Safest Way to Carry Two E-Bikes With a 2026 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid

Updated 08/22/2026 | Published 08/16/2026

Question:

I have a 2026 *hybrid* Honda CR-V Sport Touring. Im trying to haul two ebikes that weigh 48 lbs each without the battery in place, plus the Kuat NV 2.0 bike rack with 2 receiver, weighing another 58 lbs. Total = 154 lbs. According to Honda and two AI discussions, even if I go with a Class 3 hitch, allowing for much greater tongue weight, I am limited by the vehicles towing weight and tongue weight 100 lbs for hybrid version. AI says that although the official answer is no, dont do it, experientially consumers have done this many times over without any damage to their car though it probably voids the warranty. Copilots AI suggested that with a weight distribution kit, this would be completely safe. I need guidance! Please... Margo Heine

asked by: Margo H

Expert Reply:

Hi Margo, I’d love to tell you that carrying both e bikes on the Kuat NV 2.0 part # BA22B would be safe, but sadly you’d still be over the 100 lb tongue weight rating for your 2026 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid. Your two bikes weigh 48 lbs each with the batteries removed, so you have 96 lbs of bikes plus about 52 lbs for the Kuat, putting roughly 148 lbs on the hitch. Even with a higher capacity Class III hitch, we have to go by the Honda’s lower rating, so I wouldn’t recommend carrying that setup on the back of the CR-V.

You could go with a lighter bike rack, but that really doesn’t solve the problem here. With the bikes alone weighing 96 lbs, you only have about 4 lbs left to work with before reaching that 100 lb limit. I know that’s a tough answer when you’ve already done everything you can to lighten the bikes by pulling the batteries.

What I would do instead is tow a small lightweight trailer and carry the bikes on that. A trailer supports the majority of its weight on its own axle, so you can keep the actual tongue weight on the CR-V under 100 lbs while also making sure the total loaded trailer stays within Honda’s towing capacity. If you go this route, the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver part # C13397 gives you the 2 inch receiver you’ll need. I wouldn’t rely on other owners exceeding Honda’s rating without having problems, since there’s no way for us to know how that extra weight may affect your particular CR-V over time.

If you’d like, I’d be happy to help you figure out what you’d need to get the CR V set up to tow a little bike trailer. Are you usually taking the bikes to local trails or bringing them along on longer trips?

expert reply by: Heather A