What Hitch Bike Carrier Can Handle 60-lb Weight of Pedego Battery-Powered Bike on 2005 Ford Focus

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Question:

I own a 2005 Ford Focus Hatchback ZX5. I also own a 2011 Pedego step-through cruiser, which is a 60-pound bike with battery, and 40-pound without. I want to be able to take my Pedego on the back of my car along with a normal-sized e.g., 20- to 25-pound bike, for relatively long-haul 200-300 mile o/w trips up and down the California coast, so that my wife and I can basically park the car at our hotel and go out and about exploring by bike. I have a one-bike bike rack that straps on to the back of the hatchback, which is fine for the normal-weight bike but completely not suitable for the Pedego. What I want is a fancy hitch-style rack that will hold at least two bikes, lets say totaling 80 pounds, very stably, suitable for freeway speeds and long hours on the road, without constant worry that something is going to come loose, enough clearance so that the handlebars on the Pedego which are very wide wont rattle against the back window of the car, and so on. Both bikes will be step-through, so the hitch has to be something that the wheels will rest on, rather than be held up by cross-bar. I want something very stable. I know that there are bars you can clip onto bikes so that hitches will hold them, but Id have to be convinced to trust them, especially with a 40- to 60-pound bike that will set me back an average mortgage if it wipes out on the freeway. I do need to continue to use the hatchback so the bike rack needs to be of a type that can get out of the way at least well enough to load luggage and so on.

asked by: Chauntelle M

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Expert Reply:

All of the 1-1/4-inch Class I trailer hitch receivers for your 2005 Ford Focus ZX5 Hatchback, which can be seen on the link provided, have a tongue weight rating of 200-lbs. The combined weight of your two bikes and your carrier of choice must remain within this tongue weight limit.

We offer one hitch-mount carrier that will fit your 1-1/4-inch hitch and also handle the weight of your 60-lb Pedego bike, the Thule T2 Classic Platform-Style 2 Bike Carrier # TH9045. Please refer to the linked video demonstrating installation and use of this carrier.

The 56-lb T2 can hold 2 bikes with a combined weight of 100-lbs and can handle the 60-lb weight of the Pedego. This sturdy steel carrier folds up when not in use, tilts down for better rear-of-vehicle access and includes locks to secure the carrier to your hitch as well as a cable lock to secure your bikes. It can be used with bikes having wheel sizes from 20-29 inches, tire widths up to 5-inches and wheelbases up to 48 inches. This item is USA-made and carries a lifetime warranty.

Please note the following clearance measurements for this carrier. When folded up, the nearest part of the carrier will extend 3-1/2 inches from the center of the hitch pin hole. When fully extended the nearest rail will extend 18-inches from the center of the hitch pin hole and the rear-most part of the carrier will extend 36-inches from the center of the hitch pin hole. You can compare these clearance measurements to your vehicle/hitch to confirm in advance that the T2 will fit to your satisfaction.

expert reply by: Adam R

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What Hitch Bike Carrier Can Handle 60-lb Weight of Pedego Battery-Powered Bike on 2005 Ford Focus

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