Will Thule Parkway TH957 Bike Rack Work with Thule Replacement Aluminum Shank Adapter, # 853-7292

Updated 03/26/2013 | Published 03/23/2013

Products Featured in This Question

Thule Replacement Aluminum Shank Adapter - 1-1/4" to 2"

(67)

$53.28

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

(252)

$78.70

Question:

Can I use this adapter for a Thule parkway 957 bike rack 1 1/4 into a 2 inch trailer hitch receiver

asked by: Donald

Expert Reply:

We can offer you a solution, however the Thule aluminum adapter # 853-7292 will not work with your Parkway # TH957 bike rack. This part is intended for use specifically with Thule rack models # TH912, # TH914 and # TH954. My contact at Thule confirms this.

In order to use your Thule Parkway TH957 rack that has a 1-1/4 inch shank with a 2-inch hitch receiver, you can instead use a hitch reducer sleeve such as the Brophy # HT02. This steel reducer slides into your 2-inch hitch receiver and secures with your existing 5/8-inch hitch pin (or if you need a replacement, you can use part # PC3). The reducer comes with a 1/2-inch pin and clip to secure your bike rack or other 1-1/4 inch accessory to the reducer sleeve. I have included a link to a demonstration video that will show you how this item installs and works.

This part will not reduce the tongue weight rating of your hitch receiver; so if your hitch carries a tongue weight rating of 300 lbs for example, it will still have this same rating even when you are using the sleeve.
(You can confirm the hitch tongue weight rating with the manufacturer or by checking the safety warning label on the hitch itself.) Another benefit of using this steel sleeve as compared to the Thule aluminum adapter is that it will work for any 1-1/4 inch hitch accessory you need to mount to your 2-inch hitch.

expert reply by: Adam R