What Does it Mean that Curt Hitch Can't be Used with Vertical Bike Rack

Updated 04/16/2026 | Published 03/12/2025

Products Featured in This Question

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

(2)

$209.87

Yakima HangTight Vertical Bike Rack for 6 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Tilting

(5)

$878.95

Question:

Hi, Ive purchased several receiver hitches from you in the past, most recently for my 2 Kia K5 sedans. Presently I have a 2025 Kia K4 and wish to purchase a receiver hitch in order to use my Thule bike rack that Ive had for many years. I was looking at the Curt website for this receiver, and they have a caution that this receiver is not suitable for bike racks that hold the bikes vertically. Of course holding bikesinch verticallyinch is pretty much what every hitch mounted bike rack does. Can you please confirm whether this receiver hitch, mounted on a Kia K4 is suitable for carrying bikes on a bike rack? You website states it can handle 200lbs. Thank you, Timothy

asked by: Timothy H

Expert Reply:

Hey Timothy, this is a great question but what Curt means by vertically in terms of bike racks for the Curt hitch part # C47MJ is a different style of bike rack but I can see the confusion. For example a vertical bike rack is the Yakima HangTight part # Y39GR which I attached a picture of.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Yakima Hangtight
(click to enlarge)

Timothy

3/19/2025

That makes sense! Thank you very much for your reply. Timothy Healy

Jameson C.

3/19/2025

@Timothy Glad to help!!

Alex

12/16/2025

Why are vertical style bike racks not suitable? Id think they would have less torque than further out racks.

Jameson C.

12/16/2025

@Alex really great question but while the vertical racks don't stick out as far they stick up a lot higher which has a similar effect at increasing leverage on the hitch.

Dustin

4/16/2026

@JamesonC does this mean horizontal bike racks are suitable. For instance, the Yakima stage two + 2add on? It would seem to be that this type of rack would have significantly more leverage due to it's long length versus the vertical? I had a Curt class 3 hitch on my 2016 Honda CRV with a Northshore vertical bike rack with no issues. Curt did not have the vertical bike warning when i purchased the hitch 5 years ago (i remember specifically checking), and now it is listed on their site that you can't use vertical bike rack which i find odd.

Jameson C.

4/16/2026

@Dustin The Yakima Stage two # Y88QD can be used with this hitch but there isn't an add on for this version of the rack since its for the smaller hitch size.