Hitch and Bike Rack Recommendation for a 2007 Mazda 5

Question:

Im looking at two different hitches for my 2007 Mazda 5. One is made by Draw-Tite 24773 - and the other is made by Curt C11338 for about $40 more. They are both rated as Class I, 200 lbs tongue load, 2000 lbs towing... but the Curt looks sturdier with the additional mounting points. My plan is to use this primarily for a 4-bike rack, and occasionally a cargo carrier looking at C18110... My two questions are: 1 These type accessories bike rack, cargo carrier are all tongue load, right? So despite the 300 lbs rating of the rack, Im limited to 200 lbs by the hitch, right? 2 Does the additional mounting points of the Curt hitch really add that much to the strength? Or Class I is Class I... essentially the same? Is the Draw-Tite more than sufficient for what Im using it for? Thanks,

asked by: Brian M

Expert Reply:

For carrying a bike rack for your 2007 Mazda 5 the hitch I would recommend is the Draw Tite part # 24773 as it has the same capacities as the Curt hitch but does not have the same stabilizer strap recommendation when carrying non-supported loads. I can assure you that the Draw Tite is just as sturdy and would handle it's tongue weight capacity just as well as the Curt.

You need to keep in mind that since this is a Class I hitch you can't carry more than 2 bikes at a time since the additional weight and leverage of the 3rd and 4th bikes would be too much for the vehicle and hitch. Aside from that though you would need to go by the lower tongue weight rating of the hitch and not the rack's higher capacity.

The most popular bike rack we carry that has been confirmed to fit this vehicle is the Thule Camber 2 part # TH9058. We asked our demo and install guys to name their favorite, most easy-to-use bike racks and this one showed up in nearly everyone's top three. Check out the review video I attached for more info.

If you plan on carrying any women's or alternative framed bikes without horizontal top tubes you may also be interested in purchasing a Kuat Bike Frame Adapter Bar # UB01 to provide a horizontal top tube on your bikes to provide an attachment point. I attached a review video for this product also. This will allow the bikes to be carried more level and will provide more ground clearance.

The additional bike would need to be carried on a roof rack like the Yakima # YTH711220, # TH460R, and
# THKIT3080. Then for a bike rack you would want the part # Y02098.

The Curt cargo carrier part # C18110 would still be a great option. I attached a review video for this carrier for you to check out as well.