Parts Needed to Tow With 2006 Toyota Matrix XR & Can Bikes be Brought

Published 06/01/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Kuat Sherpa 2.0 Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Wheel Mount - Gray

(585)

$759.00

2" Hitch Ball - 3/4" Diameter x 1-9/16" Long Shank - Chrome - 3,500 lbs

(2597)

$18.27

Draw-Tite Drawbar for 1-1/4" Hitches - 5" Rise - 10" Long - 3,500 lbs

(2283)

$36.98

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

(51)

$198.08

Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(33)

$40.96

Question:

I have a 2006 Toyota Matrix XR and Im preparing to head coast-to-coast with it hauling a u-haul 4x8foot trailer, a couple of bikes hybrid and beach cruiser, and Id like to do it all with a hitch-based solution. Im looking at buying a Kuat Sherpa 2.0 along with a 1-1/4inch hitch receiver no 2inch receiver for a Matrix. I see solutions for a 2inch or 2.5inch receiver search dual hitch but not anything for a 1-1/4inch receiver. Adapting this with a coupler to a 2inch receiver seems like a really bad idea. Is there some good solution to what Im looking at? Max tow capacity of a Matrix is 1500 lbs. The trailer is 850 lbs unloaded. Im looking at a class 2 Curt receiver C12013 and all parts being at least 2500 lbs if not 3500 lbs capable 36065 drawbar, 19258 ball. One bike is probably 23 lbs, the other is more like 36. Any solutions here? I dont want to buy multiple bike racks and Id like to have the Sherpa in the future.

asked by: Jeffrey K

Expert Reply:

I'll just rip this band-aid off as fast as I can but there is just not a way to use a standard hitch-mounted bike rack and tow at the same time with your 2006 Toyota Matrix XR. The issue, like you said, is the 1-1/4 inch hitch not having an adapter; even if it did though, hitch adapters reduce hitch capacity by 50% so you'd be going over that as well. The only solution would be to add a roof rack and two roof-mounted bike racks, and that's awful expensive for one trip. If you want to do that, let me know and I can recommend the parts if you let me know if you have a bare roof or raised side rails.

The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 Bike Rack # SH12G is an amazing rack but there just isn't a way to use it - or any other rack - while towing. But for your trip, you do have the correct parts for your 2006 Toyota Matrix XR, though you do need a wiring harness as well. Here are the parts you need, with the ball mount and ball you mentioned:

- Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C12013

- T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector # C55522

- Drawbar # 36065

- 2" Hitch Ball # 19258