Can I Use the Brophy Hitch Adapter to Carry a 4 Bike Rack on a Class I Hitch on a 2009 Honda Fit  

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Expert Reply:

The Brophy Hitch Adapter, # HTAD, will allow you to use your 2 inch bike rack with a 1/4 inch trailer hitch receiver, however, using any hitch adapter will decrease the tongue weight capacity of your trailer hitch by half. This means you will only be able to carry 100lbs on the hitch, including the weight of the bike rack and the bikes you are carrying.

Another factor that must be considered is that Class I trailer hitches can only support up to 2 bikes at a time. The reason that only two bikes are recommended for Class I hitches is that the trailer hitch and vehicle frame cannot handle the stress applied by the additional bikes mounted further away from the vehicle. It is similar to adding a pipe to a wrench to gain torque. That stress will eventually, if not immediately, cause damage to the trailer hitch and vehicle.

I have a better option for you that is not a class I hitch. You could instead install the EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch part # 306-X7286. This has the 2-inch opening that you need and is a confirmed fit for your FIT. It will allow you to use your bike rack as long as you stay under the weight limit capacity of this hitch which is 300 pounds or the weight limit capacity of your FIT, whichever is lower. This would include the total of the weight of your hitch and the bikes.

If you determine your bike rack and bikes will remain within the capacity of your hitch and vehicle frame, then I would recommend the Tow Ready Trailer Hitch Receiver Lock # e98880 for 2-inch portion of your bike rack.

expert reply by: John H

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