2016 Mini Countryman Trailer Hitch Recommendation for Carrying 2 E-Bikes

Question:

Hi I am planning to buy a Hollywood bike rack HR1500 to carry my two electric bikes Aventon aventure aprox 73 lb and schwinn Mendocino 67 lb The rack seems to weight about 56 lb does the 150 lb limit includes the weight of the rack? please let me know if this is what I am looking for. Hollywood Racks Rider HR-1500-2 inch, 2 bikes x 80 lb total weight 160 lb I am looking to purchase this ASAP. Thanks.

asked by: Manuel F

Expert Reply:

The 150 lb tongue weight rating of the M7 Speed MINI Ultimate Utility Hitch Receiver # 327-60-160200 for your 2016 Mini Countryman does include the weight of the bike rack.

We have some other bike racks designed for heavier e-bikes but none with the 80 lb weight rating of the Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE # HLY84FR you're looking at. For your application I recommend installing the EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver # 306-X7334 instead which comes with a 2" receiver that has a 300 lb tongue weight capacity so it can handle the 160 lbs you're needing it to carry.

I also like the EcoHitch over the M7 Speed you're looking at because it installs behind the bumper and only the receiver is visible just under the bumper. This means it has less ground clearance than the M7 Speed but it does look cleaner and is stronger so that's the biggest trade-off.

One thing to keep in mind is that the exhaust from your Mini Countryman will likely be blowing right on the tires of your bikes. We don't have a fix for this so you'll want to try to add a type of makeshift guard to help keep that from happening. This would be a concern with either hitch to be honest so my recommendation still stands with the EcoHitch.

expert reply by: Jon G