Trailer Hitch Recommendation for a 2011 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback for Use with a Bike Rack

Question:

Hi, what I have a Yakima holdup 2inch bike rack that I want to install on my 2011 Mazda 3 hatchback. Should I go Curt or Drawtite? And which adapter would fit?

asked by: Christopher

Expert Reply:

I will be happy to make some hitch recommendations for your 2011 Mazda 3 Sport hatchback. I recommend Draw-Tite trailer hitch # 24843. The reason I recommend it over the Curt option is because with Curt you would have to use stabilization strap # 18050 when using the hitch with your bike rack per the Curt warranty requirements. Draw-Tite does not have that requirement.

While there are 1-1/4 to 2 inch adapters that would work there are a couple of problems. First, the use of an adapter is prohibited by Yakima and voids the rack warranty. The other problem is that adapters reduce the tongue weight capacity of a trailer hitch by 50 percent. The hitches for your Mazda 3 have a tongue weight capacity of 200 pounds. An adapter would reduce that to 100 pounds. The bike rack weighs about 49 pounds leaving just 51 pounds for the bikes.

The best solution is to replace the spine (which is the part with the shank) but also will require a different hitch. If you have a first or second generation HoldUp (silver) then you can use spine # Y80126. If you have a newer model (black) then use spine # Y8890278. But in order for this to work you would have to use Curt trailer hitch # C11383 because the shanks for the 1-1/4 inch HoldUps do not fit the Draw-Tite hitches properly.

I know this is a little complicated so if you have additional questions just let me know.