What Hitch to Carry Thule T2 Bike Rack on Mazda 3 Hatchback
Updated 07/14/2020 | Published 07/12/2020
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
Hi, Im in the market for a wheel-mount rack and have come across a good deal on an older Thule 917XTR 2-bike 1.25inch rack. This Draw Tite hitch seems to be an all-around great option for my 2010 Mazda 3 hatchback. My question is if this hitch would provide enough clearance from the bumper for that particular bike rack when the rack is in the folded position? As best I can tell, the 917 has the same measurements as the T2 Classic? Not certain on this... Thanks for any help you can provide.
asked by: Nathan
Expert Reply:
I have a solution for you but you are correct you will have clearance issues with your bike rack and Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch Receiver # 24843. The center of the hitch pin hole to the outside edge of your bumper is roughly 7-1/2" and the closest point of the T2 bike rack to the center of the hitch pin hole is 3-1/2". The dimensions are very similar to your bike rack.
You can make this work by using CR Brophy Hitch Extender for 1-1/4" Hitch Receivers # hes6. This gives you an additional 5-3/4" of length to allow your bike rack to work with the Draw-Tite hitch. This would put the closest part of your bike rack to the center of the hitch pin hole at 9-1/4" roughly 1-3/4" of clearance between your bike rack and bumper, which is more than enough. This extender does reduce the hitches weight capacity by 50%. After reducing your capacity to 100 lbs of tongue weight on your hitch the bike rack weighing about 50 lbs and the extender weighing about 4 lbs you lose a lot of capacity only being able to safely haul 45 lbs total between two bikes.
The bike racks anti-rattle bolt will work with this extender, but you will need to pick up and pin & clip # PC2 to secure the extender to your hitch but to be more secure I would get a locking pin like the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver Lock # e98879. I would also pick up an anti-rattle device like the Roadmaster Quiet Hitch for 1-1/4" Trailer Hitches
Item # RM-061-125. With the weight of the bike rack in the extender this will help cut down on the movement within your extender.
Another option is the Curt 1-14" Trailer Hitch Reciever # C11383. This one has the same capacities, but it has better clearance at 3-1/4" from the center of the hitch pin hole to the outer edge of the bumper. The one drawback to this hitch is that you need to use a stabilizing strap # 18050 for non-wheeled load like your bike rack. The strap helps take some of the stress off of your hitch when carrying bike racks cargo carriers.
