Recommended Methods for Carrying Four Bikes on 2002 Honda Accord 2-Door

Question:

I have a 2-door 2002 Honda Accord. I have seen a Yakima Doubledown Ace rack that I want to buy for my car. I understand that this make/model is rated Class I and that I must also get a 1.25inch receiver. I really want to carry 4 bikes 3 adult and one child. Im a careful driver and the places to which I would be transporting the bikes dont involve travelling over any steep grades. The Doubledown looks like *exactly* what I need and want. I dont care for the Thule trunk mount thing, really. I look forward to any/all assistance you can give me with this. I have ordered a Class I 1.25inch Reese hitch/receiver from a local shop that installs them. The work hasnt been done yet. Thank you so much.

asked by: Laurel S

Helpful Expert Reply:

Due to its very low tongue weight capacity (maximum amount of weight that can be applied to the receiver), the bike rack and hitch manufacturers agree that any bike rack used in a Class I receiver be limited to carrying two bikes only. Not only does the limited weight capacity come into play here, but any additional bikes placed on a rack will place the load of the additional bikes further away from the hitch. As more weight is added further away, more leverage is exerted on the hitch which could cause damage to the hitch or cause the attachment points between the hitch and the vehicle to fail.

The DoubleDown Ace Bike Rack is a wonderful product, but it is only designed for use in a Class II receiver and would unfortunately not work in any hitch that would fit your Accord. A Class I hitch has a stop punched into it that will prevent accessories designed for the higher-rated Class II receiver from sliding into the receiver far enough for the hitch pin holes to line up.

This leaves you with two options. You can use a hitch mounted rack to carry two bikes, like the Swagman Trailhead, part # S63360, which would be an excellent choice. The remaining two bikes could be carried on the roof of the vehicle. A roof rack could be constructed using part # SR1116 and part # SR1002. Once the rack is in place, you could use two of the Thule roof mount bike racks, part # TH598004.

Another option that would be less costly would be to use a trunk mounted rack for three of the bikes like part # TH911XT and then the above mentioned roof rack and one # ABR611 to carry the remaining bike.

I realize this probably is not what you wanted to hear, but either of these options will offer the safest solution for carrying four bikes with your Accord.