Hitch installation on Subaru outback sport

This thread is funny to me because I bought a 2011 Outback Sport specifically because it came from the factory with roof racks and I ordered bike carriers right from Subaru. To me the point of the Outback sport is the roof rack.
 
This thread is funny to me because I bought a 2011 Outback Sport specifically because it came from the factory with roof racks and I ordered bike carriers right from Subaru. To me the point of the Outback sport is the roof rack.

People typically prefer the hitch to avoid a decline in gas mileage.
 
People typically prefer the hitch to avoid a decline in gas mileage.

So I got a ticket for blocking my license plate with my hitch rack and switched back to my roof rack. I'm around 21mpg now from around 28mpg. Very painful...
 
So I got a ticket for blocking my license plate with my hitch rack and switched back to my roof rack. I'm around 21mpg now from around 28mpg. Very painful...

U could order an set of plates from DMV for $11 & mount an extra plate the rack. I got pulled over once for the same, no tix though.
 
When was this?

04/09/11 in the morning on my way to Allamuchy trail maintenance. State Trooper on route 80 just past the exit for 206. I think it was $54 but don't remember.

U could order an set of plates from DMV for $11 & mount an extra plate the rack. I got pulled over once for the same, no tix though.

Ahhh good to know. I'll have to check into that.
 
So I got a ticket for blocking my license plate with my hitch rack and switched back to my roof rack. I'm around 21mpg now from around 28mpg. Very painful...

U could order an set of plates from DMV for $11 & mount an extra plate the rack. I got pulled over once for the same, no tix though.

Wow. I didn't even think of them pulling over for this. I am a girl - let's see if that works to my advantage when I get pulled over. 🙂
 
I have a 2010 WRX with a hitch. Will snap some pics with the 1upusa rack. post them later tonight.
Bryan

best rack ever... and yes the stem has been flipped since then 😉

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Wow. I didn't even think of them pulling over for this. I am a girl - let's see if that works to my advantage when I get pulled over. 🙂
A certain scene from Cannonball Run comes to mind.:popcorn: Hope you don't get pulled over by a female cop.😀
 
Tossed a hitch (Curt MFG) on my girlfriend's 2010 Mustang and a rack. Pretty damn happy. Still in North Carolina on vacation and it's quite useful.

Each time we go out with my friend's car down here with the bikes on her roof rack, I realize how nice a hitch rack is.

Went with the SportRack 2 bike rack. $140 from Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UUK276

I really can't understand buying a much more expensive rack than this. I did do two modifications to it:

1) Drilled/tapped for a small 10-32 internal hex cap screw on the bottom of each side bar so the wheel holders cannot be slid off. By accident or attempted theft
2) The middle bar can fold back to access the trunk better, I found it to not really be that helpful as it's easy to access the trunk. Installed a nut&bolt where the quick release goes so it's much tighter.

I locked the rack & bikes all together using a few cable locks and one kryptonite lock. One of the cable locks had gotten too close to the muffler and the numbers on the combo melted together. I figured I'd be out in my friend's parking lot for an hour hacksawing through it.

Less than 30 seconds with a hacksaw. Do not use cable locks kids. Eye opener. Glad I learned cutting it myself and not finding my bike stolen.

And I'm amazed at how stable the whole thing is at 100+mph.

-Steve
 
I should add, two more things I would do to this when I get home:

1) Reflective tape
2) I'd like to put good sized stainless Eye-bolts with nuts loc-tited on in a few key spots so that I can pass lock cables or u-locks through. I'd probably grind off the hex on the nuts or use one-way nuts.

REI is having a sale on on-guard locks btw... 🙂

-Steve
 
in south jersey, i would recommend franklin trailer or any uhaul that installs trailers. in burlington county i seen a place called "trailer world", dont know anything about them tho.
 
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