Why Are Class I Hitches Limited to Carrying Only 2 Bikes on Bike Racks

Updated 06/06/2012 | Published 06/03/2012

Question:

I have a class 1 hitch with a 2,000lb capacity. Why would this hitch limit the number of bikes if its still within the weight capacity of the hitch? Thanks.

asked by: Rick

Expert Reply:

Your Class I hitch has a 2,000 lb gross weight capacity but only a 200 lb tongue weight capacity. The difference between these two capacities is that gross weight capacity refers to how heavy of a trailer you could tow, whereas the tongue weight capacity refers to how much vertical weight you could put on the hitch.

Tongue weight is the relevant capacity when it comes to bike racks because they put a vertical load on the hitch. Another thing you have to consider with bike racks is leverage. As you put more bikes on a rack you end up with the weight of the additional bikes being farther and farther away from the hitch. Which if you have ever used a cheater bar to break loose a bar you know that the longer the bolt the more torque you can apply.

So that is why you can not carry more than two bikes on a Class I hitch even if it is a 4 bike carrier like # TH9025XT. Its lower capacity can not handle the additional weight so far away from the hitch.

If you need to transport 4 bikes on a vehicle with a Class I hitch your best option would be to carry 2 of the bikes on a hitch mounted bike rack and then carry the other 2 bikes on a roof mounted bike racks. If you email me back with the year/make/model of your vehicle plus if it has a roof rack with cross bars that run from one side to the other or rails that run from front to back I could help you pick out the racks.

expert reply by: Jameson C