What Does the Hitch Overhang Mean on the Specs of the M7 Hitch for My 2015 Mini Paceman?

Question:

Im trying to make sure that the rack for the 2015 Mini Paceman will support my 65 pound bike and 15 pound bike rack. I dont know how to measure overhang.

asked by: Hilary G

Expert Reply:

The overhang of the rack is the length from the outside edge of the M7 Speed Hitch - 2" # 327-60-160200 receiver tube to the longest extended point of your bike rack. It is simply how far the bike rack extends from the insertion point of the hitch.

Since you need a minimum of 80 pounds for your 65-pound e-bike and your 15-pound rack, that overhang measurement needs to be no greater than 18 inches.

As far as measuring your overhang, here what you need to do:

- fully open up your bike rack in the down position
- measure the shank from the pinhole to the furthest point of the rack

This will give you a very close measurement of the overhang measurement of your rack. As long as that measurement does not exceed 18 inches, you are good to go. Please note that this is just an approximation because the pinhole on the hitch recedes into the hitch at about 1-1/2 inches. You will have to factor in that distance in your length measurement. As far as bumper clearance on your hitch, you will have no issues because the hitch opening extends past the bumper itself.

I went ahead and attached a photo of the hitch installed to give you greater perspective.

Also, it is important to note that the # 327-60-160200 only fits non-John Cooper Works models. If you have a John Cooper Works model, the hitch you need is the # 327-60-160201.