Options for Carrying a Trike with a 2013 Hyundai Elantra

Question:

I have a 2013 Hyundai elantra limited with a 1 and a quarter hitch Looks like I may need a 2 inch hitch. I need to transport a heavy tadpole trike 85 pounds without battery. My current hitch failed, and resulted to significant damage to my prized trike. What sort of system can you recommend? Is my situation hopeless? Thanks!

asked by: Rusty W

Expert Reply:

I'm not sure how your current hitch failed but the Curt Trailer Hitch # C11303 is rated for 200 lbs of tongue weight so you will be able to safely use this with the 44 lb Hollywood Racks Sport Rider Bike Rack for 1 Recumbent or 1 Trike # HR1000Z-R-TRKADP to carry your 85 lb tadpole trike. The only way that this would fail is if your 2013 Hyundai Elantra isn't rated for 129 lbs of tongue weight and the trailer hitch physically disconnected from your vehicle because of the tongue weight.

I looked up the online version of the owner's manual for your Elantra and it stated that Hyundai doesn't recommend using the vehicle to tow a trailer so you'll need to reach out to them about what the max tongue weight capacity would be for carrying your trike.

Aside from that, the only other option that we have for your specific vehicle is the SeaSucker Roof Bike Rack for Trikes # 298-BD1005 which uses strong vacuum cups that have a pull strength rating of 210 lbs per cup (see attached demo video). To lock your bike to your vehicle SeaSucker has the Cable Anchor # 298-BA0010 you can use with a cable lock like part # e98891.

If you end up wanting to use a different vehicle so that you get the benefit of a stronger 2" trailer hitch just let me know the year/make/model and I can recommend a trailer hitch for you. The Hollywood Racks bike rack mentioned above fits both 1-14" and 2" trailer hitch receivers so it will work for that application as well.