Trailer Hitch and Bike Rack Recommendations for 2006 Honda Accord Sedan  

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Deciding how to carry bikes on a 2006 Honda Accord is tricky because your vehicle has a 2 bike limit when using a hitch-mount bike rack, however you can carry 3 bikes if you use a trunk mount bike rack.

If carrying 3 bikes is a priority, for a 3 bike trunk-mount carrier I recommend the Thule OutWay 3 # TH56BV. This is my favorite bike rack because of the retractable cables and hooks that you use to anchor your bike rack to your vehicle. These cables will not fatigue like straps and are also coated so they will not scratch your trunk. The OutWay 3 also has integrated locks that lock your bikes to the rack and the rack to your vehicle. This is an awesome feature when your rack is left unattended.

If you are planning on carrying either women's, children's, or alternative frame bikes, I recommend the Thule Adapter Bar # TH982XT. The adapter bar connects between the seat and handlebar posts to provide a level mounting surface to mate with the carrier arms. This adapter ensures that the bike will have a level ride and have good ground clearance at the wheels.

If carrying 3 bikes is not that big of a concern and you want to have a trailer hitch installed, the most popular hitch among Honda Accord owners is the Draw-Tite # 24787. This Class I hitch has a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can carry up to 2 bikes. Please note that Class I hitches cannot handle the weight of more than 2 bikes, even if the bike rack itself can hold 3 bikes.

For a hitch mount bike rack you have two options either platform or hanging. Both styles have positive attributes, however hanging racks are typically less expensive and often lighter.

For a hitch mount hanging bike rack I recommend the Swagman Trailhead # S63360. This hitch mounted rack will carry 2 bikes up to 35 lbs for each bike. The Trailhead rack can tilt down which allows you access to your trunk and it only weighs 35 lbs. As with the trunk mount bike rack, I recommend using the adapter bar. The Trailhead will do a great job carrying your bikes.

The Swagman XC-2 # S64650 is a lightweight (30 lb) platform bike rack that would fit on your Honda Accord. The nice features of a platform bike rack are the adjustable wheel hoops to fit your bikes and that they offer easy loading of the bikes. The XC-2 has a 35 lb per bike weight limit and a maximum wheel base of 51-1/2 inches.

For security sake on either of the hitch mounted bike racks, check out the Swagman Locking Hitch Pin and Cable Combo # S64031. This set gives you the anti-rattle hitch lock and also a 7 foot cable made out of coated steel. I have attached brief videos of both the Trailhead and XC-2 on similar vehicles.

At the end of the day, each method of carrying bikes has its own positives. The least expensive method of carrying your bikes is the trunk mount option. With the trunk mount you are able to carry 3 bikes which is nice if this is a priority. If you choose to have a hitch installed then you can then decide what type of hitch-mounted bike rack makes more sense for your life style. A hitch will also allow the use of other Class I accessories such as cargo carriers.

Since you are new to hitches and bike racks I have attached a FAQ article covering several different aspects of bike racks and bike rack accessories, how to choose a hitch-mounted bike rack, and finally a trailer hitch class review. These FAQ articles will give you great reference information.

expert reply by: Lori W

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