3 Bike Rack Solution for 2013 Honda Civic

Question:

I have a 2013 Honda Civic with a 1 1/4 inch receiver on it. I’m looking for a bicycle rack that is very stable for 3 bikes. Wondering what you would suggest? I guess from reading another post that it cannot be a platform rack ?

asked by: Penny G

Expert Reply:

Class I hitches like what you have installed on your 2013 Honda Civic can only carry up to 2 bikes on a bike rack due to the added leverage and weight of a third bike. The simplest work around for this is a trunk mounted bike rack that can carry 3 bikes like the Yakima FullBack 3 part # Y02633. This has been confirmed as a fit for your vehicle and gives a safe way to transport 3 bikes. It's tempting to try and fit a 3 bike rack into a 1-1/4 inch hitch but the Class I hitches have a mechanism built into them that prevents Class II and up accessories from fitting.

The Fullback is a great rack though. It has a wide contact pad to spread out the weight of the bikes and the rack, is very adjustable which makes it easy to setup, and comes with locks for the bikes to the rack and from the rack to the vehicle.

If you plan on carrying any womens or alternative framed bikes without horizontal top tubes you may also be interested in purchasing a Kuat Bike Frame Adapter Bar # UB01 to provide a horizontal top tube on your bikes to provide an attachment point. I attached a review video for this product also. This will allow the bikes to be carried more level and will provide more ground clearance.

expert reply by: Jameson C