Bike Rack Recommendation for 4 Bikes on a 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Updated 03/22/2023 | Published 03/21/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Hitch Lock for Kuat Bike Racks - 2" Hitches

(218)

$28.95

Kuat Transfer V2 Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount

(314)

$847.00

Thule Apex Swing XT Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Swing Away

(218)

$699.95

Thule Bike Adapter Bar for Women's and Alternative Frame Bikes

(350)

$51.45

Question:

Hello, do you recommend this for a 2021 Toyota RAV4 hybrid XLE with a 2 inch Curt receiver Item # C13416? It seems the rack and receiver are rated to handle the weight, but Im concerned if the vehicle is the limiting factor. As far as I can tell Toyota says the tongue weight limit of the RAV4 hybrid is 175 lbs. The base rack plus 2 bike add on weigh nearly 100 lbs, and 4 bikes could easily exceed 75 lbs. Id hate to risk damaging the vehicle.

asked by: Rob

Expert Reply:

The 175 lb tongue weight rating is what I'm seeing in the owner's manual for your 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid as well, so even though the Curt Trailer Hitch # C13416 has a tongue weight rating of 600 lbs, the 175 lb rating of your vehicle is the limiting factor so we'll want to choose a bike rack according to that rating instead.

The Thule T2 Pro X # TH26ZE does weigh in at just over 100 lbs so for a lighter alternative I recommend the Kuat Transfer V2 # KU77FR. This weighs in at 73 lbs, can hold up to 40 lb bikes, and has the ability to lock the bikes. To add a lock to the rack you just need to add part # HL2.

If you find that you're still needing a lighter rack then recommend the Thule Apex Swing XT # TH9027XT which is a hanging style rack that also has a swing-away feature for rear hatch access. This weighs in at 42 lbs and can carry 37.5 lb bikes. The only thing to be mindful of is needing an adapter bar like part # TH982XT if you'll be carrying any kids bikes or bikes without a horizontal top tube.

Attached are review videos of these racks for you to check out.