Can A 2024 Subaru Forester Touring Carry Two Heavy E-Bikes On A Hitch Mounted Bike Rack?

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Question:

Hi, I recently installed a curt class 3 hitch 13459 on my 2024 subaru Forester touring as I need to haul 2 heavy ebikes I own. I also have a sturdy bike rack by 1up USA. However, my only concern is that the combined weight of the bike rack and the 2 ebikes reaches around 210 lbs. Is this fine and have others done this without any impacts? Looking for your inputs. Any additional suggestions are also much appreciated. Thanks, Laxmi

asked by: Laxmi M

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Expert Reply:

Hello Laxmi, thanks for reaching out. That’s a great question and you’re right to double-check before hitting the road with heavier e-bikes.

Based on what you described, your setup is within safe limits. The Curt Class III hitch # C47HR is rated for 350 lbs of tongue weight, and the 2024 Subaru Forester Touring is rated for 300 lbs of tongue weight at the vehicle. Since your bike rack plus two e-bikes come in around 210 lbs, you’re comfortably under the Forester’s limit, which is the number that ultimately matters here.

This is a setup many Forester owners run without issues, especially with a quality rack like the 1Up. A couple good habits to keep things stress-free: make sure the hitch hardware stays torqued properly, use the rack’s anti-wobble feature, and drive a bit more conservatively over bumps or rough pavement since bike racks see more movement than trailers. If you want extra peace of mind, adding a safety strap from the rack to the vehicle and keeping the heaviest bike closest to the vehicle are both smart moves.

Bottom line, as long as you stay under that 300-lb tongue weight rating and everything is secured properly, your Forester and hitch can handle this setup just fine for regular trips.

What kind of bikes do you have? Do you go on long trips or do you keep it local?

expert reply by: Jesse M

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Laxmi M.

1/21/2026

Hi Jesse, Thank you so much for the detailed explanation. Interesting that you mentioned the 2024 Subaru Forester Touring tongue weight rating as 300 lbs whereas I checked the manual and it actually says 150 lbs. Though I also see that the wilderness trim does have 300 lbs tongue weight capacity - I would really doubt that those frames would have any difference in the frame build/strength from a structural standpoint. It is likely that the tongue weight was mentioned like that keeping it within 10% of the total allowed tow capacity. Higher tow capacity in wilderness could be due to higher tow capacity of 3000 lbs because of added cooling, low gearing etc. The ebikes I have are Aventon Aventure 3 (fat tire) and Aventon Abound (cargo ebike). We have only taken our ebikes to local trails till date as I didn't have any bike rack earlier. I just recently invested on this bike rack with a desire to plan for short trips 1-3 hours drive at the max. No real off-roading too - maybe would try to do that once I invest in a truck :) By the way, I also just recently posted an initial review of the bike rack on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtbKxqLMUXo Thanks, Laxmi

Jesse M.

1/23/2026

@LaxmiM Hi Laxmi, thanks for following up and for catching that, you’re absolutely right. Subaru does list the 2024 Forester Touring tongue weight at 150 lbs in the owner’s manual, and I appreciate you double-checking that. I must have been looking at the wilderness when I got that 300 lb rating. That said, as you pointed out, the higher weight rating is more tied to the supporting hardware rather than a different frame construction. Your thinking there is spot on. Given that, your setup does land over the factory tongue weight rating for the Touring when you factor in the rack plus the two Aventon e-bikes. That doesn’t mean something will immediately fail, but it does explain why Subaru is conservative on that number, especially with the added leverage of a bike rack. Keeping trips shorter, sticking to smooth pavement, and making sure the heavier bike stays closest to the vehicle are all smart choices. I also recommend continuing to use a safety strap, anti-rattle device and periodically checking hitch and rack hardware, especially with those bike weights. Thanks for sharing the details on your bikes and the YouTube review as well, that’s great real-world info. If you ever do move up to a truck or a vehicle with a higher tongue weight rating, that rack will really shine. Until then, you’re doing the right thing by understanding the limits and using it thoughtfully.

Preston

1/22/2026

Make sure the bike rack was designed for E bikes because they are much heavier than the average bike that the bike racks are made for. Most people get a bike rack that specifically made for E bikes.

Laxmi M.

1/22/2026

@Preston Thanks for commenting. Yes my bike rack is very capable and made for heavy ebikes. and I am not at all worried about the rack. Also I am well withing the limits of the nice Curt class 3 hitch receiver I have. My only concern was with respect to the low tongue weight rating on papers of Subaru forester (150 lbs)

Opie91

1/22/2026

Put one of these on a 2019 Premium Forester, and I would not be super comfortable putting 200 lbs of tongue weight on the hitch. The hitch is great, but the frame of the car is not so robust.

Laxmi M.

1/22/2026

@Opie91 That is also my only question and hence wanted to reach out to others in similar situation and with experience.

Can A 2024 Subaru Forester Touring Carry Two Heavy E-Bikes On A Hitch Mounted Bike Rack?

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