m2244

Hello,

I have a Honda Civic and I would like to put a Reese mount for a bike rack, probably only a 2-bike setup. I doubt I will ever use it for anything other than a bike rack. I've heard there are two sizes, 1.25" and something else but I can't find it. First time dealing with something like this. Should I go with the 1.25"?

Tandem Tom

I work in a bike shop and we sell quite a few rear racks. 1.25" is fine. BTW our most popular rack is a Saris Freedom 2. Ihave one on my wife's car. You only need a 2" receiver if you are going to use a 4 bike hitch rack.

dedhed

I'd be surprised if you can even buy anything but a Class I (1.25") hitch for any Honda civic

​​​​​​https://www.curtmfg.com/types-trailer-hitches

freetors

I would also be surprised if you could get anything other than a 1.25" hitch for a civic. My first gen forester was only available with 1.25" class 2 hitches also, although later years could put on 2". So I bought the small on and chopped off the receiver and welded on a 2" receiver. The base hitch was still rated for 300 lbs tongue/3500 lbs tow which is far beyond what I would ever actually want to tow with it. IMO, a 2" receiver is much more versatile so it was definitely worth the work for me.

m2244

Thanks everyone. I just ordered a 1.25"

Now my wife and I can hit the trails a little easier than with our trunk rack.

t2p

when possible - opt for a 2" receiver hitch over 1.25" hitch

( more quality / heavy duty attachments are designed for 2" receiver )

but often not an option with a smaller vehicle

if you need to attach items for 2" receiver to a 1.25 " receiver - you can use an adapter (pics above ; adapter above has 4" rise )

Camilo

My Impreza has a 1-1/4" receiver. I happen to have a 2" Yakima rack so I just bought a 1-1/4 to 2" adapter and have been using it for years. Using the 2" adapter does not change the weight limit for the car from the capacity of a 1-1/4" hitch to whatever a 2" hitch would be. In fact, since it extends about 8", it actually reduces the weight capacity because of leverage, there's info on that sort of thing available. I don't worry about it since I'm smart enough to understand that concept without being told and am very easy on loading that thing. But a lot of people aren't, that's why certain cars only authorize 1-1/4" receivers.

I've recently started using a anti-rattle clamp for the adapter, because it rattled like heck. There's lots of versions, I just bought what was available locally and doesn't require tools to use. The bike rack itself has a threaded bolt holding it to the receiver (adapter in this case) so it doesn't rattle and doesn't need a anti-rattle clamp.

For years we've had trucks and SUVs with 2 inch receivers and haul a boat. That's why I have a 2" bike rack.

So, go with whatever is "authorized" for your car. But don't worry if you have a 1-1/4 receiver and happen to have or get a 2" bike rack -or vice versa - because you can actually adapt either way.

dedhed

I bought a hitch rack that fits both 1.25" and 2" hitches as my fleet of vehicles has both size hitches in it.