Use of 1-1/4-Inch to 2-Inch Hitch Adapter for Use with Hitch Bike Rack on 2016 Kia Soul

Question:

Im looking at your hitch for our 2016 KIA Soul. The question I have is can I use an adapter to go from the 1 1/4inch to 2. I have 2 hitch mount bicycle holders but they are both 2. Thanks.

asked by: Jim

Expert Reply:

Hitch adapters are available to allow use of a 2-inch hitch bike rack in a smaller 1-1/4-inch hitch but the issue with such a setup is that the adapter will cause you to lose HALF of your hitch's rated capacity. This loss of weight capacity results from the actual load (the rack and bikes) being moved further away from the hitch, which increases the leverage that load applies to the hitch tube. It is much like using a cheater bar or pipe on the end of a lug wrench to increase your leverage when loosening a stubborn lug nut.

So long as your total bike rack/bike weight remains within the reduced hitch capacity, 100-lbs in the case of the light-duty Class I hitches made for your 2016 Kia Soul, then you can use an adapter like # HTAD or # HT5R. Part # HT5R is likely to be the better choice since it will give you more ground clearance thanks to its 5-inches of rise.

It would not be a bad idea at all to support the load with a strap like # 18050. This will take some of the weight off the hitch and also help to reduce rack motion as you drive.

To lock the adapter in your hitch you can use # e98879.