carrier thule t2 classic with t2 add-on to carry all bikes for family bike rides. Everything looks great and I was super happy with the choices if these two products until I tried to fold up the bike rack vertically while mounted on the hitch. The bike wheel well of the closest bike carrier didnt clear the top of the bumper, so I adjusted everything as far out away from vehicle as I could, but it still obstructs the folding. Id like to keep this combo of hitch and trailer, but its function Id like to get working too. I trying to see if theres an adapter that adds length or rise to allow the bike trailer to mount father from the vehicle. I didnt see any obvious solutions. We have a 2012 sienna. Any suggestions?

asked by: Pete

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Expert Reply:

You have 2 choices at this point.

For the first option, you could use an extender like # HES6 which would provide an additional 5-3/4 inches of clearance for your Thule T2 Pro XTR, part # TH69TX which would allow it to fold but using an extender would reduce the tongue weight capacity (maximum amount of downward force that can safely be applied to the receiver) by 50%. This won't be a problem, as the # 75237 hitch you purchased has a very substantial 675 lb tongue weight capacity. Half that, which would be 337.5 lbs would be plenty of capacity to handle the rack itself and the weight of the bikes placed on it as long as the weight of the bikes didn't exceed the rack's 160 lb capacity when carrying 4 bikes.

The second less expensive but less satisfactory option would be to simply not use the folding option which would be a little ungainly due to the length of the bike rack, but it is an option to consider.

Adding an extender will allow a bit more bounce in the rack, because there will be an additional piece added between the bike rack and the hitch receiver tube. This can be greatly reduced by using an anti-rattle device at the connection between the extender and the receiver tube. The etrailer brand # e99007 would be a good option, so that's what I'd recommend. You can see a video demonstrating how the anti-rattle device works by clicking the provided link.

expert reply by: Mike L

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Answer 1

Hey Jim, it sounds like you are looking for a hitch extender because of the shorter shank that is on your quikerstuff bike rack. For that the RockyMounts #RKY10008 would work great for you. This would give you 8 more inches of clearance which I would…

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Answer 2

I do have a solution for you, provided you do not have a factory trailer hitch. In order for this hitch bike rack to fit on your vehicle, you will need a hitch extender if you need 11" of space. Unfortunately, anytime you add a hitch extender…

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Answer 3

There are a few differences between the RockyMounts Hitch Extender part #RKY10011 (LS) and part #RKY10008. The first is that the LS model has a premium lock core body which more durable. It also has a better anti-rattle design so there will be a…

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Answer 4

I do have an option for you but I don't really know of a way to give you everything you want with the Blue Ox Hitch Extender for Tow Bars part #BX88265. If you use the hitch pin hole closest to the end of the shank you might be able to fit the…

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Answer 5

Hitch extenders/adapter cut the capacity of the hitch they are installed in by 50 percent due to the added leverage and movement. So we have hitch extenders like the part #HR26 that fit a 2-1/2 inch hitch you have to make sure the diminished capacity…

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Answer 6

Hey Micah! Pacbrake has actually been around for a long time, more than 60 years. We have had customers ask for these air bags in the past, and we've seen them on vehicles coming in. Until now, Firestone has been the go to since their quality is…

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Answer 7

Hi Len! I had not noticed that before. I asked and Curt does indeed integrate the ground into the plug in connection on a lot of their wiring harnesses and the #C53VV T-Connector is one of them. Tekonsha almost always has a separate ground that needs…

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Answer 8

Hey Daniel thanks for all the questions! One of them is going to be pretty easy but also disappointing, every hitch for your 2019 Toyota Sienna is going to require the panel to be removed, trimmed, then reinstalled. This is actually not as hard to do…

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Answer 9

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 10

I can absolutely help with choosing a trailer hitch for your 2020 Toyota Sienna that will give you the best ground clearance. There are quite a few hitch options available for your vehicle, but the models that will sit highest off the ground when…

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Answer 11

This is a great question and I can definitely understand being a bit overwhelmed trying to work through all the available hitch options for your vehicle. Just to cut right to it I specifically recommend the Curt Class III Trailer Hitch #C13343 for…

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Answer 12

I'm assuming this didn't have the factory tow package or any existing wiring already. The T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness #118786 you were looking at will add a 4-way and then from there you will upgrade it to a 7-way using the #ETBC7.

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Thule T2 Bike Rack Hits Bumper in Folded Position on 2012 Toyota Sienna

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