Availability of a 2-Inch Hitch Receiver for the 2014 Chevrolet Volt for Use With a 2-Inch Bike Rack  

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Expert Reply:

The Curt Class I Hitch Receiver for the 2014 Chevrolet Volt, part # C11221, is the only hitch offered for your vehicle. This hitch has a 1-1/4-inch receiver opening and has a rated tongue weight capacity (the downward force on the hitch) of 200-lbs. A Class I hitch can carry only 2 bikes.

There are no 2-inch hitches available for your vehicle and it is unlikely that any will be offered in the future. Hitch makers base their hitch designs on the vehicle's own frame capacity and if only a Class I hitch is offered for the Volt it is because the vehicle frame cannot support a higher-capacity (larger size) hitch.

Although there are adapters to enable use of 2-inch accessories like bike racks in a 1-1/4-inch hitch receiver, these adapters all have the unavoidable side-effect of cutting your hitch's weight capacity by 50-percent. Use of an adapter in a Class I hitch would mean that its total weight rating drops to 100-lbs. It is possible that your 2 bikes' weight plus the weight of your rack might be within this limit, but this is not the safest option. Adapters add an additional connection point between the rack and the hitch and this will lead to more random motion of the rack when you are driving.

A better option is to select a 1-1/4-inch 2-bike Class I bike rack to go along with the Class I hitch. I have included a link to our main page for all such hanging-style carriers. You can use the filters at the left side of the page to narrow the results by brand, rack material and other features.

For example, if you prefer a rack with built-in locks for the rack itself and your loaded bikes, you might consider the Thule EasyFold # TH903202. This carrier fits both 1-1/4-inch and 2-inch hitches, handles heavy bikes and even features a loading ramp.

I have linked an article on bike racks that will help you consider what type may be the best fit for your particular bikes. It also shows how to take a simple measurement of your hitch to determine how much clearance you need from a rack.

Curt Class I hitches must be used with a stabilizing strap such as # 18050 to protect your hitch warranty and to help reduce random motion of the rack when you are on the road.

expert reply by: Adam R

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