Class II or Class III for bike rack?

[zosh]

My Mountaineer has a Class II (1 1/4" hitch) I plan on getting a 4-bike hitch-mounted rack, and even if the rack was loaded down with 4 bikes, I know it won't exceed the tongue weight rating, but I feel like there would be a lot of vibration and torque to that little 1 1/4" tube (especially when bouncing around at 70mph) so I am considering getting a Class III hitch that mounts underneath the factory one. Then a Class III bike rack. I feel like that would be much more stable over a Class II model. There are also more Class III racks on the market, but I'm looking at ~$180 for a new hitch just to mount a slightly larger rack...


The result would be this:
(Factory Class II on top, aftermarket class III beneath)


Do you think that looks cheesy?

Would it be worth it to go with the bigger hitch or just get a Class II bike rack?

[lancerevolution78]

zosh

My Mountaineer has a Class II (1 1/4" hitch) I plan on getting a 4-bike hitch-mounted rack, and even if the rack was loaded down with 4 bikes, I know it won't exceed the tongue weight rating, but I feel like there would be a lot of vibration and torque to that little 1 1/4" tube (especially when bouncing around at 70mph) so I am considering getting a Class III hitch that mounts underneath the factory one. Then a Class III bike rack. I feel like that would be much more stable over a Class II model. There are also more Class III racks on the market, but I'm looking at ~$180 for a new hitch just to mount a slightly larger rack...


The result would be this:
(Factory Class II on top, aftermarket class III beneath)


Do you think that looks cheesy?

Would it be worth it to go with the bigger hitch or just get a Class II bike rack?

stay with the class 2 and dont worry. I have a wrangler with class 3, my friend has the same with a class 2, and my other friend the same with an over the tire mount. They all bounce the same amount and all fit 4 bikes other than the over tire mount holds 2. Save your money and just get the class 2 rack. And if you can afford it buy a thule, all my friends like mine the best.

[Levis Pennae]

If you're just putting a bike rack on it then a Class II would be more than adequate.