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I'm in the market for a new vehicle--probably a Honda CR-V or a Mazda CX-5. These vehicles specify that trailer hitches should be 1.25 inches, not 2 inches. My current CR-V has a 2 inch hitch that I had someone install after market. Is a 1.25 inch sufficient for a bike rack with 3 bikes?
And while I have intelligent women reading, is there any advantage to getting the hitch installed by the dealer instead of UHaul? What about a roof rack?
I always thought roof racks were a DIY project.
Only roof racks I've ever used have been DIY - and fairly easy to take on and off, because you don't really want to have to drive long distances with a roof rack if you're not using it. If your car doesn't have rails, there are towers that clamp onto the door gutters.
I wouldn't worry a bit about the weight of a hitch rack, personally. If you're hauling any particularly massive bikes, maybe keep the heaviest ones closest to the car to reduce torque on the receiver.
If you are hauling any particularly massive bikes, I'd worry more about getting them on and off a roof rack on a vehicle that tall.
ETA: Thule has a rack selector that shows you which of their racks are compatible with 1.25" hitches. I'd assume the other manufacturers have similar.
Assuming you're generically asking about a roof rack - I wouldn't want one on either of those vehicles. I can roof mount bikes on my jetta wagon, but had a hard time getting half a kayak on an Element. Would have a similar problem with those vehicles. I don't like having to use a step stool while carrying heavy things - just my personal preference. I'm 5'5" for reference.
The roof rack is really more of an afterthought. My husband is thinking about buying a kayak and it makes more sense to put it up on the new vehicle.
My gut instinct is to stick with a hitch rack for bicycles, hence the real question of hitch size. I'm askeered of driving into the garage with the bike(s) on the roof!
I would bet the suggestion for a 1.25" hitch for an Element is to make sure people don't try to tow something over the limit for that vehicle.
I was just doing a little research into this as I'm getting really tired of the roof rack for my Mazda. I would need to put a 1.25 hitch on it and then get a tray rack. We need a new rack for our SUV, which has a full blown 2" hitch. I found out that adapters to go up are only about $15.