Two Inch Hitch-Mount Bike Rack Receiver

[Ronbrink]

11 minutes ago, jd1923 said:

Front of TV is always the better solution! You have them with you when detached and the extra front weight counter-balances the hitch weight.

Anybody with a 1.5” hitch want to buy an OTT built 2” hitch? PM me and I could bring it to the Texas Rally. 

To be clear I only travel with the ebikes on the front-mounted rack within a park or to areas of proximity, not en route to a destination. Once camp is setup and TV disconnected, the ebikes are then deployed.

[dmtaylor2]

I found a good welder!

[GlacierGirl]

@TimD , @ZLarryb and others who have added the receiver on the original post: how have you liked using it, and has it held up well?

Edited May 14, 2025 by GlacierGirl
Difficult to understand

[ZLarryb]

Bit confusing with all the images.  I am using the Lexus hitch and installed as per the instructions with no issues.

[TimD]

No issues so far and I don't really anticipate any.  Could be wrong.  We did upgrade our rack to an "RV rated" unit from 1Up.

Best
Tim

 

 

[WolfpackFan]

On 3/27/2024 at 4:27 PM, TimD said:

Our 2021 OEII came with a 2" hitch mount rack receiver but the installation was (in my view and with respect to a lot of other good work done by the prior owner of our trailer) not quite up to 'factory standard'.  In fact the U-bolt-based attachment method distorted the receiver shape just enough to make installation, and especially removal, of our 1Up hitch rack next to impossible.   So I sought to improve upon it.

After some research I settled on a receiver ostensibly designed for use on certain Lexus GX460 models:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRKR1Q4X

Drilling and attachment was straightforward given a drill press, a decent 1/2" bit, appropriate measuring tools, and a center punch.  The aluminum is relatively soft and drilling oil was not used.  I have not been able to get all the chips out of the interior, but did not try too hard to remove an end cap and access the box section beam interior that way.  The hardware is 3 1/2" x 1/2" stainless with stainless and yellow zinc washers.

We have not tested the setup on the road yet, but static fitment went fine.   The receiver and backing plate are fairly heavy; according to the retailer, about 10 pounds.  This item is designed for towing, when attached to a GX460; it is likely overkill for this application, but that's OK by me.   A side benefit is the receiver has safety chain mounts through which a cable lock could be passed.

I discussed this with Jason and he indicated the factory were considering offering a 2" receiver option moving forward.  Our bike rack is 2", our cars and TV have 2" receivers, and use of an adapter was not appealing to me.  

In hindsight I might have painted it white, or silver 😀

Enjoy!
Tim

TimD - This looks great, and it's definitely on my to-do list! Did you have to take any precautions to prevent corrosion between the aluminum and the steel hitch? You mentioned zinc washers, but did you also use a dielectric barrier, something like a non-conductive EPDM rubber gasket or heavy-duty closed-cell neoprene tape?

[WolfpackFan]

1 minute ago, WolfpackFan said:

TimD - This looks great, and it's definitely on my to-do list! Did you have to take any precautions to prevent corrosion between the aluminum and the steel hitch? You mentioned zinc washers, but did you also use a dielectric barrier, something like a non-conductive EPDM rubber gasket or heavy-duty closed-cell neoprene tape?

@TimD