Recommended Trailer Hitch for 2007 Mazda 5 for Use with Hitch Bike Rack  

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Expert Reply:

The type of hitch offered for the 2007 Mazda 5 is a light-duty 1-1/4-inch Class I type such as # 24773 from Draw-Tite. All Class I hitches have a maximum carrying capacity of 2 bikes. This has to do with the leverage that would be applied on the hitch from using a rack that holds more than two bikes. Damage to the hitch and/or car could result from carrying more than 2 bikes.

The other option is to use a trunk-mount rack, but here again you run into a 3-bike limit due to the weight that would be applied to the trunk lid and its hinge. In order to transport 4 bikes on your car you'll need to use a combination of two different carriers, either hitch and roof or trunk and roof.

I recommend using a Class I hitch rack for the two heaviest bikes and two roof-rack-mount carriers on a roof rack for the others.

I linked our page for 2-bike Class I hitch racks. You have a choice of a hanging-style rack like the Swagman Trailhead # S63360 or a platform type like the Swagman XTC-2 # S64670. You might refer to the linked articles to help you consider the best choice for your particular bikes.

If your 5 has a roof with fixed mounting points you can use the Inno square bar roof rack consisting of parts # INB117 and # INTR120. This is the lowest cost option. Another good choice is the Rhino-Rack elliptical bar rack made of parts # RRVA118B-2, # RRRLKVA and # DK285 which will be much quieter than the square bar rack. I recommend this rack for you. A page is linked to show all racks for the fixed-point type roof.

Once you select your roof rack you can use the linked page to review roof bike racks that will fit that type of bar. Click on the bar type (round, square, elliptical) to view compatible bike racks.

expert reply by: Adam R

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