Bike rack receiver

[kenchili]

Bike rack Receiver is too big. I got my new 19 ft escape and wanted to take our bikes on trip. I have a high end rack that fits and tightens into 2 inch receiver. The escape receiver is 2 3/8 square. Needless to say the rack doesn’t tighten into receiver. Ended up putting bikes inside trailer. Not ideal. Any suggestions?

 

[iamunique127]

It’s weird that your receiver is so big, obviously. My hitches are a always a bit sloppy in the receiver but not that big.
If a receiver is especially loose I use something like this anti-rattle device. Although that link is to Princess Auto, they are available at many different places.

 

[Ron in BC]

Something's not right. The receiver that ETI installs is 2". That's the internal size. If yours measures 2 3/8" then its not the correct receiver.

Hold a ruler up to it, take a photo and send it to ETI.

Ron

 

[Jim Bennett]

Before installing my cargo bin I used the receiver for my 1UP bike rack, both on my 19 and the 5.0TA. Both had good 2" receivers that worked great. Yours being 2 3/8" wide on the inside seems really strange, I have never heard of that and have been towing various trailers all my life. I agree with Ron, take a photo with a tape measure in it and send it to Escape. Maybe post it here too.

 

[DanandDaphne]

Yeah that's not right. If it's that off Escape will pay to have the receiver replaced by a welder, or if you are in BC perhaps they would do it but as I understand they buy the trailer frames from some third party manufacturer probably close by so maybe they would send you to them? This is really weird as I have done some metal fabrication and have never seen stock that is 2 3/8" it's usually 2", 2 1/2", 3" etc. Could it be 2 1/2"?

If it's 2 1/2" you could get an adaptor and have it welded in but if it 2 3/8" like you said it would have to be cut off and a 2" receiver welded in.

CURT Reducer Sleeve (2-1/2" to 2" Shank) Trailer Hitch Receiver Tube Adapter

CURT Reducer Sleeve (2-1/2" to 2" Shank) Trailer Hitch Receiver Tube Adapter BKDK45405 Trailer Hitch Receiver Tube Adapter New 45405

www.towuniverse.com

 

[BravoDeltaRomeo]

As a long time cyclist, if you have decent bikes, a rooftop carrier (fork mount, front tire off) is your best friend and best for the bikes.

 

[kenchili]

I took a couple photos of receiver. Someone screwed up. I will get hold of escape and hopefully get this sorted out. I have friends who are picking up made to order in July and made sure they are aware. Thanks for input

 

[RambleOn]

seeing this I ran out and measured ours - it’s wider than 2” but narrower than yours. Is this much excess width an issue? I don’t know that I’ll ever use the hitch but please keep us posted on your quest.

 

[Ron in BC]

Bottom line, it's not a 2 3/8" receiver. It's 2". Use a "U" clamp to take out the slop.

Ron

 

[kenchili]

If you put bike rack or anything that uses 2 inch receiver it would flop all over the place. My bike rack has a tightener to make sure it doesn’t wiggle or bounce and because of the extra width will not tighten. FYI.

 

[kenchili]

Bottom line, it's not a 2 3/8" receiver. It's 2". Use a "U" clamp to take out

 

[DanandDaphne]

I took a couple photos of receiver. Someone screwed up. I will get hold of escape and hopefully get this sorted out. I have friends who are picking up made to order in July and made sure they are aware. Thanks for input

Well it looks like your receiver is 2 1/8" I just measured the receivers on our escape and our Tundra with a caliper and they are both 2 1/8" ID so it looks like a normal 2" receiver to me.

What is the make of your bike rack? We have a 1up and it tightens up in our receivers nicely.

 

[Mike G]

Looks like 2.25" vertical, and maybe a hair more than that at the horizontal. Quickest, easiest fix to get on the road with the carrier might be to obtain a thin steel sleeve to take up the extra space, if you have a steel supplier near you.

 

[DanandDaphne]

Looks like 2.25" vertical, and maybe a hair more than that at the horizontal. Quickest, easiest fix to get on the road with the carrier might be to obtain a thin steel sleeve to take up the extra space, if you have a steel supplier near you.

The first mark on the measuring tape is 1/16" second is 1/8" looks like 2 1/8" both directions to me.

 

[Ron in BC]

both 2 1/8" ID so it looks like a normal 2" receiver to me.

Yes, the 2" is a nominal size. There are tubes made that are an exact tight sliding fit. They'd be a nightmare to use. The slightest mis-alignment, a nick or rust etc. would make trying to insert an exact fit tube very difficult.

For my bike rack or rear storage box I prefer to use a second mounting point to steady the load. The "U" clamps do work but I've found that they'll loosen and require retightening.

Ron

 

[RambleOn]

I'm guessing here, but @kenchili probably has a better view of the tape measure than we do......

I did notice, however, that the receiver on our TV has a ridge along the bottom that doesn't extend to the back end of the tube, making it a different and smaller size inside the tube than at the end.... YMMV

 

[kenchili]

I have a Kuit bike rack. Have used it for almost 10 years on Lexus and now Toyota Land Cruiser. Tightens up with special ball bearing and does not move. No way am I putting clamp on it. But this receiver is more than 2 1/8. Seems to vary depending on where I put measuring tape. Thanks for everyone’s suggestions. Escape is next

 

[kenchili]

FYI- A bike rack extension may be the answer. If my bike rack fit properly and it doesn't( size is over 2 inch) , the handle bars will smash into the back window of my trailer and the peddles will rip the spare tire cover. Only solution is to get an extension and probably get it welded into the receiver that came with the trailer.

 

[DanandDaphne]

except maybe think about just using sheet metal shims and one of those clamps that way you can take it off when you don't want it sticking out.

 

[BobG-ESC]

This is probably not applicable to all but I turn my handlebars 90° so they don't hit the window, and I turn the crank so the peddle doesn't hit the spare tire cover.