Can You Carry More Than 2 Bikes Using a Class I Trailer Hitch

Question

Question:

Is this true even if the 3-bike rack plus bikes are under the tongue weight? Note: You can only carry 2 bikes when using a Class I trailer hitch

asked by: Lawrence

0

Expert Reply:

Yes, that note is accurate. A Class I trailer hitch receiver is limited to only 2 bikes regardless of the amount of weight it's carrying. This is due to the exaggerated force caused by the additional leverage from the bikes being further away from the vehicle. A Class II hitch, which is also 1-1/4 inches, is designed to withstand the added stress but a Class I hitch is not.

So when using a bike rack like the Thule Helium Pro, part # TH9043PRO, you're limited to only two bikes in a Class I hitch even though the rack is a 3-bike rack.

expert reply by: Charles S

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Rayan J.

6/14/2020

I have a 1-1/4 in. class one hitch on my 2019 Subaru Outback (factory installed into the rear frame of the car) and I would like to use a 4 bike Allen Sports 2 in. hitch rack with a hitch adapter. I understand that a class one hitch can't support the vertical weight of a 4 bike rack, so I'm planning on using a cargo strap to attach the top of the hanging rack to the roof crossbar. The idea is to alleviate the tongue weight of the rack by providing a second support point. Do you think that's a reasonable workaround solution?

Reply

Chris R.

6/18/2020

A support strap will certainly help to stabilize the rack but I'm not able to officially say that it's a good workaround. The 2-bike limit on Class I hitches is kind of a "written in stone" rule regardless of what precautions you take. It's also important to note that using that hitch adapter will cut the hitch's capacity in half - so you need to make sure that the weight of your loaded bike rack still falls below the reduced limit. Your best option is to really secure the other two bikes on the roof. If you're interested in this let me know and I can recommend a roof rack setup for your Outback.

Reply

Answer 1

The hitch manufacturers we carry list that with a Class I hitch you can only carry a max of 2 bikes. Like you stated, it's a combination of the additional weight of the additional bikes and the added leverage that weight puts on the hitch…

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Answer 2

Any type of hitch adapter or extender will have the unavoidable side-effect of causing a loss of about half of your hitch's rated capacity, both its tongue weight (TW) and it's gross towing weight (GTW). Hidden Hitch extender #HE18 and Curt…

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Answer 3

The Class I hitches are rated to carry 2 bikes not only due to the weight, but also due to how far the bikes will sit out past the hitch. So with that being said, I cannot recommend loading more than 2 bikes onto a Class I hitch. However, I do…

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Answer 4

Yes, the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver part #C11276 which is a fit for your 2015 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid will work with the Bauer Revolution Swing-Away Bike Rack. You don't really need to worry about whether or not the Bauer Revolution…

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Answer 5

Draw-Tite trailer hitch #24847 has a square cross tube and a little bit different design than Curt hitch #C11276 which has a round cross tube. Both bike rack and hitch manufacturers agree that on a Class I trailer hitch the maximum capacity is 2…

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Answer 6

Curt Class I trailer hitches do not have that stop in them. That stop is there to prevent accidental overloading of a Class I hitch. It allows only Class I compatible accessories to be used. In terms of bike racks a Class I hitch is only rated for a…

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Answer 7

The Curt #C11276 and Draw-Tite #24847 are the two trailer hitch receivers confirmed to fit your 2015 Toyota Prius. Between the two the Curt is the one we have installed on a 2015 Prius. We've installed the Draw-Tite on a 2010, 2011, 2013, and…

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Answer 8

It does appear that the trailer hitch for your 2014 Toyota Prius V does sit up as high if not higher than the exhaust pipe as you can see in the video I have linked showing installation. But in the video that is hitch #C11276. It should be the same…

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Answer 9

I'd be happy to help clarify! Basically what it boils down to is the strength of the hitch itself and physics. The Class I trailer hitches, like the Curt #C11276 for your 2014 Toyota Prius, are the lightest duty on the market and so they…

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Answer 10

I believe you are talking about the 1/4" nuts and bolts that are a part of the hardware that comes with the EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch #306-X7178. I took a look at the installation instructions and the purpose of that hardware is to use only…

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Answer 11

If you check out the picture I attached you can see what your 2012 Toyota Prius V would look like with either the Draw-Tite Hitch #24847 or the Curt Hitch #C11276 would look like once installed. As you can see both of them hang about the same…

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Answer 12

The EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver #306-X7178 is a great hitch for your 2012 Toyota Prius and will be able to handle the 300 lb weight of your motorcycle and the motorcycle rack (if the 300 lbs you mentioned includes both), but I'm not…

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