Can 2017 Subaru Forester with 2 inch Hitch Adapter Work with E-Bike Rack

Question:

We own a 2017 Subaru Forester. At the time we had a factory installed 1and1/4 receiver type 1 that we matched up with a thule rack that we purchased in a bike shop. Thule on their web site wrote that Subaru was notoriousinch for drilling their hole for receiver bolt less than a required 1 and 1/2 inch from end of receiver to center of hole. In our case the hole from end to center of hole is less than 1/2 inch. I always felt that the carrier for our 2 racers exhibited a lot of sway. We just bought 2 electric bikes and a KUAT carrier. We put on a 1 and 1/4 to 2 inch adapter and using it with our class 1 factory installed 1and 1/4 receiver receiver. This was put on by the bike store we we purchased the Ebikes. Are we safe?

asked by: Isaac G

Expert Reply:

Most likely you are over the capacity of your setup but I can't say with absolute certainty without more info. So the thing about hitch adapters like what you installed is that when you use them you end up cutting the weight capacity of the hitch they are installed in by 50 percent. Since e-bikes are heavier and Class I hitches don't have a lot of weight capacity it's pretty likely you are over the now reduced capacity.

Best solution would be a 2 inch hitch like the Draw Tite part # 76182 that you can replace your factory hitch with so that you wouldn't have to use the hitch adapter any longer. This for sure would be safe and would be the way to go.

expert reply by: Jameson C