Does Tongue Weight Capacity Get Reduced if Carrying Bike Rack

Updated 08/17/2026 | Published 11/30/2023

Products Featured in This Question

EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"

(37)

$390.67

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

(174)

$899.95

Question:

Is the maximum tongue weight of the hitch directly comparable to the weight of the bike rack plus bikes? I was talking to my local hitch shop about installing this hitch and he warned me that the 300 lb tongue weight rating on the hitch does NOT mean that I can actually put a bike rack and bikes weighing that much on the hitch… He said because the bike rack Thule T2 Pro XTR hangs off the hitch by two feet, I need to halve the tongue weight as a rule of thumb to figure out how much weight it can actually support. Do you agree? In other words I could only put 150 pounds including the bike rack on the hitch? Two E bikes plus the rack would be over that limit… Or practically speaking, do most people go up to the tongue weight without issues?

asked by: Amir N

Expert Reply:

The guy you talked to is completely incorrect. I am not sure where he came up with that but the only time you have to reduce the capacity of a hitch is when you use a hitch extender. The EcoHitch part # 306-X7332 when used with a bike rack like the Thule T2 part # TH83JV does not have any tongue weight capacity reduction from it's stated 300 lb capacity.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Eric

8/15/2026

Sorry but your expert is wrong.

Jameson C.

8/17/2026

@Eric based on what? We've sold hitches like this for years and no hitch manufacturer has given us a second set of tongue weight capacities when used with a bike rack.