i need a 1 1/4 reciver for my wifes 04 3. what is everybody using, how easy is the install, any recomindations for online supplier or specific brand to stay away from. the hitch will be used only to haul a bike rack so i dont need any wiring info. thanks for the help

 

I'd recommend that you go the roof-rack route. By the time you put a receiver in and buy the rear bike rack, you could have had a nice roof-rack.

I've hauled up to 4 mountain bikes or 4 kayaks on the roof of my little 3i sedan with my Thule rack. It's much more versatile and you stand less risk of damaging your vehicle that with a rear mounted rack.

(This pic was before the body kit/suspension drop etc...) The rack is easily removable and so long as you clean the area under the feet before you install it, there has been zero damage to the paint on my roof. Then you don't have that ugly receiver hanging out from under your rear fascia.

[IMG]local://upfiles/2513/84EA42B66FDC4A04BC1F61F0930EB5D1.jpg[/IMG]

 

roof rack a no go they are noisy and suck gass on a little car like this. plus you get bugs all over your bike. my wife drives this car 100 miles round trip to work and back every day and even a mile or two off of the millage with an empty rack would add up after a couple of weeks. plus i am going to build my own reciver rack to haul around the tandem. the biggest reason i wont put a roof rack on her car is i am affraid she will drive it into the garage, again, last time it did about 3500 in damage to the car

 

I only put the rack on when I need it. I have it down to around 10 minutes to get the rack on.

Good luck finding a receiver hitch for the 3 if that's what you are looking for....

(It may be tough to find them as Mazda doesn't recommend towing with either the 3 or the 6, so manufacturers may not have developed a receiver for this car.)

 

Thats true, no tow with Mazda cars. i would go the roof rack route like you say sstlaure, that would be the simplest thing to do, and just take it off whe not in use, that way the only noticeable mileage difference is when you have something up there, same thing with a receiver hitch, that would get you less mileage if it is loaded up. Also, since Mazda does not recommend towing/hauling with the car, you might want to check your warranty about using a hitch, to see if it might void something.

 

I prefer roof racks to trunk/receiver mounted racks as the stuff attached to a roof rack is attached much more securely (I also have a couple of receiver/trunk mounted racks....I don't use them anymore unless I have to.)

I also don't like how you have to have your trunk completely packed before you load up your bikes, then once the bikes are loaded, you can't get into your trunk....No issues like that with the roof rack.

 

i spent 5 years working in bike shops dealing with all kinds of racks on a daily basis. roof racks tend to scratch the roof of the car where the feet are and were the faring hits and vibrates during travel. taking the rack on and off only makes it worse. with a reciver nothing toches your car so it cant scratch or dent anything. there are a couple of reputable people selling hitches for the 3 and i dont forsee anything bad happining as a result from the hitch, plus the warranty on the car has about 2000 miles left. reciver racks fold for a reason so you can get into youre trunk, plus the trunk on the sedan opens almost straight up so you probbably wont need to fold the rack down anyway. as for the stablity of the rack that all depends on the style the one i am building will mont bikes in a front wheel off manor just like most roof rack setups.