wunderkind

Hi there!

Family has expanded and I've decided that it is time to get one of those tow hitches installed on my Mazda6 wagon. I read that Class I hitch can carry up to 200lbs but max 2 bikes? We have two adult bikes and two child bikes. Is there really a need for Class II?

I am thinking to get a folder-able 3-bike carrier. That way I can toss the small child bike into the rear hatch.

Numbers don't seem to add up for me with 2 adult bikes (under 50lbs) and a child bike would exceed the limit of a Class 1 hitch. Please advise. Thanks.

Rootman

Class I always seem rather shaky and unstable, at least the cheap hitches I've had on a few cars did. I will always go with at least a class II just to be on the safe side.

Spld cyclist

Since the consequences of a hitch failure are substantial (at minimum, loss of the hitch and probably severe damage to the rack and whatever bikes are on it), it makes sense to go with Class II or higher if it's available for that car. Better safe than sorry.

Also, I haven't weighed my kids' bikes, but they sure feel just as heavy as our adult bikes.

scooter bopp

Is a class II hitch even available for a Mazda 6? I don't remember seeing one when I ordered the Hitch for my Mazda 6. These cars today just aren't built to tow anything heavy. Mine was a hatchback, but used the same hitch as the wagon. Fairly easy to install.
https://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2004_M...le=Sport+Wagon

wunderkind

Yeah. Been doing a bunch of research and so far only 1 1/4" is available for the Mazda6. Mine's a wagon. I think I'm gonna go with U-Haul. Lifetime warranty and all that.

rumrunn6

OP, you get a hitch?