Recommended Bike Rack for a 1998 Mazda MPV Towing a Trailer

Question:

Need help fitting a hatch bike carrier to a 1998 Mazda MPV. Im unable to use the hitch as Im towing a trailer. I cant go on top as Im carrying two kayaks. I cant go on the back of the trailer as it cannot sustain the weight. Ive investigated modifying the hitch but after taking the measurements that option doesnt fit either. Please let me know the Thule Part * TH911XT is a suitable solution for my dilemma or if you can identify another. Thank you.

asked by: Tim S

Expert Reply:

I spoke with my contact at Thule about using the Thule Trunk-Mounted Passage 3-Bike Carrier # TH911XT with your 1998 Mazda MPV van while towing a trailer. She said Thule does not test for the compatibility of its trunk-mounted bike racks with vehicles that are towing trailers, therefore I cannot recommend using that particular bike rack.

I do have another solution for your. You can use a towing hitch bike rack like the Swagman Original 4-Bike Towing Rack # S64675. This will work for carrying bikes and towing your trailer as long as you have enough clearance on the drawbar between the ball mount platform and back of the vehicle and you do not to exceed the tongue weight capacity of the hitch or the lowest rated towing component on your Mazda MPV van.

The tongue weight capacity of the hitch should be labeled on the hitch or with instructions that came with the hitch. The added weight of the bike rack, which is 30 pounds, and weight of the bikes will reduce the towing tongue weight capacity of the hitch. I have included a video review of part # S64955.

I would recommend an extended drawbar like part # BH20 that will give you more space to work with if you do not have the proper amount of clearance with the drawbar you have now. Part # BH20 will give you the needed space to mount the rack and provide more clearance for the trailer when making turns when there are bikes being carried on the bike rack. Please note that your vehicle's turning radius will be decreased with the addition of the bikes.

If you will be carrying any bikes that do not have a top frame bar that goes straight across (like a typical men's bike would) then I recommend using bike adapter bar # TH982XT. This will allow you to carry those bikes more level and will provide better ground clearance.