Carrying Bikes and Towing a Kayak Trailer with a 1-1/4 Inch Trailer Hitch

Updated 07/17/2014 | Published 07/16/2014

Question:

Can you use dual hitch Code: MT70066 in a 1 1/4inch receiver with an adapter. Hauling a bike rack and a Malone kayak trailer. Thanks

asked by: Robert M

Expert Reply:

Technically you could use the MaxxTow Ball Mount, # MT70066, with a 1-1/4 to 2 inch hitch adapter, but I would not recommend doing this and I would bet that you would not be happy with this setup. There would be a lot of movement with the bike rack and bikes, even with anti-rattle devices and the use of an adapter will decrease the tongue weight capacity of your trailer hitch by half. This means the weight of the bike rack, bikes and trailer will have to be lower than half the tongue weight of your trailer hitch or tow vehicle depending on which is lower.

My recommendation would be to carry the bikes on the roof of your vehicle or with a trunk mounted bike rack and tow the trailer with the trailer hitch. Carrying the bikes on the roof will require a roof rack, but this would be the safest way to carry your bikes and tow a trailer. Using a trunk mounted bike rack could cause interference between the trailer and bikes during turns.

Another option, if it is possible, would be to upgrade your trailer hitch to a 2 inch hitch. Not all vehicles have 2 inch trailer hitches available (mainly cars), but I can give you your options if you would like to send me the year, make and model of your vehicle.

expert reply by: John H