Carrying Three Bikes on 2008 Nissan Versa Sedan Using Hidden Hitch Class I Receiver # 60875

Question

Question:

Hi, I am thinking of purchasing this hitch for my Nissan Versa Sedan. I currently have a Sportrack A30604 Model 4 Bike Carrier, which I used in an old Van that had a Class 3 2-inch hitch and receiver. I am planning on carrying max of 3 bikes. My question is, since the Draw-Tite 24798 is a Class 1 with a 1-1/4inch receiver, would it still be safe to use a 2inch to 1-1/4inch Adapter on my Sportrack so it would fit into the Draw-Tite? Other then extending the Sportrack out a bit more from the back of the car and adding more potential noise more stuff to rattle around, would this also add more torque and cause the hitch to become unsafe? Even it I used a hitch support strap? Please advise. Thanks

asked by: Ken

0

Expert Reply:

Due to the low tongue weight capacity of the Class I receiver, the hitch and bike rack manufacturers all agree that no more than 2 bikes should be carried on any hitch installed in a Class I receiver. The addition of a 3rd bike will place the load too far rearward of the receiver, which places additional leverage upon the hitch and its attachment points to the vehicle (as you suspected).

Using a hitch adapter like the # HTAD will place the load even further away from the receiver, which is why using an adapter will lower the 200 lb tongue weight capacity of the hitch by 50 percent to 100 lbs. If you were to use an adapter, this would mean that the weight of the carrier plus the weight of the bikes placed on it could weigh no more than 100 lbs.

I cannot recommend anything that would contradict the advice of the hitch and bike rack manufacturers regarding the hitch capacity, including using a support strap like you mentioned. If this is done, and the hitch should fail, not only would the warranty be void but you would be exposing yourself to legal liability if anything was damaged or anyone injured due to the failure of the hitch or the rack.

The best and safest solution for carrying 3 bikes on your Versa would be a trunk mounted rack. We have several to choose from, but my personal favorite is the Thule OutWay 3-bike model, part # TH56BV. Instead of the difficult to use straps and buckles used by other racks, the OutWay uses 2 retractable straps that allow the rack to be installed or removed in seconds. Two of the cables are lockable to secure the rack to the vehicle, and the rack features an integrated locking cable to further deter theft. If you are looking for a lower-cost option, the Thule Passage 3, part # TH911XT would be a good choice. The Passage uses 6 straps and buckles to attach to the vehicle which would make install and removal a bit more difficult, but it is a quality rack that includes anti-sway cradles that would prevent the bikes from swaying back and forth and striking each other or hitting the rear of the vehicle.

To carry womens bikes or bikes with sharply angled top tubes or step-through frames, using a frame adapter like part # TH982XT is recommended. The adapter spans the distance between the seat post and the handle bar gooseneck, and provides a level attachment point to the bike rack so the bike has greater ground clearance and is not carried at an angle.

I have linked you to the products I have recommended, as well as some product demonstration videos and FAQ articles that you might find helpful.