BikePGH Message Board Archive

Hitch Mounted Bike Rack?

I've got a Class I Draw-Tite hitch on my 2007 Honda Civic, which is a 1.25" hitch with a maximum tongue weight of 200 pounds.

I'd like to haul four bikes. The math looks okay -- four bikes at 35 pounds each (overestimating) plus a Thule/Yakima/whatever brand 4-bike rack also at 35 pounds = 175 pounds.

Yet all the "rack my car" wizards at Thule, Yakima, etc. only recommend 2-bike racks.

Anyone have good/bad experiences hauling 4 bikes with this size car and hitch? Am I missing some important math/physics concept in thinking that 175 pounds is suitably within the 200 pound maximum?

Thanks.

commodore-p

2009-03-28 13:27:11

think of the hitch mounted rack as a big lever, and the more weight you put on it, the more torque is exerted on the hitch. because of the lever action of all that bike weight causes the torque may exceed the hitch's rated performance. Ive been doing a bit of reading about this on my prius forums (because i want to do the same that you're doing). basically get the weight as low and as close to the car as you can, because the hitch mount acts as a big lever.

some people have had hitches bend and fail from overloading with 3-4 bikes and a bumpy road. others (with very light TT/race/road bikes) haven't had any noticeable issues. your mileage may vary.

thedutchtouch

2009-03-28 16:41:02

Thanks, Dutch. Hard to overcome physics. Would love a link to your Prius forum to read more.

commodore-p

2009-03-29 13:20:56

I wanna get a rack on the back of my bike to carry my car.

mick

2009-03-30 15:36:40