Comparing the Thule T2 and Yakima HoldUp Trailer Hitch Mount Bike Racks for a 2011 Mazda CX-9

Updated 06/18/2013 | Published 06/17/2013

Products Featured in This Question

Yakima HoldUp Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount

(351)

$524.65

2-Bike Add-On for Thule Pro X Bike Rack

(1)

$371.12

Plus 2 2-Bike Add-On for Yakima HoldUp for 2" Hitches

(22)

$396.58

Question:

I have a 2011 Mazda CX-9 with a 2inch trailer hitch receiver Thanks, etrailer.com!. Id like a platform hitch rack and I like the Yakima HoldUp and Thule T2 style racks. I wonder why my CX-9 isnt listed as compatible with the 2013 HoldUp? Im pretty sure the previous version was marked as compatible with my car. Im also interested in the plus 2inch add-on. What do you think? Shouldnt this setup work with my CX-9?

asked by: Brian

Helpful Expert Reply:

Bike racks are not vehicle specific there are just some that vehicle owners purchase more often for certain vehicles than others. Since you have a 2 inch trailer hitch on your 2011 Mazda CX-9, you can use the Yakima HoldUp, # Y02443. The Thule T2, # TH83GC will also fit. I have linked video reviews of both racks for you.

The Holdup has a capacity of 60 pounds per bike and the T2 has a 50 pound per bike capacity. The HoldUp will accept 14 to 29 inch bike wheels. The T2 will accept 20 to 29 inch bike wheels. The T2 will accept bike tires up to 3 inches wide but the HoldUp only goes up to 2-1/2 inch wide tires. The T2 will accept wheelbases up to 49 inches. The HoldUp will accept wheelbases up to 47-3/4 inches.

The racks have many of the same features and accept similar types of bikes. They holdup weighs 62 pounds and the T2 weighs 52 pounds. You can also add a 2 bike extension to either rack (for the T2 it would be # TH55GC and for the HoldUp # Y02446).

This is a hard choice but for me, I like the style of the Yakima HoldUp better than the T2. Given how similar they are it really comes down to just that.

expert reply by: Michael H