How to Carry Up to 3 Bikes on a 2010 Nissan Sentra
Question:
I have purchased a hitch from etrailer for my Subaru Forester and am very please with the quality and ease of installation. It was everything you said it would be and more. I want to buy another hitch for my other car. I have a 2010 Nissan Sentra. I am confused by the Class Sizes and was wondering which one of your hitches would work with my Yakima Hitch Bike Rack- doubledown 4 for the Nissan? Thanks for your time.
asked by: Ruben H
Expert Reply:
The Yakima DoubleDown bike rack will only fit Class II and Class III trailer hitches. All of the hitches for your 2010 Nissan Sentra are Class I hitches. I have included a link to the right that explains the differences in hitch Classes.
Also, Class I trailer hitches are only rated for carrying up to 2 bikes. Since you already have a bike rack that works with your Subaru Forester, and because that rack will not work with the Sentra, you would need a hitch on the Sentra. However, you would still need to look into a roof rack and roof bike rack to carry the 3rd bike. Instead, I recommend a trunk mount bike rack which will allow you to carry up to 3 bikes.
The Saris Bones EX 3-bike rack, # SA803, is a great option. It costs less than most hitches for your Sentra and will allow you to carry up to 3 bikes. It has adjustable arms to help situate your bikes and anti-sway cradles with ratcheting straps that holds your bike frames at 3 points to prevent bike-to-bike and bike-to-car contact. I have linked a video review of this rack for you. This rack does not come with locks so you might also want to add the Saris Cable Lock # SA981 to deter theft.
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 # 64005. This will allow you to carry those bikes more level and will provide better ground clearance. I have to use these adapters and without them my wife's bike would be at a severe angle and I would not be able to load my son's bike at all. I have linked a video showing how the adapter works.
Products Referenced in This Question
Swagman Bike Frame Adapter Bar - Small - 22-1/2" - 30" - 35 lbs
- Accessories and Parts
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Spare Tire Bike Racks
- Trunk Bike Racks
- Adapter Bar
- Frame
- 24-3/8 - 33-3/4 Inch Long
- Swagman
more information >
Saris Bones EX 3 Bike Rack - Trunk Mount - Adjustable Arms
- Trunk Bike Racks
- Frame Mount - Anti-Sway
- 3 Bikes
- Fits Most Factory Spoilers
- 6 Straps
- Adjustable Arms
- Hanging Rack
- Saris
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Yakima RidgeBack Bike Rack for 4 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Hanging Rack
- Folding Rack
- Tilt-Away Rack
- Frame Mount
- Hitch Lock
- 4 Bikes
- Class 2
- Class 3
- Fits 1-1/4 and 2 Inch Hitch
- Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Yakima
more information >
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