Trailer Hitch Options for Carrying A Bike Rack on a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Our hitch manufacturer, Curt, only offers a Class I hitch with a 1-1/4 inch receiver opening for your Jetta, a 2 inch hitch isn't available.

The hitch and bike rack manufacturers all agree that no more than two bikes should be carried in a rack used in a Class I hitch, due to the low 200 lb tongue weight capacity of the hitch. Adding a third or fourth bike would place the weight of the bikes too far away from the receiver opening, which would apply leverage to the hitch that it wasn't designed to withstand. This leverage can bend the hitch or cause the hitch attachment points to the vehicle to fail, which would be bad.

Because of the leverage issue, if you use an adapter like # HTAD to convert the 1-1/4 inch receiver to a 2 inch, this extra leverage means that the tongue weight capacity (maximum amount of weight that can be suspended safely from the hitch) would be reduced by 50 percent, down to 100 lbs. Therefore, the weight of the rack and the bikes on it could not exceed 100 lbs. Even if you used a light bike rack that ensured you were under that figure, the hitch adapter adds another piece between the hitch and the bike rack, which means that the rack would bounce around quite a bit.

It's a much better practice to avoid using the adapter all together and use a bike rack that's compatible with a Class I hitch. Swagman makes the Trailhead part # S63360 that is reasonably priced, offers lots of features like an anti-rattle hitch bolt and anti-sway cradles to prevent the bikes from swaying back and forth. The rack is also very highly rated by our customers, as you can see in the reviews shown on the product page.

If you'll be transporting women's bikes or bikes with sharply-angled top tubes, you might also consider a frame adapter bar like part # 64005. The bar spans the distance between the handlebar gooseneck and the seat post, which provides a secondary attachment point for the bike rack. This allows the bike to be carried level, which maximizes ground clearance. I'll link you to a video showing how the adapter bar works. A locking hitch pin/cable lock combo is available as part # S64031.

Also, Curt's warranty stipulates that all non-trailer loads like bike racks and cargo carriers be secured with a stabilizing strap like part # 18050.

If you click the other provided links, you can see an install video for the hitch and a product demonstration video for the bike rack, the frame adapter bar and the locks I mentioned.

expert reply by: Mike L

0