Hitch and Bike Rack?

[d2a0d0s9]

Has anyone used a class 1 hitch on a Sienna? I need to put a bike rack on but I have one of the Thule trunk mounts and I am afraid it will dent the rear door like it did my old van. Besides it would have to mount one bar right in the middle of the rear window, and I don't like the idea of that. I don't tow so I just need something to keep it off the body. I cant do a roof rack either because we go back in to some places with not much clearance.
I assume going to a class 2 would make more sense providing there was little cost difference but I was wondering how flimsy a class one would be if I run across one. I usually have two bikes on it, sometimes three.

[whositwhatnow]

one word

Hitch

[brian_bp]

I doubt that there is a Class 1 hitch for the Sienna, and I did not find one in previous searches for all Sienna hitches. Even 1.25" hitches in Class 2 are pretty rare, with the one sold by Toyota (which I have) accounting for all or nearly all of them. Most have 2" receivers and ratings at or near the Class 3 limit (which is irrelevant to the Sienna with it's Class 2 towing capacity).

I suspect that any hitch sold for the Sienna will be suitably substantial for bike use.

[vastdavidson]

I purchased the Dual port hitch that Toyota sells for the Sienna. Also picked up the Toyota Wire harness. I have to say it was a little expensive at $340...but the wiring kit was worth every dime. Easy instructions.

I have a bike carrier that slides right into the hitch and have no problems with clearance. You can't open the back unless you fold it down...but still very nice.

[JeffG]

I went with the class III hitch and a yakima bike rack.
http://www.etrailer.com/pc-H~V82700....cleid=20045647

I installed the hitch myself and there is plenty of adivse on this forum on how to do so.

I'd go with the hitch and a 2" class II or III. You dont think you will be doing any towing now, but perhaps things would change over time... If nothing else the 2" receiver will be more sturdy.

[brian_bp]

I agree that there is value in having a 2" receiver for future flexibility, but I wouldn't count on it being any stronger than the Toyota DPS hitch, which is very substantial.

Also, while any 2" receiver has the advantage of more accessories (racks, ball mounts, etc) than are available for 1.25", if the idea is to be prepared for future towing, the hitch should also be rated for use with a weight-distributing hitch. Fortunately, almost all 2" receiver hitches are.

[jroden]

I bought the hidden hitch, it was a very easy install and about 160$ at etrailer.com You can also buy a roof rack that clamps onto your existing factory racks

[d2a0d0s9]

Is the Hidden Hitch the model number 87415? If so is it a square or round tube?

[brian_bp]

I think that the eTrailer page for the Sienna, as for many vehicles, is a great information source. It lists most of the available hitch models, and the details page for each hitch shows actual photos (not just a generic photo of some other model of the same series of hitch), as well as providing links to the manufacturer's installation instructions (which are also available less conveniently from the manufacturers).

The part numbers shown on the installation instructions for hitches from the various Cequent Towing Products brands (Reese, Hidden Hitch, and Draw-Tite) show that exactly the same part is often sold under two or three of the brand names. It appears that the Draw-Tite 75149, Reese 33070, and Hidden Hitch 87415 are the same hitch; I think it is also sometimes sold by U-Haul, although they may also supply a Valley product.

[jroden]

Is the Hidden Hitch the model number 87415? If so is it a square or round tube?

Yes, it's the 87515, it uses a round tube. It seems to work fine and is easy to bolt right on.

[tekkamaki]

I am looking at hitch bike racks for my 07 sienna and wondering what you guys run. I like the looks of the Thule, Yakima and Softride so far.We would like the capability to carry 4 bikes for vacations - 2 adult and 2 kids bikes, however most of the time I will only carry 1 or 2.
The budget is $2-300.

[tekkamaki]

in the end craigslist wins out.
$25 for an older Thule hitch rack in good condition, the guy just bought a T2 rack and wanted to "recycle" his older one.

[g35zuniga]

I am looking at either the hidden or regular Curt hitches from etrailer for my 2006 AWD Sienna. I am not sure which would be better for the bike rack I will purchase. Any suggestions? Is the hidden hitch just less noticeable? Any disadvantages?

[p220sigman]

Either will accomplish the same thing. Both will have 2" receiver opening (assuming you are getting a class 3 hitch). We went with the Curt because my wife thought it looked better on the van because the ends curve slightly so it seems to follow the lines of the van. Some have said there may be a fraction more clearance with the Curt over the Hidden Hitch, but I don't know about that one. Neither are going to be less noticable because of how they have to mount. There is no way for them to tuck up behind the bumper the way Hidden Hitch does with some of their hitches.

You may also want to check JC Whitney They had better prices, free drawbar and free shipping when I bought our hitch. Total was over $100 less than anywhere else I could find it at the time.

[brian_bp]

I am looking at either the hidden or regular Curt hitches from etrailer for my 2006 AWD Sienna....
Is the hidden hitch just less noticeable? Any disadvantages?

"Hidden Hitch" is just a brand name; all commercially available hitches for the second-generation Sienna are fundamentally the same design, and all are exposed below the bumper (due to the design of the vehicle). The Hidden Hitch and Draw-Tite products are actually the same hitch as each other, offered under two brand names of the same company.

The eTrailer hitch page for the 2006 Sienna no longer lists the Curt hitch with the smaller 1.25" (instead of 2") receiver opening; even that is the same design, but a bit slimmer.

We went with the Curt because my wife thought it looked better on the van because the ends curve slightly so it seems to follow the lines of the van. Some have said there may be a fraction more clearance with the Curt over the Hidden Hitch, but I don't know about that one.

The Curt (and the Toyota OEM receiver) do bend the tube forward at the ends, which helps both appearance and working clearance, since it is the corners (the mounting plates at the ends of the tube) which drag in typical real-world challenges to clearance, and bending the tube forward allows a steeper angle from tire to the offending part.

Ironically, this means that the Hidden Hitch is less hidden than the Curt (or OEM).

There is no way for them to tuck up behind the bumper the way Hidden Hitch does with some of their hitches.

I think every brand of receivers tucks some models up behind the bumper (or bumper cover), when they can; if it ever was a unique or special feature from Hidden Hitch, it has not been for a long time.