Recommended High-Low Hitch Receiver Adapter to Use with Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack

Updated 11/07/2022 | Published 11/06/2022

Products Featured in This Question

Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount

(515)

$1099.95

Replacement Shank for Gen-Y Adjustable Ball Mount - 2" Hitch - 5" Drop/Rise - 10K

(9)

$219.95

Roadmaster High-Low Adapter for Tow Bars - 2" Hitches - 6" Rise/Drop - 6K GTW, 200 lbs TW

(1592)

$98.95

Question:

i have a thule easy fold XT bike rack that i use with a subaru ascent. the issue is that the reciever for the rack is high and the resulting level of the rack is very high, i would like to use a hi - low adaptor to lower, but i read that it reduces the carry capicity? can you explain? thanks

asked by: John K

Expert Reply:

It's true that a high-low adapter, like the Roadmaster # RM-076, will help reduce the height of the Thule EasyFold XT # TH903202 but the problem you're then looking at is the weight capacity of your hitch receiver is cut in half so if you're weight capacity is 350 lbs of tongue weight it'll be reduced to 175 lbs. This is due to moving the weight further back from your hitch so it amplifies the weight (think of it like a seesaw).

Gen-Y is the only high-low adapter system that doesn't have the note about reducing the tongue weight rating (I think it has to do with the sturdier design of their products) so if you absolutely have to have the height of the EasyFold XT lowered I recommend going with one of their kits like the part # 325-GH-303 which fits a 2" hitch receiver and offers a 5" drop/rise.

Attached is a review video for you to check out.

expert reply by: Jon G