How To Use Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE 4 on a 2005 Honda Element

Question:

Hi. Very impressed with the Hollywood Sport Rider 4-bike platform rack 1400. I have a Honda Element. Not the greatest clearance. I need a hitch adapter to take me from 1.25 to 2.0. I was thinking of purchasing a riser hitch 4.5inch lift for more clearance, especially when driving rough dirt roads. 1/Is this a good idea a riser hitch with the HSR 1400, or should I just go ahead with a standard no-rise hitch adapter? 2/Also, what length adapter would be best? Cant wait to make this happen. Thanks.

asked by: Chad P

Expert Reply:

In order to use the Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE 4 Bike Platform Rack part # HR1400Z on a 2005 Honda Element you'd need to use a trailer hitch with 2" receiver tube opening, the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver part # e78KR is an easy to install option.

The reason you'd need to install the larger trailer hitch has to do with both weight and leverage. For starters, the maximum number of bikes that can be installed on a class one rated hitch is two. Furthermore, the adapters you mentioned reduce weight capacity by 50% and the above rack weighs around 100 lbs so there is no way you would have enough capacity to carry four bikes.

There are other bike racks that might work with an adapter but you would save yourself a lot of hassle by just going with a larger trailer hitch.

expert reply by: Conner L