Options for Carrying Four Bikes with 2007 Honda Fit

Question:

I have a 2007 Honda Fit. I would like a hitch mounted bike rack. I went through the hitch or and it recommended three Class I hitches. Are there any Class II hitches for 2007 Honda Fit? Can you confirm that a Class I hitch will only ever fit 2 bikes? What about 2 adult bikes and 2 kids bikes? I read your site and it seems that one difference between Class I and Class II is the tongue weight.

asked by: Pat T

Helpful Expert Reply:

The only hitches offered for the Honda Fit are indeed Class I. Class II hitches are not available, because the points on the vehicle where the hitch would connect aren't strong enough to handle the added towing and tongue weight load that a Class II hitch can handle with no problem.

Due to the lower tongue weight capacity of the Class I hitch, the hitch and bike rack manufacturers all agree that no more than two bikes should be carried on a rack installed on a Class I hitch. Not only would additional bikes add to the tongue weight load applied to the hitch, but it would also place more weight further rearward from the receiver opening. The distance and the extra weight combined will exert extra leverage that can literally bend the receiver tube or cause the hitch attachment points to the vehicle to fail. Which would be bad.

The most economical option would be to carry some of the bikes on the rear of the vehicle using either a hitch or a trunk mounted bike rack. The remaining bikes can be carried on the roof.

If you wanted to use a hitch mounted option, you'll need to start with the hitch. I'd recommend the Draw-Tite Class I, part # 24776. For a bike rack, the Swagman Trailhead, part # S63360 is an excellent option. If you wanted to use a trunk mount rack, you'd be able to carry up to three bikes using the Thule Passage, part # TH911XT.

The remaining bikes would be carried on the roof. You can install a roof rack by using the following parts:

Rhino Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars, part # RRVA118S-2
Leg Kit, part # RRRLKVA
Vehicle Specific Clamp Kit, part # DK010

A bike rack like the Thule roof mount, part # TH598004 would work great and would allow you to carry the extra bikes on the vehicle roof. Be sure the weight of the bikes carried on the roof doesn't exceed the weight bearing capacity of the roof. Your owners manual or your Honda dealer should be able to provide you with that information.