Solution For Using A 2-Bike Carrier On Two Vehicles With Different Size Hitch Receivers

Updated 04/07/2021 | Published 04/06/2021

Products Featured in This Question

RockyMounts MonoRail Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Wheel Mount

(374)

$439.99

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

(253)

$77.50

Thule T2 Pro XTR Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Wheel Mount

(172)

$718.95

Question:

I’m looking at buying a platform hitch mounted bike rack. I have two vehicles, one with a 2” receiver, the other with a 1 1/4” receiver. It is better to get 2” receiver bike rack and an 1 1/4”adapter, or get a 1 1/4 bike rack with an 2” adapter?? Considering the Rockymounts monorail or the Thule T2 pro XTR.

asked by: Mike

Expert Reply:

It is typically a better idea to use a bike rack that can fit 1-1/4" and 2" receivers, rather then try to use a hitch adapter to convert a 2" bike rack to fit a 1-1/4" receiver which will reduce your hitch receiver's capacity by 50%. You can, however, use hitch adapter # HT02 to convert a 2" receiver to fit a 1-1/4" bike rack and this will not reduce your hitch capacity.

So you could certainly use Thule T2 Pro XTR Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Wheel Mount # TH23JV with the hitch adapter # HT02, or the RockyMounts MonoRail Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches # RKY10003 with the hitch adapter # HT02 so that it can fit both 1-1/4" and 2" receivers.

I recommend going a different route and getting a bike rack that can fit both 1-1/4" and 2" receivers without the use of an adapter, which will be easier to use and will likely have less wobble. For this, I would go with Saris SuperClamp EX 2 Bike Platform Rack - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount # SA4025F. This is a wheel mount carrier just as the Thule T2 XTR and RockyMounts MonoRail and it has a weight capacity of 60lbs per bike. I attached demonstration videos for you to check out.