How to Carry 4 Bikes on a 2015 Volkswagen Golf SE TDI

Question:

I have a 2015 Golf SE TDI. Will this # C11412 be able to carry a Thule T2 Platform-Style 4 Bike Rack for 2inch Hitches TH916XTR-918XTR or Swagman XTC4 4-Bike Rack for 2inch Hitches - Platform Style S64665 if I have an adapter that goes from 1.25inch to 2? Will this class I # C11412 be able to carry 4 bikes? And if not do you foresee a hitch being produced that will allow me to use the 4 bike racks that i purchased from etrailer?

asked by: Donald W

Expert Reply:

Both trailer hitch manufacturers and bike rack manufacturers agree that on a Class I hitch the most bikes you can safely carry is 2. This is because a third bike or more puts the weight too far away from the receiver. This creates too much torque on the receiver, like using a long cheater bar to loosen a lug nut when changing a tire. It can damage the hitch and/or the vehicle.

Using an adapter will reduce the tongue weight capacity of a trailer hitch by 50 percent. So on a hitch rated for 200 pounds tongue weight capacity, it would be dropped down to 100 pounds when using the adapter. The 4-bike version of the T2 weighs about 100 pounds.

I do not foresee anyone producing a Class II or III trailer hitch for the 2015 Volkswagen Golf since they have not done so in the past. But there is a way to carry 4 bikes on the vehicle.

First, You would replace your T2 bike rack with an economical class 1 rack like the Lets Go Aero NEO2 Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount # B01748. This rack will let you carry 2 bikes up to 40 pounds each.

Then, to carry the other 2 bikes you would need a roof rack. I have included a link to the roof rack main page for your vehicle. There are options for both 3 and 5 door models. I have also included a link to the roof mount bike racks for you. If you are unsure of compatibility let me know and I can make some recommendations.

expert reply by: Michael H