How to Use 2-Inch Hitch-Mount Bike Rack in a 1-1/4-Inch Class I Hitch Receiver on 2011 Ford Fusion  

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Hitches and hitch-mount accessories such as bike racks and cargo carriers are categorized not only by hitch size but also by towing class. The Class I hitch on your 2011 Fusion is the only type we offer for your vehicle; we offer three brands of 1-1/4-inch Class I hitch for your car and they all can be seen on the link provided. Each has the same 200-lb tongue weight capacity (tongue weight is the downward force applied to a hitch by a bike rack or trailer).

You might refer to the linked article concerning hitch classes that details their capacities. I have also linked an article regarding hitch-mount bike racks. Please note that a Class I hitch can be used to carry only 2 bikes, regardless of the rack brand, weight, design or bike-carrying capacity.

Many bike racks are designed to enable use in either a 1-1/4-inch or 2-inch receivers; these carriers include shank adapters that can be added or removed as needed. These adapters serve a function similar to that of the Brophy Hitch Adapter # HTAD that you referenced but with one very important difference. The shank adapter included with bike racks such as the Thule Helium Aero # TH9042 does not reduce the weight capacity of your hitch.

Use of any adapter like the Brophy will have the unavoidable side-effect of reducing your hitch capacity by 50-percent. This is a result of the altered geometry; the hitch adapter will cause the forces on the hitch to be magnified much in the same way that adding a length of pipe will allow more leverage on a tire iron for example. This means that your 200-lb rated Class I hitch would have an actual tongue weight capacity of only 100-lbs. This is often less than the total combined weight of a hitch-mount 2-bike rack and two bikes.

If you happen to have a very lightweight rack and if your bike weight load is moderate, say two (but no more than two) 30-lb bikes, then with the Brophy adapter you still would be within the reduced 100-lb hitch capacity. In this case I would strongly recommend use of a stabilizing strap to help take some stress off the hitch by absorbing some of the weight load and reducing random motion of the rack. Curt offers part # 18050 and actually requires it be used with bike racks on all of their Class I hitches (or the warranty is void).

For long-term satisfaction and safety you will be better off selecting a new 2-bike Class I rack that will not require use of an adapter and allow you to retain the full 200-lb hitch rating. The link provided will let you see all hanging-style 2-bike Class I racks that will fit your 1-1/4-inch hitch.

expert reply by: Adam R

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