I Am Looking For A Solution To My Clearance Issues With A Bike Rack On My 2017 Lexus IS300

Updated 06/25/2025 | Published 06/12/2025

Products Featured in This Question

etrailer Rubber Hitch Cover for 2" Trailer Hitches - Qty 1

(3318)

$14.13

Kuat Beta Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Tilting

(301)

$349.00

Yakima FullBack 2 Bike Rack - Trunk Mount - Adjustable Arms

(271)

$239.20

Question:

I have a 2017 Lexus IS300. The trailer hitch sits so low on the car that the bike front tire is only 3-4 inches to the ground. Sometimes when I hit a big bump the wheels will hit the ground. It currently sits 41 inches from the ground. I would need a two bike rack that this height is either adjustable to 50 inches or greater, or is at least a standard 50 from the ground. The hitch size is 1 1/4. If you could suggest a bike rack model that fits these height requirements , please send that model number information to my e-mail. Also in lieu getting another trailer hitch, if you had some kind of transceiver that can lift the bike rack, that would work also. I tried a frame adapter and it only made things worse. I can send you pictures of what I am talking about when you respond.

asked by: Vincent

Expert Reply:

Hey Vincent,

For your vehicle and the hitch size, the tallest bike rack we have is a 41" Kuat hanging bike rack, # B202-114. There is not a standard 50" size for bike racks, most we carry are in the 39-41" range. We are not going to have a rack that is as tall as you are needing. An option that could work for you would be to go with a trunk mounted bike rack like # Y02634. That would set the mount for the bikes starting at your trunk possibly giving some extra height.

We do not carry an adapter that would take your receiver hitch and raise it higher without changing the receiver size to a 2". The issue with adapters like that is they reduce your hitches capacity by 50%, which for your vehicle would be too little to carry 2 bikes with a bike rack safely. I recommend taking a look at the trunk mount if you are having serious clearance issues.

What model bike rack are you currently using?

expert reply by: Nick S

Hi N.

6/25/2025

Thanks for the response, the standard hitch rack is the same size as the one I have so that is not an option. And the trunk mount is just not something I would use on my car. Thanks for the response. Seems like I am just going to have to live with this issue.

Nick S.

6/25/2025

@HiN There is another option with a roof mount, but that is typically not ideal for people with having to load them onto the roof of the vehicle. With an 1-1/4" hitch its hard to have work arounds just with the overall capacity of those hitches, and any adapter reducing that capacity even more.