What is the difference between class 1, 2 and 3 hitches?
A class 1 hitch has a lower towing capacity and tongue weight than a class 3 hitch. Generally speaking a class 1 is for compact cars, a class 2 for mid sized cars and class 3 for larger cars, sport utilities, vans and trucks. It all comes down to your vehicles frame strength and your engine/ transmission size.
A class 1 typically has a 2000 lb towing capacity, a 200 lb tongue weight and a 1 ¼” x 1 ¼” square receiver (the part where the bike rack slides into). Class 2 and 3 hitches usually have a 3500 lb towing capacity, a 350 lb tongue weight and either a 1 ¼”x 1 ¼” receiver (class 2) or a 2” x 2” receiver (class 3).
The tongue weight is the downward pressure allowed on the hitch and is generally 10% of the towing capacity.
To find out what class of hitch your car will accept, please contact us.
Can I transfer the hitch from my old car to my new car?
The only way you can transfer hitches is if the two vehicles are exactly the same body style. Since most car manufacturers change a vehicle’s design every four years, your chances aren’t that great. If you think you are a candidate though, contact us and we will look into it for you.
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Hitch Rack– Bikes
How many bikes can I carry on my hitch?
The total weight of the bikes must not exceed 50% of your hitch’s tongue weight. For an explanation of tongue weight, see the question above. A typical bike weighs 30 lbs and a downhill mountain bike weighs 40 to 50 lbs. A class 1 hitch can usually carry 3 regular bikes (3 x 30 lbs = 90 lbs which is less than 50% of the 200 lb tongue weight) or 2 downhill bikes. A class 2 and 3 can carry 5 regular bikes or 3 to 4 downhill bikes.
Will my rear door spare tire interfere with the bike rack?
Yes there is a reasonable possibility that this will happen especially if you have a larger sized spare. The only way to find out is to bring the vehicle in so that we can try the different racks out on your hitch. If you only need to carry 2 bikes, you can mount a rack directly to your spare tire instead of installing a hitch.
Can I carry skis and snowboards on my bike rack?
Yes you can. Both Thule and Yakima make a ski/ snowboard rack to fit on their hitch mount bike racks.
My bike frame doesn’t have a top tube. How do I hang my bike on the rack?
Both Thule and Yakima make a top tube adapter that clamps between the seat post and handlebars. The bike then hangs off of this.
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Tire Mount Rack – Bikes How many bikes can I carry on my tire mount rack?
Two is the maximum you can carry on a tire mount rack.
Will I damage my back door by using a tire mount rack?
No it will not cause any damage but you should limit the amount if times you open your rear door with the bikes still on the rack. Long term repeated use could wear the hinges out prematurely
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Trunk/ Hatch Rack - Bikes
Can I put a bike rack on my trunk or hatch?
You can put a rack on most vehicles. Please check the fit guide to see if your vehicle will accept one. If it does not, it may be that the car’s metal is too soft, you have a large spoiler or that there is nowhere to hook the straps onto.
Will the rack or bikes damage my vehicle?
There should not be any significant damage if the rack is installed properly. You must clean the car where the rubber pads rest on the paint, you must make sure that the straps are securely fastened to prevent the rack from moving and you should remove the rack when not in use. No matter how careful you are though, over time marks may start to appear on your paint especially in dark coloured vehicles. A good wax job will usually eliminate the problem.
The bikes should not damage your vehicle as the racks are designed to keep the bikes away from the paint. Just make sure that the pedal of the inside bike does not touch your car.
How many bikes can I carry on my trunk/ hatch rack?
You can carry 2 – 3 bikes on this style of rack. Please go to the fit guide to see what your vehicle will accept. If you have heavier downhill mountain bikes, you may have to reduce the amount of bikes you can carry.
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