Trailer Hitch and 4-Bike Hitch Carrier Recommendations for 2009 Honda Odyssey

Question:

We would like to take family trips and take our bikes with us. We have 2 adult and 2 children bikes but we may eventually buy a bigger bike as they grow. We have a 2009 Honda Odyssey Van but do not have a hitch. We dont want to use the roof rack to hold our bikes so was thinking of investing in a hitch. Do you have any other suggestions? Otherwise, what would you recommend us getting? If we did get a hitch, we would get it mainly if not only for to carry the bikes. Along with this do you carry bike racks? If so, what would you recommend as well?

asked by: Mel

Expert Reply:

You came to the right place!

Here at etrailer we can help you with both a trailer hitch for your 2009 Odyssey and a suitable bike rack for the family's 4 bikes.

A hitch-mount rack is definitely the way to go for carrying 4 bikes on an Odyssey. Although there are trunk-mounts types available for your car, they can carry only 3 bikes. Since your total bike weight load is substantial - and will grow as the kids get larger bikes in the future - a hitch rack is the best option since it will place that weight burden on the car's frame - its strongest part.

You will need a Class III hitch in order to carry 4 bikes. Three options are shown on the provided link. I recommend the Curt # C13068 since it has the same capacity as other choices but is the lowest in cost. This hitch installs without drilling required and it includes all necessary hardware. I have linked two helpful articles on hitch installation as well as a video to show you the process.

With this Class III hitch installed you can choose a compatible Class III hitch bike carrier. The link provided will show you all 2-inch racks that will work with this hitch.

There are two considerations to keep in mind as you evaluate racks: weight and clearance. You want to choose a carrier whose weight, when added to the total combined weight of the 4 bikes, remains within the hitch's 350-lbs tongue weight capacity. I also suggest a check of your Odyssey owner's manual to confirm its tongue weight rating, which could be different from the hitch's. You also want to choose a rack that will allow enough room at the rear of the vehicle for your bikes. On your car the hitch pin hole will be about 4-1/4-inches from the rear bumper cover, as shown in the linked video. So as long as your choice of carrier provides at least this much clearance it will fit just fine on the Odyssey.

For a busy family a swinging bike rack can be a great option and I suggest the Yakima FullSwing 4 Bike Rack # Y02465 that can swing away from the rear of the vehicle - even when loaded with bikes - to give you full access to the cargo area. This excellent rack includes locks both for the rack and for your loaded bikes, uses cushioned cradles to keep your bikes safe from shock and vibration and is protected by a limited lifetime warranty.