UPDATED MAY 2026
The load capacities provided here are conservative numbers made to protect your investment in your bikes and to keep everyone on the road safe. Please check the Hitch Class Rating for your vehicle/hitch as OEM (original equipment manufacturer) will not be the same as an aftermarket hitch. Read this FAQ for more information about hitch safety.
These weight capacities do not apply when hitch adapters, extenders, swing away arms, or bike covers are used. All of these items put more leverage (stress) on the hitch/crossbar and therefore lower the weight capacities of the rack. Also, use of any of these items will void the warranty.
2″ Mach2 LV (applicable to rack purchased after 5/19/26)
Use our weight capacity calculator to find out if your bikes will work with the Mach2 2″ bike rack on your specific vehicle. This calculator is particularly helpful for RVs, fifth wheels, travel trailers, and camper vans. Know that our calculations and recommendations are conservative and err on the side of keeping bikes and travelers safe.
Weight not supported on your RV? An option is to carry your rack and bikes on a vehicle towed by the RV. We approve regular use of the rack (i.e., following our number of allowed bikes and rack weight capacity guidelines) if the vehicle is being flat-towed with all four tires on the ground. Using a dolly–where the front tires are lifted up–is not approved. The angle of the vehicle–and thus the rack–would put too many unusual forces and stress on various parts of the rack. Plus, having just two tires on the ground will not support the weight of the rack and bikes.” and “Also, be very careful with extenders, adapters, swing away arms, or bike covers. Doing so can result in the slow degradation of the rack or a sudden catastrophic failure. Using any of these will void the warranty.
1.25″ Mach2 V3 (applicable to rack purchased after 5/19/26)
Please note the 1.25″ rack is not approved for RV / trailer use, as mentioned on the product page.
In addition to the total weight capacity of the rack/add-ons, pay close attention to the amount of weight allowed for each bike/tray and do not exceed. Doing so could cause the rack to fail.
The maximum weight for each tray is reduced as the trays get further from the vehicle. That is why trays one and two can hold a certain amount, but trays three and four cannot. Think about a diving board. As you get further out on the diving board you bend the board more by increasing the force on the end of the board. You also increase the force on the diving board’s attachments to the ground even though you weigh the same. As you add more bikes to the rack with add-ons, you increase the force on the rack frame, especially the attachment point to the car.
Load heaviest bike first/closest to the vehicle. Lighter bikes get loaded last.
We highly recommend that you adhere to the weight capacity guidelines listed here, not only for the safety of your bikes but also for the safety of others who are on the road near you. Carrying more weight than is suggested will void the warranty on the product.
