Saris Swing Away Hitch Extender Compatibility and Weight Considerations for a 2026 Tesla Model 3

Updated 05/30/2026 | Published 05/24/2026

Question:

I picked out a swing. Bace will fit my model three 2026.

asked by: Roy R

Expert Reply:

Roy, I completely understand why you are checking before buying because the Model 3 sits lower than most vehicles, and once you start adding a swing away base, bike rack, and bikes together, things can get heavy and awkward pretty quickly.

The Saris Swing Away Hitch Extender part # SAR36VR is designed for 2 inch hitch receivers, so the first thing we would want to confirm is whether your 2026 Tesla Model 3 has a 2 inch hitch installed. Most Model 3 hitches are actually 1 1/4 inch receivers, so that is an important detail.

I also want to mention that while the Saris swing away works really well for giving hatch access and creating extra clearance behind the vehicle, any hitch extender or swing away adapter adds a lot more leverage to the hitch. On a smaller vehicle like the Model 3, that becomes more important because the extender reduces the tongue weight capacity by half and adds more movement to the setup. I would not expect major scraping or ground clearance problems in normal driving, but I would definitely want to make sure the rack and bike weights stay well within the hitch limits so everything stays solid and stable on the road.

If you can let me know which bike rack you are planning to use along with the weight of your bikes, I can help make sure the combination will work safely and feel solid behind the Model 3.

expert reply by: Heather A

Ken

5/30/2026

I liked it. It’s very well-made however on my two door Jeep Wrangler it’s too much outrigger weight for my suspension and it lifts the front too much with two electric bikes weighing 64 pounds each. I haven’t tried to take the batteries out that might help.

Heather A.

5/30/2026

@Ken Thank you for sharing your experience. That is actually something we see from time to time with swing away adapters, especially on shorter wheelbase vehicles like a two door Jeep Wrangler. The swing away mechanism adds extra distance between the hitch and the bike rack, which creates more leverage on the rear of the vehicle. When you combine that with two 64 pound e bikes, it can definitely exaggerate suspension squat in the rear and cause the front end to lift more than you might expect. Removing the batteries is a great idea and should make a noticeable difference since that weight is carried farthest from the hitch, where it has the biggest impact on leverage. Even taking 10 to 15 pounds off each bike can help improve how the setup feels and handles. I appreciate you taking the time to share this because it is helpful information for other Wrangler owners considering a similar setup.