Why Can a Class I Hitch Only Carry Up to Two Bikes

Question:

I recently installed the Curt Class I trailer hitch and Thule Camber 4 bike rack on my 2015 Toyota Corolla LE. Both the Car and the Hitch have the same max tongue weight of 200 LBS. With the bike rack being 34 LBS Ideally you would be able to add 4 bikes on the rack provided they weight less than 166 LBS. If the average bike weighs about 30 LBS and you have 4 of them ie. 120 LBS total. You are still under the max tongue weight. After watching your videos you recommend only have 2 bikes up but it is possible to have 3-4 and still be under the max weight. Can you explain why it is not recommended to have 4 bikes up even if they are under the max weight?

asked by: Jonathan G

Helpful Expert Reply:

When you carry more than two bikes it becomes more an issue of leverage of the weight than it does overall weight. That third bike may not weigh much, but since that additional weight will be at such a far distance from the hitch pin hole that weight will apply a lot of leveraged torque on the Class I hitch that can not handle the force and could potentially damage hitch/frame of your vehicle.

expert reply by: Jameson C