4 & 5 Bike Hitch Racks

Question:

im looking for a 5 bike platform rack for 5 full size mtn bikes. we have a mini van and clearance is an issue. tires hitting road from hanging too low. any recommendations?

asked by: David

Expert Reply:

In order to use a 5-bike hitch-mounted carrier you will need to have a 2-inch Class III hitch installed on your vehicle. Also, in the 5-bike capacity category there are no platform racks available, only a 4-bike capacity, and this is due to the weight of the rack. A 5-bike platform style rack would weigh quite a bit. The Kuat NV 2.0 aluminum 4-bike platform rack # NV22G-NA22G, among the lightest such racks available, weighs 75-lbs without bikes loaded. For a 5-bike rack you will need to choose a hanging style rack like the Thule Apex XT 5 # TH9026XT.

For reference, I linked our main pages for 4-bike platform racks and for 5-bike hanging style racks. A few of these racks will fit into a 1-1/4-inch Class II hitch but most require a 2-inch. You can refer to the linked article for help in confirming the size/class of hitch you have installed. I also included an article that explains how to measure the amount of clearance you need from the rack at the back of the vehicle.

Please feel free to let me know your vehicle year, make, model and version and I will be happy to help you select a carrier that fits well on the car and that is well-suited to your bike types.

expert reply by: Adam R