Availability of Class II Hitch for 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Question:

Good morning. I have a 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV. Im looking for an 1 1/4 Class II trailer hitch, there is only the Class I 200 TW 2000 GVW. It is not my intention to overload the hitch, but rather to take in directly no adaptors the male end, 1 1/4bike rack and have a margin of safety for carrying our two electric gravel bike which are quite heavy. I also have a medium size trailer with LED legal lights all around. I have tried to find a Plug nPlay 4 pins wiring adaptor in your catalog but I did not succeed. How can you help me? Pierre

asked by: Pierre

Expert Reply:

The only option for a Class II hitch on your 2021 Chevy Bolt EV is the EcoHitch # 306-X7359 with a 2" receiver. Any hitch with a 1-1/4" receiver like the # 24956 is Class I. If your bike rack is Class I compatible the Draw-Tite will be the better option. More than likely it requires at least Class II if it has the capacity for two e-bikes.

You can use an adapter like # C45770 with the EcoHitch but it will reduce your capacity by 50% so that isn't a good option. You may be faced with getting a different bike rack compatible with a 2" receiver to make everything work.

You didn't find anything for the wiring because nobody makes a 4-way for the 2021 Bolt EV. Manufacturers don't even list a universal option so it's possible there is something with the design of the EV that prevents you from installing a 4-way. You can typically use # 119250KIT for vehicles with sensitive electrical components but I suggest checking with your dealer before you attempt an installation.

expert reply by: Robin H

Pierre J.

4/28/2024

Thanks Robin i did have a Draw Tite front hitch on my old dodge ram to back up just about anything in my tight yard.Very solid and well made. While writing this answer I came up with this idea, what about I get the 1 1/4" class 1 end of my bike rack enlarged to Class 2 by welding a properly sized square tubing? Would that reward me with the same 50% reduction ????? Thanks Pierre

Robin H.

4/28/2024

@PierreJ that would certainly make it fit but if you have some kind of anti-rattle specific to the bike rack or other mechanism like it it would no longer work. It wouldn't cause a 50% reduction since there would be no adapter but I would talk to the manufacturer about how that might impact the capacity before doing so. You would also be voiding any warranty.

Pierre J.

4/28/2024

@RobinH I talked to a very experimented welder since this morning after I wrote to you, He told me about doing just that for me on my previous bike rack on the Dodge. Sometimes getting old gets in the way !!!! He added that to his knowledge, the 1 1/4" heat bent piece of steel on these bike rack are strong due to their size of solid steel, not an hollow square tube.Only the proper heat, is to be used to realize a solid well penetrated weld. Having lived with such an arrangement for 5 years, I will go that way. The only deception is about not being able to find an adapted quick connect flat four wiring kit, more so for such a modern car. So close to it with the Tekonsha 118845 that fits the 2022 Bolt EUV . Have a good evening. Pierre