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I finally got a hitch bike rack I really like: 2014 Yakima FullSwing
Due to the barn door design of the GX, the key requirement was a swing out design where I could open the rear door fully with the bikes swung out of the way.
I decided against the Thule Apex Swing line because the straps seemed hard to deal with as you had to forcefully put then into place and there is a chance they could pop out of place when driving around. Sort of like super stiff rubber straps that secure the bike frame in place.
I didn't like the Yakima Swing Daddy because there was no built-in lock and I was partial to the all black color. Furthermore, the ability to move the frame mounting brackets along the horizontal bike support arms on the Full Swing is awesome and makes it easy to fit 4 bikes on the rack. The 2014 Swing Daddy has fixed frame mounting brackets and makes it super hard to put 4 bikes on it.
Furthermore, the straps are a ratcheting design which is way easier to deal with than the rubber strap design of the Thule and more secure also.
I just purchased a new 2016 GX460. Searched high n low to find exactly the one I wanted. My dealership couldn't come up with one, so I flew 600 miles to pick it up and drive it home....The only option it is missing is a Tow Hitch....I only use it for bikes, no real "towing" of boats etc... Today I stopped in my dealership to check on getting the front windows tinted to match the back and as I was talking to the service rep. I mentioned having a tow hitch installed. He was quick to point out that if I had an after-market hitch installed, it would void my warranty???? REALLY??? I also own the exact same SUV (GX470 2007) but 9 years older that had an after-market hitch installed and never had any issues with the warranty.... Is this new?
... I mentioned having a tow hitch installed. He was quick to point out that if I had an after-market hitch installed, it would void my warranty???? REALLY???...
Stupid service rep. So, your tinted front windows may also void warranty as well since it is after market...
I just purchased a new 2016 GX460. Searched high n low to find exactly the one I wanted. My dealership couldn't come up with one, so I flew 600 miles to pick it up and drive it home....The only option it is missing is a Tow Hitch....I only use it for bikes, no real "towing" of boats etc... Today I stopped in my dealership to check on getting the front windows tinted to match the back and as I was talking to the service rep. I mentioned having a tow hitch installed. He was quick to point out that if I had an after-market hitch installed, it would void my warranty???? REALLY??? I also own the exact same SUV (GX470 2007) but 9 years older that had an after-market hitch installed and never had any issues with the warranty.... Is this new?
Lexus would need to prove that the hitch caused any problem you are claiming under warranty.
I installed - CURT 13043 Class III Receiver Hitch on a 2017 GX460. It was purchased off of amazon. I did not have to do anything special to install it really. As noted elsewhere in the forum, I used a washer between the car and the hitch to provide for another 1/16" clearance as I was concerned it would rub against the bumper. Reality is I do not believe I needed it. Hitch took 15 minutes to install and I spent 12 minutes moving the hitch around so I could align all 4 bolts as the Spare was slightly in the way. I did not want to remove spare as suggested, so I spent some time just maneuvering it into place to get all 4 bolts in. Happy to end some photos if needed.
I put a curt hitch on my 2016. I did not want to cut the bumper so i emailed curt, told them of the issue, and had them send me a top plate that matched the profile of my hitch. It was free from them and it was painted to match.
I went to NAPA and bought longer bolts to account for the plate thickness. The bolts were about $1 a piece.
Do not use a washer between the hitch and be vehicle. When you do that, you will introduce bolt bending and can fatigue the bolt. Curt will take care of you.
I didn't know the 14+ model rear bumper hangs lower than previous year. Interesting. I installed a generic hitch and have about 1/2inch room between it and the bumper.
I don't have a picture but our 17 bumper is different. I called Curt. Waiting on a return call. Wondering if I should just self install the factory hitch.
05-06-15, 03:30 PM
