Is a 2 Inch or 1-1/4 Inch Trailer Hitch Receiver Better for Carrying Bikes

Question:

I cant decide if I should put a 1 1/4 or 2 inch hitch on my 2017 Ford Escape. All I really want to do is put a Thule 2 bike carrier on it. Most of the Thule products I havent decided which one yet say they work with either but are they meant for 1 1/4 and adapt to 2 inch or the other way around? Thanks

asked by: Terri

Helpful Expert Reply:

I recommend putting a Class III 2 inch hitch receiver on your 2017 Ford Escape; specifically the Draw-Tite # 75782. For one a 2 inch hitch has a higher weight capacity. Granted with just a 2-bike rack you likely won't have an issue with the capacify of a hitch, but you never know. But the main reason is because a 2 inch is much more versatile for accessories. You might choose a bike rack today that fits a 1-1/4 inch hitch that works great for you. But if in a couple of years you have a need for a cargo carrier, or a different bike rack or other accessory, you might find yourself limited in options. A Class 3 hitch will help keep your options open and it's a lot easier to reduce a 2 inch for a 1-1/4 inch accessory than it is to go the other way.

For a Thule bike rack I recommend the DoubleTrack Pro XT, part # TH92BJ. It carries 2 bikes up to 35 pounds each. I prefer platform racks because they're easier to load bikes onto and I like the clamps of the DoubleTrack Pro because it allows a larger vareity of bikes to fit without an adapter bar.

I've linked an install video of the Draw-Tite hitch.

expert reply by: Charles S