How to Carry Three Bikes on a 2017 Mazda 6 Grand Touring

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Question:

Hi team! Hey I am buying a 2017 mazda 6 grand touring. I want to install a trailer hitch to carry bicycles. I see you have a hitch made for this car, model 13901. However this is only a 1 1/4 inch size. My current bike rack is a three bike carrying 2inch unit. Will model 11356 fit my mazda 6? If so will I need to drill any holes in my frame to mount it? If need be I could buy a new bike rack to git the 1 1/4inch size. Just want to know if larger hitch is going to look silly on bottom of this car. What are your thoughts? Thank you for your help. Michael

asked by: Michael

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Expert Reply:

We currently have two no-drill trailer hitch receivers for your 2017 Mazda 6 Grand Touring which are the Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch Receiver part # 24908 and the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver part # C11356. They both have a Class I rating with a 1-1/4" receiver tube opening and will be limited to a max of two bikes. I recommend going with the Draw-Tite Sportframe trailer hitch receiver as this option will not require you to purchase an additional support strap part # 18050 like the Curt hitch will. I am not able to reference the hitch "13901" that you are referring to.

In order to use the bike rack you currently have, you are going to need to use an adapter like part # HTAD. However, this adapter will reduce the tongue weight capacity of the hitch by 50%. If you take into consideration the reduced tongue weight and two bike limit, it may be better to just get a new bike rack for which I recommend the Swagman Chinook 2 Bike Platform Rack part # S64683 as it is a very nice cost effective option for you.

If you absolutely need to carry three bikes at once then you can take a look at the Thule Gateway XT 3-Bike Rack part # TH78VR. You will however need an adapter bar like part # TH982XT if any of your bikes have a alternative or step-through frame.

I have attached several review/install videos on the following products for you as well.

expert reply by: Conner L

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Answer 1

I have great news, you actually don't have to use the stabilizer straps with the Curt hitches like part #C11132 with bike racks like the Thule Helium part #TH9043PRO. They actually changed that requirement a while back so it would not be needed.

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Answer 2

Stabilizer straps are no longer required when using a Curt hitch like the #C13130; this was an older requirement for some Curt hitches when using a bike rack only, but they have since determined that it is not required or recommended any longer. You…

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Answer 3

The Thule T2 you have part number TH916XTR is only a fit for 2 inch hitches and your 2017 Mazda 6 only has 1-1/4 inch hitches available like the Curt #C11356, which would be your best choice. My recommendation is to purchase an economical class I…

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Answer 4

For your 2017 Mazda 6, the Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch Receiver #24908 was a great choice. The biggest thing to not is the hitch pin hole is about 6-1/4 inches recessed from the outermost part of the bumper. The Swagman XTC #S64670 is a great…

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Answer 5

I've created a photo for you showing all three hitches next to each other. The hitch in the middle 24908 by Draw-Tite is no longer available. Both of the two remaining hitches share a very similar design, have the same weight capacities and would…

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Answer 6

Hi Bob, Let's start with the trailer hitch. If your JGC isn't a EcoDiesel or Trackhawk model, the Draw-Tite Class III hitch #75699 would be an excellent choice. If it is one of those models, let me know. Let's jump to the brake controller…

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Answer 7

There are both Class I and Class III trailer hitches available that are confirmed to fit your 2010 Honda CR-V. The available Class I hitches, such as the Draw-Tite Sport Frame #24792, feature a square tube design, while the Class III hitches like the…

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Answer 8

The Curt Hitch part #C11356 that you referenced has been confirmed to fit your 2016 Mazda 6 so I would recommend it for you. I attached an install video for you to check out as well.

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Answer 9

Yes, the Curt Hitch part #C11356 is a confirmed fit for your 2016 Mazda 6, which will work great with the cargo carrier part #C18145 and will also work great with the etrailer bag part #e98990. Curt requires the use of their stabilizer strap part…

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Answer 10

The Curt Trailer Hitch Support Strap part #18050 is required to be used with all Curt Class I hitch receivers for all non-towing purposes. As you are using the hitch to secure a bike rack, you will need to use this strap to further support the load…

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Answer 11

Draw Tite does not require the use of a stabilizer strap like part #18050 when used with non-supported loads like a bike rack or cargo carrier. It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to use the strap with a Draw Tite hitch, but failing to use it…

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Answer 12

Although the Kuat Alpha has a 3 bike capacity, when it is used with a class I receiver such as the one on your Mazda, you should only place 2 bikes on it. This is not only due to the limited tongue weight capacity of the hitch, but also because of…

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How to Carry Three Bikes on a 2017 Mazda 6 Grand Touring

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