Recommended E-Bike Bike Rack for a 1-1/4" Hitch on a Flat Towed Vehicle

Updated 07/17/2025 | Published 07/06/2025

Products Featured in This Question

Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount

(516)

$878.95

Phat Bike Adapter Kit for Kuat Bike Racks

(140)

$19.00

Kuat NV 2.0 Base 2-Bike Platform Rack - 1-1/4" Hitches - Wheel Mount - Matte Black

(400)

$898.00

Question:

I just watched the full video about the Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes and I thought GREAT, this will work for me. Until I saw that its want approved for a flat tow vehicle. I have about 4 bike racks now having added new ones each time I get a new car or RV or tow dolly. Now I just bought a Fiat 500 with a 1 1/4 hitch that I can flat tow. I have a 2 and a 1 1/4 Kuat rack. The 1 1/4 is rated at 40 lbs per tray and my e-bike is about 50 without the battery. My second bike is a carbon fiber mountain bike. So I need to carry both bikes on the back of a Fiat with a 1 1/4 hitch while being flat towed. HELP!

asked by: Jonathan C

Expert Reply:

Hey Jonathan thanks for all the information! I've got one bike rack that is going to meet your needs it's the Kuat NV 2.0 Base 2-Bike Platform Rack item # BA12B. This wheel mount bike rack has a 60 lbs per bike capacity. It's designed to fit class I 1-1/4" and is rated to be used on a flat towed vehicle. The wheel straps fit tires up to 3" wide. There is one fat tire adapter included that expands to accommodate up to a 5" tire. A second adapter can be purchased separately if required item # APBK.

The Kuat NV 2.0 item # BA12B is going to work extremely well with your carbon bike. The wheel mount feature will secure your bike by it's front wheel over gripping the delicate frame. What kind of e-bike do you have?

expert reply by: Jerred H

Kuat NV 2.0
(click to enlarge)

Jonathan

7/7/2025

My e-bike is a Specialized Como Turbo, medium tires, streamlined frame. The battery is integrated but easily removed.

Jerred H.

7/8/2025

@Jonathan Ok, good. The front fenders on those Turbo Como's doesn't extend over the wheel enough to cause an issue with the hooks on the Kuat NV 2.0 Base 2-Bike Platform Rack item # BA12B.

Jonathan

7/7/2025

Jerred: After sending my original question I continued to search and found the Yakima StageTwo Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Wheel Mount - Black Part Number: Y67VR. It appears to have similar specs to the Kuat but it's a bit cheaper (and now on sale). Any thoughts about one over the other? Also, in reading customer comments about the Yakima there are several that mention 2" and 2.5" hitches, and being approved for 5-wheel & RV use. Clearly the Yakima for 1.25" hitch isn't what they're referring to. What's going on here?

Jerred H.

7/8/2025

@Jonathan The Yakima StageTwo Bike Rack item # Y67VR only works with class II 1-1/4" hitches. I have never seen a hitch for a Fiat 500 that isn't a class I. If you would like to get me a part number off of your hitch or your Fiat's model year I can verify what class yours is. The Kuat NV 2.0 Base 2-Bike Platform Rack item # BA12B fits class I and II 1-1/4" hitches. They may be talking about the 2" Yakima StageTwo Bike Rack item # Y78QD. It's rated for motorhome use. Other than that I have no idea.

Jonathan

7/16/2025

@JerredH Hi again. I received the Fiat today and checked the hitch it came with. It looks very substantial. It has "24873 AUTHORIZED DRAWBAR KIT 3593" on it. It looks like 24873 matches a class I hitch part number on your site. So that confirms class I as you suspected, correct?