Subaru Hitch Mount Bike Rack Issues

I've previously discussed the stupid closed-stereo system on the 2006 Subaru Outback which provide no easy solution for integrating iPods/MP3 players.

Well, I actually paid $430 to have a Subaru-dealer tow hitch installed thinking it would be a bit less clunky than the aftermarket hitches. Well, it turns out that Subaru designed it's hitch in such a way as to prevent most locking systems from locking racks to hitches. There is a metal bracket angled in just such a way as to prevent Yakima, Thule and BVG locks from working. It's completely stupid. Stupider than the iPod - I mean more stupid.

The Yakima lock almost works - but at least the Yakima rack I tried out has pin threads on one side only which meant the lock had to be on the left side - and their lock won't fit that way. It only fits from the right side because of it's shape.

So, I finally decided to let my cares subside - and get a cheaper rack that won't be locked to the hitch.

Subaru - you have a lot to answer for in my open source reality.

Technorati Tags: subaru, cycling, bike-racks

Comments

[Ken]

Argh!!!! The stereo thing was infuriating (I have a 2006 Forester) and I'm about to buy a hitch-mounted bike rack. Should I get an aftermarket hitch? Any idea where?

[Noah]

I feel your frustration as I have been told that the Subaru Outback only can be fitted with a proprietary hich bought from Subaru. After giving in and doing this I wen to my bike shop to buy the rack I wanted, only to get home and learn that no rack that I have been able to find will fit the hitch because of that wing piece they have welded on top of the reciever hole. If anyone has any tricks for modifying the mount to receive an aftermarket rack I would very much appreciate it as Subaru doesn't even make a 4 bike rack and the one they force you to buy is really cheap!

[Rom]

I am having the same problem with my 2006 Subaru Outback Wagon. I also bought the OEM hitch from the dealership figuring that at least then I wouldn't have any potential problems with my warranty and I also thought that it would fit without any modifications. Then, I bought a new Thule 995XT hitch mounting bike rack - it is a very nice rack with a single key locking system that locks the bikes using an integrated cable and to the hitch using their STL (Snug Tite Lock). Then, I tried to lock the rack to the hitch only to find out that the lock won't fit between the small space between the bottom plate and that stupid "wing".

So, now I am trying to work with the dealership to get them to take off the hitch and refund my money. So far I haven't made much progress. They did offer to give me a Subaru bike rack, but I don't want that piece of crap - besides it doesn't lock either. You take the pin out with an allen wrench - yeah that sounds real secure! If you look at the Thule rack and the Subaru rack, there is no comparison.

It is my opinion that this is a serious flaw in the design of the Subaru hitch and I shouldn't have to use an inferior bike rack or leave my bikes and rack unsecure because of their poor design decisions.

[orangesony]

REI recommended that I buy a standard 1 1/4 hitch from Uhaul. Has anyone tried this? As anyone tried a hidden hitch? Presumably, these hitches (or the 2 inch hitch) would take many types of Thule and Yakima hitch mounted bike racks.

[juerg]

I am in the same boat... just bought an Outback with the factory hitch - and now can't find any nice bike rack that fits to the stupid designed hitch. Did anyone try to modify the hitch? Any other suggestions?Noh: Did you manage to get your money back from the dealer?

[calif408]

i just bought a hitch lock that fits the factory hitch.
prime products 18-2012 or part #18-2058

[Steve]

Why not try buying a rack for a 2" rceiver, then buy an adapter from 2" to 1 1/4". You can use a standard lock pin for the 1 1/4" end (which will fit) and whatever variety lock that comes with the rack on the 2" end. This will push everything out about 6", but it does work. U-haul sells the adapter.

[bernsense]

i just had the same problem the other way round as it looks like. bought a 2" hitch from draw-tite and my bike rack is for 1 1/4" receivers. it comes with an adapter though, and it's working fine. the only problem is that i can't find a lock for my contraption. i bought a 2" deadbolt fitted for the hitch, but it won't fit the 1 1/4" bike rack....

have to yet find a solution...

[Gordon]

I just got my new Yakima rack, and I am equally pissed off at Subaru. The bolt that tightens the rack to the hitch reviever can't even go in because of the stupid wing. It looks like some of you have gotten past that somehow (considering that you are complaining that the lock won't fit, I guess you got the bolt in OK). Can you please offer me some advice how to get the bolt in? By the way, I didn't have any trouble with lock once I put the bolt in (without the hitch). You just have to angle it appropriately.

Besides the suggestions you are about to make for getting the bolt in, how about using a hex bolt (ie, the hex pattern in the middle of the bolt) instead of the standard 6-sided head? (I guess that would suck because then I wouldn't be able to lock it)

How about using a big stand-off to keep the bolt outside the "wing" area?

Thanks for any advice!

[ECG]

I also am having trouble inserting bolt for Yakima bike rack on the OEM hitch. Does anyone have any suggestions for modifying the "wing" on the hitch or another bolt that might work. I called Yakima and they do not make any bolts with smaller heads.

[Danielle]

Did anyone ever find a suitable hitch for their Outback? I just bought a 2004, bought an after market hitch (to my naivity), and have since returned the nice 4 bike hitck - didn't fit. If anyone can offer advice, it is much appreciated!

Thanks!

[pcastiglia]

Any recommendations for the best brand hitch to put on a 2002 Forester? My intention is to purchase the trailer hitch and then pick up a Yakima or Thule bike rack that I could lock to the hitch. It appears there have been issues with other models, especially with "wings." What should I avoid when purchasing the hitch?

peter

[Neen]

I bought the 06 outback wagon, paid for the factory hitch, and bought the Thule 995 hitch rack, only to discover the lock problem. This morning Thule said that someone told them trimax locks fit their racks (they are cylindrical). Has anyone tried this lock? It's a Colorado company but you can buy them online.

[tim]

I have a 2008 Subaru outback. I see all the issues people noted with the OEM Rack. When I look on the Uhaul site it appears that their 1.25 inch Class 2 hitch will work so that I can fit my thule bike rack.
1) has anyone tried the uhaul solution
2) are there any warantee issues that I need to be aware of?

Thanks a million.

[E Green]

I just got a Yakima Flipside. It has a longer pin than previous models so the lock will work. I got out the trusty dremmel with an aluminum oxide grinding stone and ground away enough material on the underside of the receiver "hood" to turn the pin with channel locks. I doubt it will effect the strength of the receiver but only use it to carry bikes so I'm sure it will be fine.
Disclaimer: This is not a recommendation, merely what I did to make a Yakima rack work with my Subaru receiver.

[CG]

So I read all this and still went and bought a Yakima to put on my 05 Outback with factory hitch. Sure enough, I took it back because of the bolt. I did read some other forums and found that the Hollywood brand hitch rack does work so I got one of their sportriders. It's not as nice as the Yakima, but it works and is better (and much cheaper) then the one Subaru wants to sell you.

http://www.hollywoodracks.com/hitchRacks.html

I installed a Subaru factory hitch, w/ wire harness from discount "1st Subaru Parts" $196.92 w/ shipping, on a 2003
Forester and a Yakima Double Down 4 and had no problems w/ rack or Yakima hitch lock.

[Bruce]

I'm a new biker. I bought a yakima only to find it won't fit in the 1 1/4 hitch I had installe on my Mazda 5. The Hitch company says you can't use a Yakama rack, it will tear the bumper off. They are trying to sell me a Swagman. The Bike company says Swagman isn't good, bikes have been known to come off while your driving and that the Hitch company is just trying to get a sale. If I file a small piece off the hitch I think the Yakama will fit. Has anyone tried this? Who should I believe?

Well...hells bells! I wish I'd seen this site before buying the hitch and the carrier. The hitch is fine, the trailer tow piece fits fine but the Subaru 2006 Forester bike carrier will not go in far enough to put the pin through the holes-{my inexperience didn't detect this when they showed me the assembly}lubed it like crazy..still..no go. I had dealer install hitch last week so I'll be back at the dealership this coming week. What a bummer..I was looking forward to some out of the way adventures this weekend.
Linda

[Chris]

I had a hitch installed by UHaul about 8 years ago. I bought the Yakima Doubledown 5 bicycle rack last week. The tongue doesn't slide all the way into the hitch because there is a tab in the back of the hitch that is bent into the square tube. Before I went and filed the stupid thing down, I called Hitch Central, who UHaul orders their hitches from, and they told me that the hitch I have is not recommended for use with bicycle racks because the vertical weight requirement of the rack is too great for that kind of hitch. The person I spoke to has actually seen cases where the weight of a bike rack has torn out the bolts from the underside of the car using that kind of hitch. There are either not enough support bolts or they are not in the correct configuration to handle the stress of a bicycle rack full of bikes bouncing around back there. He wasn't sure why the tab was back there stopping the tongue of the rack from sliding in all the way, but I think it's safe to assume that it is a safety device to help prevent people from putting too much stress on their hitches with heavy bike racks. So, I'm having UHaul replace my class 1 hitch with a class 3, which supports more weight and, judging from the look of the hitch, I think might be drilled or welded to the actual frame of the car. It's more money...but I'm sure is well worth it.