Subaru Forester Hitch Rack Options

[Tom K.]

Calling all mtb-riding Forester owners for help!

I've got some older friends that love their Forester. It's got a (wimpy) 1.25" receiver hitch that they use to mount a two-bike hitch rack that has aged out.

After much interweb research, they decided to get a Rocky Mounts Monorail 2 hitch rack (which I own and love on my Explorer) but then learned that it was not recommended for that car because the exhaust pipes point directly at the plastic wheel chocks.

Anybody have any recommendations for a reasonably-priced alternative, keeping in mind that these are retirees that don't throw money around needlessly.

Thanks!

EDIT: The chosen rack must be sturdy enough for one 54 pound and one 44 pound e-bike.

 

[Philpug]

We have a 2" rack and a 1 1/4" on the Alltrack. I use one of these.

 

[scott43]

I have one of these for the Outback and it's a good rack.

 

[Tom K.]

We have a 2" rack and a 1 1/4" on the Alltrack. I use one of these.

That also looks like it might lift the rack above the Forester's exhaust pipes.

I've forwarded it to them. Thanks, Phil.

 

[Tom K.]

I have one of these for the Outback and it's a good rack.

I should have mentioned that they both ride e-bikes, with weights of 54 and 44 pounds.

At ages 77 and 78, I will accept no thread derails into "moped territory"!

 

[Philpug]

That also looks like it might lift the rack above the Forester's exhaust pipes.

Is this really an issue? The exhaust gases are not THAT hot and its not like the tires will be right against it and how far are they traveling with the bikes on the rack? I DO think you don't want to shortcut on a rack that is carrying 100LB of bikes though.

 

[scott43]

Ebike, oof..

E-SPEC

The E-SPEC is a hitch-mounted platform rack that is RV-approved to carry heavier ebikes safely on the back of motorhomes and travel trailers. It carries 1-2 bikes up to 80 lb each (70 lb/bike in RV-approved mode). It works with wheels 20"-29" with tires up to 3" wide. Locking ratchet arms secure...

www.swagman.ca

 

[Tom K.]

Is this really an issue? The exhaust gases are not THAT hot and its not like the tires will be right against it and how far are they traveling with the bikes on the rack?

Yup it's a real thing, esp with that particular rack on that particular car.

Several years back, we had a friend meeting us in Butte MT for a ride on the CDT. She had to delay a day when the exhaust from her Fiat 500 ruined her carbon rear wheel.

 

[Crank]

We have a Forester with a "Hidden Hitch mounted and a Yakima tray rack for our bikes. No exhaust issues.

 

[firebanex]

2023 Forester Wilderness with the factory 2" hitch receiver and a Kuat NV 2.0 rack on it. My rough measurement is about a 7" drop from the bottom of the tray to the exhaust. There is a good 16" of horizontal space in there too.

 

[firebanex]

I forgot to mention, the NV 2.0 comes in a 1-1/4" receiver version as well and is rated to 60#'s a tray. Should fit the bill for them. The foot pedal for lowering the rack is so much more useful that one would first think, I love it.

 

[Henry]

Take the heavy batteries off the e-bikes before you put the bikes on the rack. I know the bikes are still heavy, but this lightens the load on the rack somewhat.