Hitch Recommendation For A 2016 Ford Focus SE Hatchback

Updated 01/13/2021 | Published 01/09/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"

(91)

$171.17

Custom DK Fit Kit for 4 Rhino-Rack 2500 Series Roof Rack Legs - Naked Roof

(3340)

$129.99

Hollywood Racks Destination Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount

(888)

$199.99

Hitch Adapter 1-1/4" to 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver

(549)

$100.36

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

(8964)

$234.99

Rhino-Rack XTray Pro Cargo Basket and 2 Bike Carrier - Steel - 58-1/4" x 41" - 165 lbs

(57)

$611.77

Question:

Choosing between Drawtite 24872 and Curt C11158 for 2016 Focus SE Hatchback. I am wanting to use a platform bike rack with one of these and wanted to make sure I could use a Class 2 with these?

asked by: Kevin L

Expert Reply:

We do have a couple of solutions for your 2016 Ford Focus SE Hatchback application. Keep in mind, all of the hitches designed for your Focus SE are Class I, such as the Curt # C11158 which has a 1/1-4" receiver tube, 200 lbs. of tongue weight, and 2000 lbs. of gross trailer weight.

If you're determined to use a Class II bike rack with this Curt hitch, it is possible. Curt hitches do not come with the weld stop inside the receiver tube that is otherwise typical of Class I hitches, which acts as a safety lockout for larger Class II (and above) accessories. Liberated from this weld stop restriction, as long as you remain within the weight capacity of the hitch and rack, using specifically the Curt hitch, you'll be fine. If your Class II bike rack requires a 2" receiver, you can use an adapter like the # HTAD, but keep in mind that using this adapter will reduce your tongue weight capacity by 50%, or 100 lbs.

Sticking with Class I accessories originally designed to work with your vehicle's hitch, my platform bike rack recommendation to you is the Hollywood Racks Destination Two-Bike Rack # HLY94FR. Fully loaded with two 35 lb. bikes, this rack has a loaded tongue weight of 90 lbs. Your hitch will be more than ready to handle this load.

In general, Class I hitches are not recommended by bike rack manufacturers to haul more than two bikes at a time.

If you're looking to haul more bikes or more cargo than what a Class I hitch will support, you should also consider a solution such as a roof rack kit with Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars # RRVA126B-2, 2500 Series Legs for Vortex Aero Crossbars # RRRLKVA, and the Custom DK Fit Kit # DK307. These products open up the possibility of using a product like the Rhino-Rack XTray Pro # RRRMCB03 which can haul two bikes or more cargo.