Recommendation for Carrying 4 Bikes on a 2007 Mazda 5

Updated 06/09/2011 | Published 06/08/2011

Products Featured in This Question

Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"

(109)

$173.44

Custom DK Fit Kit for 4 Rhino-Rack 2500 Series Roof Rack Legs - Fixed Mounting Points

(293)

$129.99

Rhino-Rack 2500 Series Legs for Vortex Aero Crossbars - Naked Roofs or Fixed Mounting Points - Qty 4

(8964)

$234.99

Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 46" Long - Qty 2

(2754)

$239.98

Swagman Upright Bike Rack for 1 Bike - Roof Rack Crossbars - Frame Mount

(150)

$82.41

Question:

I went to get a bike rack for my Mazda 5, and learned that I need a hitch-mounted rack. Only class 1 hitches are made for this car, and I read on your other answers that class one hitches are limited to 200 lbs and 2 bikes. What about two adult 35 lb bikes, then a Tag-along and a child bike 25 lbs each? The total is 120 lbs. Could the rack handle the torque if the weight is small enough?

asked by: Alison

Expert Reply:

We cannot recommend installing more than 2 bikes on any of the Class I hitches that we carry. The manufacturer warranty would be voided and the weight of the items, and combined with the distance from the hitch cross tube, it could potentially damage the hitch or vehicle frame.

A good 2 bike rack for the hitch would be the Thule Camber Bike Carrier, item # TH9058.

You do have options for carrying 4 bikes though. If you used the Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch, item # 24773, for two bikes, you could use roof rack, and two of the Rooftop Bike Carriers, item # S64720, for carrying two bikes on the roof of your Mazda 5.

For a roof rack you can use the following parts from Rhino-Rack:

Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars # RRVA118B-2
Rhino-Rack 2500 Series Legs # RRRLKVA
Custom DK Fit Kit # DK285

If your vehicle has factory cross bars installed then you would only need the roof mounted bike racks.