Hitch and Roof Bike Carrier Options for 2012 Mazda 3 for Transporting 4 Bikes

Question:

Hi, I have a 2012 Mazda 3 Hatchback that I would like to carry 4 bikes with a Thule hitch rack. I think I need to use a 1.25inch receiver for this particular car, and I was wondering if I could then use an adapter to be able to accommodate the 2inch rack. Here is the piece Im considering: HTAD.

asked by: Matt S

Expert Reply:

The Brophy Hitch Adapter # HTAD does allow installation of a 2-inch accessory like a bike rack in a 1-1/4-inch hitch. The issue is that ALL such adapters, because they move the actual load further away from the hitch, place more leverage on the hitch tube. This results in a 50-percent reduction in capacity.

Since the Class I hitches made for your car start out with a 2-bike capacity limitation, regardless of the bike rack's actual capacity, you would still be limited to carrying only 2 bikes on your 4-bike rack. The hitch's nominal 200-lb tongue weight rating will drop to 100-lbs from using the adapter, so this means the 2 bikes' total weight, plus the weight of the bike rack, would have to remain under that 100-lb limit. I would strongly urge you to add some sort of support strap to such a set-up, something like # 18050. There is simply no way to safely carry 4 bikes on a Class I hitch.

You can use a pair of roof-rack-mounted bike carriers for the two lightest bikes, and we have some very cost-effective models, shown on the linked page, such as the Swagman Upright # S64720. These do require the car have a roof rack installed.

We do have roof racks for your Mazda 3, shown on the other linked page. Please refer to the linked articles on roof racks and roof-mount bike carriers.

expert reply by: Adam R