How to Carry 5 Bikes With 2007 Toyota Corolla

Question:

Hi, I have a 2007 Toyota Corolla and need to carry five bikes for my family. It currently has a rusted class I hitch, but Im willing to upgrade the hitch if possible. Is there a way to put a 2 inch class three receiver on a Corolla for bike rack only. Wouldnt ever plan to tow anything. If not, do you have any other solutions to carry five bikes with a Corolla? I saw that your Yakima racks fit a 1.25 inch hitch, but I wouldnt trust that much weight with such a small hitch. Thanks!

asked by: Bryan

Expert Reply:

There is a way for you to carry five bikes with your 2007 Toyota Corolla (assuming it is a 4-door), though there are no 2 inch hitch receivers that are going to fit this vehicle, so what you will need is a trailer hitch and roof rack along with four bike racks. The reason for that is the only hitches that fit an '07 Corolla are Class I trailer hitches, and Class I hitches have a maximum capacity of 2 bikes because the weight and torque of the added length of a 4-bike rack is too much for a Class I hitch. I know this is a lot of parts so I will give you the most cost-effective options.

If you want to keep your current Class I hitch you certainly can, but if you are looking for an upgrade you will want the Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch # 24913 which is similar in price to the Curt option, but is going to be a much better because it offers you the best bumper clearance for a bike rack.

Then for a quality but budget-friendly 2-bike rack the best option is the Swagman XC 2-Bike Rack # S64650 which is our most popular bike rack exactly because it has a friendly price tag and does its job - carrying bikes - extremely well with sturdy wheel hoops and ratcheting cradles. It has a threaded anti-rattle hitch pin but if you want to secure it to your hitch and protect your investment you can add the Locking Anti-Rattle, Threaded Hitch Pin for Swagman Hitch Racks # S64029.

That will allow you to carry two bikes so for the other three you are going to need a roof rack for your 2007 Corolla and three roof-mounted bike racks. For a roof rack the most cost-effective option is the SportRack Semi-Custom Roof Rack for Naked Roofs - Square Crossbars # SR1002, which will fit so long as you have a 4-door Corolla.

Then you will need three roof-mounted bike racks, and since I assume that you are carrying children's bikes you need something compatible with those smaller bikes and for that you are going to want the Thule ProRide XT Roof Bike Rack # TH598004 which attaches to bike frames and is going to work with smaller bikes.

I have added links to video reviews for you to check out as well.