How to Carry Three Bikes on a 2017 Mazda 6 Grand Touring

Question:

Hi team! Hey I am buying a 2017 mazda 6 grand touring. I want to install a trailer hitch to carry bicycles. I see you have a hitch made for this car, model 13901. However this is only a 1 1/4 inch size. My current bike rack is a three bike carrying 2inch unit. Will model 11356 fit my mazda 6? If so will I need to drill any holes in my frame to mount it? If need be I could buy a new bike rack to git the 1 1/4inch size. Just want to know if larger hitch is going to look silly on bottom of this car. What are your thoughts? Thank you for your help. Michael

asked by: Michael

Expert Reply:

We currently have two no-drill trailer hitch receivers for your 2017 Mazda 6 Grand Touring which are the Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch Receiver part # 24908 and the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver part # C11356. They both have a Class I rating with a 1-1/4" receiver tube opening and will be limited to a max of two bikes. I recommend going with the Draw-Tite Sportframe trailer hitch receiver as this option will not require you to purchase an additional support strap part # 18050 like the Curt hitch will. I am not able to reference the hitch "13901" that you are referring to.

In order to use the bike rack you currently have, you are going to need to use an adapter like part # HTAD. However, this adapter will reduce the tongue weight capacity of the hitch by 50%. If you take into consideration the reduced tongue weight and two bike limit, it may be better to just get a new bike rack for which I recommend the Swagman Chinook 2 Bike Platform Rack part # S64683 as it is a very nice cost effective option for you.

If you absolutely need to carry three bikes at once then you can take a look at the Thule Gateway XT 3-Bike Rack part # TH78VR. You will however need an adapter bar like part # TH982XT if any of your bikes have a alternative or step-through frame.

I have attached several review/install videos on the following products for you as well.