dl7631

Hello, everybody!

I have a 2008 VW Passat Wagon (I was told it's pretty similar to 2007 model).
I am considering installing a 1.25" hitch and buying a rear bike carrier that is then installed on the hitch. However, I need to carry 4 bikes.
The 1.25" hitch for this car is Class-I rated. The bike carrier manufacturers (like Thule) - do not recommend carrying 3 or more bikes on a Class-I rated hitch.

Has anyone any experience with going against this recommendation and schlepping 3 or 4 bikes on their 1.25" hitch?
Could you please share your experience?

Thanks a lot!

Looigi

I suspect the hitch will be strong enough for 4 bikes. Rated tongue load is at the ball which is will be some distance behind the receiver. Here's a site that lists many 4-bike hitch racks, some are 2" but many are also 1.25".

4 Bikes Hitch Bike Racks | etrailer.com

Little Darwin

I had a 2 bike rack for a 1.25 (with an adapter to fit my 2" receiver), and within a month it was sagging... possibly from leaning on it during loading and unloading.

I prefer the platform style racks, so ended up buying a Yakima Hold up for 2 bikes, and an extender to carry 4 when I need them. I am usually in 2 bike mode on the rack, but the few times I needed 4, it worked great. Expensive, but I can envision it lasting for quite a while.

dedhed

I've had my Graber (now Saris) T rax 4 bike with 1.25 insert for at least 20 years without any problems ever.

dl7631

@Looigi: that's the point. Those 4-bike racks that fit both 1.25" and 2" hitches: once you look at the instructions, they say: carry only 2 bikes if you have a Class 1 rated hitch. I spoke with Thule - they confirmed I should not put 4 bikes on it despite the fact that 4 bikes cold fit on it. @dedhed: So, you frequently carry 4 bikes on your 1.25" hitch? Do you usually go long distances?

MattoftheRocks

They're rated for "two bikes". They have to be able to withstand the weight of two walmart mtb shaped objects which can weigh close to forty pounds each. Find an actual weight limit listed for the hitch and the rack then weigh your bikes. If the limit is eighty pounds, then some of us could carry five of our bikes on a class I. I am probably wrong.

Little Darwin

Also, as far as weight, although none of the manufacturers I have seen adjust their weight limit, I have seen several suggest loading bikes from heaviest to lightest.

LuckySailor

Uh, honey, it's time to get a bigger tow vehicle!

dedhed

I've always had a class 2 hitch in the 1¼" size. I've also made an adaptor/extender to run it in my conversion van 2" receiver so it clears the outside mounted spare. Run hundreds of miles with 4 bikes when all the kids were around. The Saris allows for 4 bikes (140#) according to the spec.
https://www.saris.com/uploads/PDF/Man.../306-t-rax.pdf

LuckySailor

Anyhow, the hitch will be strong enough-that is not the problem. The problem will be when you enter and exit some driveway approaches that are not level with the road. You will scrape the last 2 bikes on the rack on the ground because they hang back so far, and once you have loaded the car with 4 passengers, and some gear in the back and the bikes you will be riding lower, creating a big problem in the back. I was making a funny before, but I am being serious.