Recommendation For Hitch and Bike Rack on 2012 Honda Odyssey With 2 Adult Bikes and 1 Kids Bike

Question:

We have 2 adult bikes: 1 man and 1 woman bike and 1 children bike for our 6 years old. Which hitch and bike rack will fit in our van? The woman bike does not have straight tube on the top, do I need an adapter? Do I also need another adapter for my sons bike? Thanks.

asked by: Alvin

Expert Reply:

The hitch I recommend for your 2012 Honda Odyssey is the Draw-Tite Class III 2-Inch Hitch, part # 75270. This hitch is a 2-inch hitch with a 675-lb tongue weight capacity and a 4,500-lb towing weight capacity. This hitch will accept a 4-bike rack with no problems. I am including a link to the installation instructions on the Draw-Tite hitch.

I recommend to look at the Thule Hitching Post 4 Bike Rack, part # TH934XTR. It has anti-sway cradles that will prevent not only sway, but also front-to-back movement and bike-to-bike contact, and folding dual arms that will allow you to fold down the arms when the rack is not being used. I am including a link to a video review on the Thule Hitching Post bike rack on a Honda Odyssey.

For any of the hitch hanging bike racks, if you will be carrying womens, childrens, or alternative frame bikes that do not have the horizontal bar that runs from the seat post to the handlebar post, I recommend using the Thule Bike Adapter Bar, part # TH982XT, in order to carry the bikes more level. I have included a link to a video showing how it works.

expert reply by: Jeff D