Hitch problem/question

[SEHMIATA]

So I ordered the DrawTite hitch and installed it myself. Other than needing another set of hands to hold the hitch while I tightened it, it was a piece of cake.

So tonight I put the Hollywood hitch bike rack on it and guess what - it doesn't go all the way in. The hitch receiver has a small bit of metal inside it that seems to be a "stop" so that what is inserted into the hitch does not go all the way through. As a result, the hitch rack does not line up with the holes in the hitch receiver. Is this normal - the piece of metal in the hitch? If so, what do I do now that I have a hitch rack that doesn't line up?

 

[OilGuy]

I've got the same problem. I thought about taking a dremmel tool and making a channel in the bike rack so it would slide past the metal tab.

 

[Franzy]

Here is the short answer. On you receiver tube, Drill and Dremmel that little tab out. I had the same issue after I put my receiver hitch on.

Here's the reasoning I've been given and the result of what I've experienced. That tab is do differentiate your class I hitch from a class II. Even though they are the same size, it's about actual vehicle capability. The manufacturers tell the hitch vendors their stated limits and that's what comes out of it.

Now, I drilled mine out and attached a class II hitch insert in there. I then towed all my crap across the states when I moved, using this setup. I did pay attention to the weight limit and no big take off's or stops. All was OK.
In your case; just remain aware on how much "Bike" weight you put on that hitch.
It should be 200lb's, but that can be a lot of torque too. You should be OK though.

 

[OilGuy]

Exactly my strategy as well. Good to see you have had success with it. I believe 200lb should include both the rack and bikes.

 

[SEHMIATA]

I did end up drilling out the tab. I did a "test run" by loading the bike rack and three bikes (2 adult and 1 child) being mindful that the total weight of the bikes and the rack could not exceed 200 lbs. I think that the set-up will work fine, although ymmv. I will be testing it out "for real" next weekend when I load up the car for the first of several camping trips.

 

[ljmattox]

This thread has gone fairly quiet, but I just ran into this again over the weekend.

My father-in-law bought a new 1.25" Yakima hitch 2-bike rack, I helped him assemble it but then couldn't get it to go into the receiver far enough to insert the cross-pin/bolt. I thought of this thread...sure enough, peering inside there was the tab/stop to let inserts go only so far. Some 3/8's drill and Dremel work remedied this issue.

Checking the bike rack receiver on my 5...yup, sure enough. I have the tab stop as well. I'll wait till I have something I need to mount that interferes before going for the drill again.

 

[SEHMIATA]

So I used the rack after drilling out the tab - no problem at all. Some slight wobble once it was loaded up, but no more than I expected.

I've got some pics of the M5 loaded up with the bike rack. I'll try and post them later today.

 

[theprotege99]

Raise receiver into position and select attaching holes in side brackets to allow for fascia clearance. Using the optional floor jack will make it much easier to line up the receiver mounting holes with the frame.

 

[SEHMIATA]

Here are the pics of the M5 loaded up to the gills.

And no shot is complete without at least a glimpse of Pepper - my 06 MX-5.

The rear was sagging a little.

 

[mazdadude]

SEHMIATA!!! Thanks for the pictures of the weekend warrior! (2thumbs)

The next post from SEHMIATA will be--"How come my rear shocks are leaking?"(wedge)

But seriously, I have been looking at carrying two bikes, or a small Honda Trail Bike on mine. I appreciate all the information so far from everyone!

 

[SEHMIATA]

To my surprise, the car handled fine. I was quite conservative with my driving, but was still pleased. Also, MPG only dropped 1.5 mpg or so, which isn't too bad.

 

[Franzy]

Wobbling

The way this type of hitch attaches is gonna allow for some wobble. The give that it has on the M5 is nothing compared to some other cars. I saw a mini Cooper that had 2 bikes on it. When the car turned, you could see not only the sway of the rack but the twisting torque. The 5 does pretty good, all things considered, for a class I hitch.(whistle)

 

[lennyslosers]

Interested in pulling a very small trailer 3X5 or 4X8, what do you think? Owners manual says not to pull a trailer. I have seen smaller cars pull trailers why not ours. Only hauling small loads (2 sheets of plywood, garden supplies etc...)
2009 Mazda 5 sport

 

[KBrian]

Many on this forum have installed trailer hitches on their 5's, but most use them to carry bycicles. However, some are pulling utility trailers. Check the hitch thread to see what others think.

 

[playmtb]

Hitch is swaying up/down when loaded with bikes

Hi,

I have a 2007 Mazda 5 with a hitch that was professionally installed. When I load my Yakima Stickup rack with 2 bikes (total weight of both bikes is 80 pounds) I find that the rack moves up and down a lot when on the road. i dont think this is the rack itself moving but rather the piece that the hitch/rack is connected to. It almost seems that the hitch is connected to the suspension and therefore whenever the suspension moves up/down so does the rack.

Just wondering if anyone else with a mazda 5 has experienced this? It does not sway side to side just up and down.

Thanks

 

[Wishmaster]

Are you sure it's the system moving? This sounds like it may be just the parts/arms that you've attached the bikes to or the rack itself somehow moving. If something is moving that much, with only an 80 pound load, and you think it's the connection points moving, you should be able to replicate the movement by grabbing onto the unloaded rack and pulling hard up and down. Best to also get down and give many parts of the system good hard tugs and pulls to see if there is any play or movement. If nothing moves, then it's most likely the bikes or as mentioned the arms and/or something to do with how you're attaching the bikes.

These hitches are a very simple install and in no way would they or could they be attached to the suspension.

 

[SuperJETT]

If it were connected to the suspension, then it wouldn't move in relation to the road and the jarring would destroy it in a few trips.

 

[deisz001]

Hi,

I have a 2007 Mazda 5 with a hitch that was professionally installed. When I load my Yakima Stickup rack with 2 bikes (total weight of both bikes is 80 pounds) I find that the rack moves up and down a lot when on the road. i dont think this is the rack itself moving but rather the piece that the hitch/rack is connected to. It almost seems that the hitch is connected to the suspension and therefore whenever the suspension moves up/down so does the rack.

Just wondering if anyone else with a mazda 5 has experienced this? It does not sway side to side just up and down.

Thanks

You should be able to see how it is connected to the Mazda5. Just lie on your back and slide under the car. My hitch is connected to the chassis and moves only slightly under the maximum allowed load of 165 pounds.

 

[mpvue]

for those of you putting class II bike racks in a class I receiver, you are taking all the risk upon yourselves, going beyond the capabilities of the vehicle. the rating is not really about the WEIGHT, but the LEVERAGE, which is why generally those bike racks are only for 2 bikes when used on a class I/II setup.
I emailed one of the companies that makes hitch mounted boxes, and they would NOT recommend any of their products for the MAzda5.
a small trailer would be actually LESS strain on the receiver (the receiver is fine, it's the attachment points on the weak chassis that is the problem) because a trailer doesn't have any unsupported leverage like a bike rack.