Would I Be Able to Mount a Kuat NV 2.0 Base Bike Rack On My 2013 Dodge Challenger  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Hey, Denis!

That’s a great question, I’m glad you asked, because both clearance and weight matter here.

Clearance-wise, the Draw-Tite hitch #76145 will work, as you’ll need at least 6 inches to clear the bumper. The Kuat NV 2.0 Base, part # BA22B, measures 11-3/4 inches from the center of the hitch pin hole to the closest part of the rack when it’s folded down. That means even with bikes loaded, you’ll have plenty of room and no bumper contact.

When the rack is folded up, that distance drops to 6-5/8 inches. So if you plan to leave the rack on your Challenger folded up with no bikes, clearance will be tight, but it should still work.

Where things get tricky is weight. Based on the owner’s manual, your vehicle’s tongue weight limit appears to be 100 lbs. Using a hitch adapter like the one you mentioned cuts that capacity in half, down to 50 lbs. I do recommend double-checking your owner’s manual just to confirm. While the Draw-Tite hitch itself is rated higher, you always want to go by the weakest link, which is the vehicle.

The Kuat NV 2.0 Base weighs 52 lbs, and the 1-bike add-on part # KU97FR is another 28 lbs. That already puts you at 80 lbs, leaving only 20 lbs for all three bikes, which likely isn’t enough.

A better option would be the Kuat Transfer V2, #KU24FR. It weighs just 51 lbs, giving you 49 lbs for your bikes, which is much more realistic.

If you need even more available weight, a hanging-style rack like the Benton ShiftShow Bike Rack part # B56VR may be your best bet. It weighs only 38.5 lbs, still offers plenty of clearance, and leaves you with much more capacity for the bikes themselves.

What kind of bikes are you carrying?

expert reply by: Gwendolyn Y

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Bumper Clearance
(click to enlarge)