Can High/Low Hitch Adapter Be Used with Yakima Four Timer Hitch Bike Rack

Question:

Im looking for a hitch extension that would give me the best rise height. My van is too low for the yakima 4 timer and I need to get the additional height. I dont need a dual hitch receiver because I wont ever tow and carry bikes together and was wondering if the Roadmaster High-Low Adapter i see on your site would work for my application. Any help would be appreciated.

asked by: Kim E

Expert Reply:

Hitch adapters like Roadmaster high/low adapter # RM-048-8, which provides 8-inches of rise or drop, will give you more clearance but all such adapters also cost you half of your hitch's rated capacity. The loss of hitch capacity from use of an adapter results from the longer distance between the hitch tube and the actual load. Extending that distance applies more leverage on the hitch tube and this results in the hitch being able to handle only half as much weight. If the combined weight of your bike rack and bikes does not exceed half of your hitch's capacity then you will be okay in terms of hitch rating.

Yakima and some other bike rack makers do not encourage use of hitch adapters/extenders due to the additional motion they can introduce, and that additional rack motion can put more stress on the rack than if it were simply installed in a hitch.

I do suggest adding some support straps as a precautionary measure to help reduce the random motion of the carrier as you drive. This is not absolutely required but it is never a bad idea to add some support to your hitch when it has a static load on it. We offer strap # 18050 but any other similar item will work fine too, such as # Y05006 which is a set of two straps. The idea is to reduce the impact of the worst road shocks.

expert reply by: Adam R