How to Carry 4 Bikes with a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen

Question:

Hi, I have a 2014 Sportwagen with a DrawTite 1-1/4 hitch. Would the RidgeBack 4 fit in this hitch? Im finding that only shorter receivers work. Also, could 4 bikes be put on a Class I hitch of this kind if the tongue weight is less than 200 lbs? Im unclear why there seems to be a 2 bike maximum on Class 1 hitch bike racks. Many thanks in advance for your help.

asked by: Rick

Expert Reply:

Class I hitches have 2 bike limit because they cannot handle the added weight and leverage that is put on the hitch when the rack carries more than 2 bikes. The more bikes you load on a hitch mounted bike rack the further the weight gets carried away from the hitch so even if you are under the 200 lb capacity the torque from the added leverage will end up putting to much stress on the hitch.

The only way you are going to carry 4 bikes with your 2014 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen is to carry 2 of them at the hitch and the other 2 on the roof.

The Swagman XTC2, part # S64670 is one of the most popular racks because it's so easy to use, and because the rack has an angled shank that would raise the bike rack up by three inches providing additional ground clearance. Because of that, this is the rack I'd recommend for you. The rack includes an anti-rattle hitch bolt, but a combination anti-rattle hitch lock/cable lock is available separately as part # S64031.

For a roof rack you could use the Rhino Rack that consists of part numbers # RRVA118B-2, and # RRSX100. And then for a bike rack the part # RBC011.

The RidgeBack # Y02458 cannot be used on a Class I hitch.