Hitch question.

[chartle]

Not really a camping question, but a hitch question.

We do not tow, but I put a 1 1/4" class 2 receiver hitch on my wife's Saturn Vue SUV.

We had a 4 bike rack that fit, but I just didn't like the design, mostly the hold down straps. So I removed it, not fun needed a 20 lb sledge, and gave it away.

I want to replace it but I'm now kicking myself for not getting a 2" hitch because there is so much more selection for 4 bike racks for 2" receivers.

I'm not going to replace the hitch since the car only has a few more years on it.

Has anyone used an adapter like this?

It just seems like, one I'm just extending the weight back even further and two if it doesn't have a tight connection its going to rattle around and with 4 bikes and just tear the rack right off the back of the car.

Any thoughts.

 

[Teamubr]

I've used something similar. And others in reverse.

You will be fine putting 4 bikes on it. A Class II hitch is rated to 300-350 hitch weight. The extra length of the adapter won't effect that and I doubt your bikes weight 75 lbs each. I will probably wobble a little, but mine does in the 2 in receiver anyway.

On our small race trailer, we use a weight distribution hitch similar to this.



The thing sticks out 18 inches behind the hitch and has 1100 lbs sitting on it. It is a 2 in receiver, but I think your 1 1/4 can handle a few bikes.

Not sure what kind of rack you are looking for, but this one from BikeNashbar comes in 2 in and 1 1/4 in and holds 4 bikes.

j

 

[Born 2 Fish]

chartle,
we just bought and used that exact adapter to use on the wife's little SUV to pull a pontoon. As Team said, ours too has a little wobble anyways, and I couldn't see any difference .

 

[2goofycampers]

You could always ask the manufacturer of the bike rack, see what they say.

 

[chartle]

chartle,
we just bought and used that exact adapter to use on the wife's little SUV to pull a pontoon. As Team said, ours too has a little wobble anyways, and I couldn't see any difference .

I have to ask. I have read that you shouldn't use these adapters for towing. Why do you need a 2" draw bar to tow.

Why can't you just get the correct 1-1/4" draw bar?

 

[chartle]

I've used something similar. And others in reverse.

You will be fine putting 4 bikes on it. A Class II hitch is rated to 300-350 hitch weight. The extra length of the adapter won't effect that and I doubt your bikes weight 75 lbs each. I will probably wobble a little, but mine does in the 2 in receiver anyway.

I'm kind of more worried about torque, 300 Lbs at 0" is less than 300 Lbs at 12".

It looking at them it seems like there are different lengths, I'll try to get the shortest one possible.

As for a rack I found one that has "V" shaped brackets were you hang the bikes on. Also it slides out to load and you can remove one set of brackets for only two bikes.

With both my sons in college, we only need 4 bikes in the summer.

 

[GoNfast38]

You'll be fine. I used the adapter setup to haul bikes and even one of those tote racks loaded up heavy. No problems.

 

[Teamubr]

I'm kind of more worried about torque, 300 Lbs at 0" is less than 300 Lbs at 12".

With the small amount of weight you will be loading on it, the torque won't matter.

Like I said earlier. Our hitch sticks out over 18 inches and has 1100 lbs sitting on it. We have towed from St Louis to Utah with it and all over the midwest without anything bending or breaking.

j