How to carry 4 bikes?

[SEHMIATA]

So I would like to carry 4 bikes with our Mazda 5.

The plan was initially to buy a Class 1 hitch and put a 4 bike hitch rack. In doing my research, I have learned that Yakima and Thule don't allow Class 1 hitches and 4 bikes at the same time. I have not been able to locate any Class 2 hitches (which I assume do not exist given the warranty restrictions).

The only alternative I can think of is two on the back rack and 2 on a roof rack (with the mix of a roof mounted cargo box).

Anybody deal with this? How did you solve the problem?

Stephen

 

[red headz]

Makes me want to try mounting 4 bikes uptop and the Rocketbox...

I know I can carry three bikes and a rocketbox on my VW Golf TDI. Alternate forward and reverse facing bikes so the handlebars don't collide.

 

[CHICO2003]

Get an Element

 

[SEHMIATA]

That's more or less what I am thinking - extra wide cross-bars, four bike racks and the Rocketbox 15s. I'm pretty sure it will work. I'll bet I get a lot of stares!

Re Element - yeah, we like our Mazda5. Plus we have 4 family members. Hmm. Maybe I'll throw some stuff in MX5?

 

[deisz001]

How about three bikes on the towbar and one on the roof together with a roofbox?

 

[just ang]

The thing is, two of the bikes are little kid bikes...

 

[mpvue]

The thing is, two of the bikes are little kid bikes...

I've thought about this problem also, as 2 of ours would be kids bikes also. I was thinking of 2 uprights for the adult bikes, and a basket that I could strap the little bikes into.

 

[mars1100]

So I would like to carry 4 bikes with our Mazda 5.


Anybody deal with this? How did you solve the problem?

Stephen

I also have been looking for the right combination, I have settled on the Sport Rider 4 Hitch Rack -

http://www.hollywoodracks.com/hitch-racks/sportrider-hitch-rack-4.htm

someone recommended the website above on another post, I like the rack but still need to find the proper hitch if it is out there.

I don't want to use an adapter as I want to be sure the hitch can hold.

you did not say if you were looking for both hitch and rack as I am or if you were just looking for the hitch.

 

[mpvue]

someone recommended the website above on another post, I like the rack but still need to find the proper hitch if it is out there.

AFAIK, no one is making a 2" receiver hitch for the mazda5, only 1 1/4".

 

[SEHMIATA]

Correct re: 2" receiver. It doesn't exist as far based on my research. As a result, most 4 bike hitch racks will not work. Here is what we are going to do:

1. Thule roof rack kit with 50" cross bars
2. Rocketbox 15s cargo box (maybe will get a longer, thinner one, but unlikely)
3. One bike rack on the roof
4. Thule Roadway 4 with only three bikes on it.

I don't think there is any better way. But I'd appreciate suggestions.

 

[just ang]

I cannot imagine what on earth my car is going to look like. (attn)

 

[KBrian]

Nice to see (read) you back on the forum, Ang. I assume that Stephen belongs to you?

 

[was98strat]

Someone on this forum had a custom receiver built for their 5 if I remember correctly. The "Custom" receiver cost about the same as an off the shelf one!

 

[SEHMIATA]

Yep, Ang and I are married. She's the boss. The Mazda5 is her car. I'm a more frequent poster on miata.net.

As far as I know, there is no Class 2 or 2" receiver for the Mazda5, which means most of the 3 or 4 bike hitches are out of the question. Yesterday, I was at the REI used gear sale and picked up 58" (!) cross-bars for 20 bucks (a $50 savings) and two cross-bar mounted bike racks. Within 30 days or so, I will have everything on the car. Then we can see if the poor thing will have enough power to get out of the driveway.

Stephen

 

[just ang]

Yep, Ang and I are married. She's the boss. The Mazda5 is her car. I'm a more frequent poster on miata.net.

As far as I know, there is no Class 2 or 2" receiver for the Mazda5, which means most of the 3 or 4 bike hitches are out of the question. Yesterday, I was at the REI used gear sale and picked up 58" (!) cross-bars for 20 bucks (a $50 savings) and two cross-bar mounted bike racks. Within 30 days or so, I will have everything on the car. Then we can see if the poor thing will have enough power to get out of the driveway.

Stephen

LOL! Can you IMAGINE what crap gas mileage we will get if I am the one driving? As it is it's horrific because of me and my um, driving skills.

 

[just ang]

Nice to see (read) you back on the forum, Ang. I assume that Stephen belongs to you?

Thanks for the welcome back! Sorry, since I do nothing to my car, I never really have a reason to post. Other than my nifty tint, I haven't even put my zoom-zoom sticker on! Yes, Stephen belongs to me. He's lucky to have me I mean, I am lucky to have him.

 

[just ang]

We are also going to have to very carefully check the sun roof. If it's going to hit anything, we are going to have to put tape over the button as you know I'd end up forgetting and opening the dang thing.

 

[davidp]

Last summer we made a road trip carrying three bikes with a Class 1 receiver hitch and an Allen 532RR 3-bike rack. It worked very well for us.

 

[KBrian]

Sorry, since I do nothing to my car, I never really have a reason to post.

Aside from some winter tires and a rear bumper step plate, our 5 is the same as when it left the factory in 2007. Even still, I have managed to post about 300 times in the last 8 months (OMG!)

 

[SEHMIATA]

Last summer we made a road trip carrying three bikes with a Class 1 receiver hitch and an Allen 532RR 3-bike rack. It worked very well for us.

Looking at that rack, the instructions state that it should only be used on Class 2 receivers. I assume that the only issue of Class 1 v. Class 2 is the total weight (tongue weight) of the two different types of hitches.