Recommended Class I E-Bike Bike Rack for a 2023 Kia Seltos w/ a Lifestyle Hitch

Question:

I have a 2023 Kia Seltos. It came with a factory installed lifestyle hitch. I believe that I read it is an inch and a quarter. I am looking to purchase a bike rack for an E bike. The one I would really like to get is a 2 inch. Is there an adapter I can get to make my lifestyle hitch accommodate a 2 inch bike rack mount?

asked by: Dusty R

Expert Reply:

There's plenty of adapters available but there are two reasons why one will not work. The first is compatibility. Every bike rack that fits a 2" receiver will have a disclaimer at the top of the instructions that says not to be used with a 2" hitch adapter. Doing so will void all warranties/liability protection and you will eventually cause damage to your bike, bike rack, and vehicle.

The second reason is capacity. An adapter like the item # HTAD is going to reduce your 2023 Kia Seltos hitch's capacity by 50%. They all do this. It looks like the Lifestyle hitch has a 220 lbs tongue weight capacity. It would lower that to 110 lbs and that would mean the e-bike/e-bikes and the bike rack would all have to be below that weight.

The highest capacity bike rack that fits a 1-1/4" class I hitch is the Thule EasyFold XT item # TH903202. This bike rack weighs only 45 lbs and has a 66 lbs per bike capacity. It fits tires that are up to 3" wide but has an optional fat tire strap item # TH985101 that increases it's capability up to 4-11/16" wide.

expert reply by: Jerred H