Recommendation for Using 2 Inch Bike Rack with Class I Hitch on 2017 Honda Accord  

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All of the available trailer hitches that are confirmed to fit your 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid are Class I hitches that will provide a 1-1/4 inch receiver opening. This is simply because your Accord does not have the type of capacity that a higher-rated hitch is able to offer. Manufacturers will typically only produce hitches that closely match a vehicle's capacities to help prevent them from being overloaded with higher-rated hitches.

I recommend going with the Curt Class I Round Tube Receiver Hitch # C11681. This Class I hitch is confirmed to fit your Accord and will use existing holes in the vehicle frame for a no-drill installation. Please note that Curt does require that stabilizing straps like # 18050 be used with non-trailer loads such as bike racks and cargo carriers.

The only option for using your existing 2 inch Kuat bike rack is by using a hitch adapter like the Brophy # HTAD. This adapter will slide into the 1-1/4 inch receiver on your vehicle and expand it to a 2 inch receiver opening for use with your carrier. However, you will need to keep in mind that using this or any similar adapter will reduce the tongue weight capacity of the trailer hitch by 50%. This means that if the trailer hitch has a 200 pound tongue weight capacity (which is what the Class I hitches will provide), this will be reduced to 100 pounds when using the adapter. Considering that the Kuat NV 2-Bike model itself weighs around 60 pounds, a better solution for using a hitch-mounted bike carrier on your vehicle might be to go with a Class I compatible rack instead.

We have a nice selection of bike racks compatible with Class I trailer hitches, such as the excellent Swagman XTC-2 2-Bike Platform Rack # S64670. This carrier can transport up to 2 bikes at 35 pounds each and features adjustable wheel hoops that will accommodate wheels of up to 2-1/2 inches wide and a rising shank for better ground clearance. You can add the Anti-Rattle Hitch Lock and Cable # S64031 to secure everything into place and help deter theft.

I have included a video demonstration on this bike rack along with a link that will take you to our available selection of Class I bike racks that you can look through.

expert reply by: Chris R

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