Are receiver bike rack or platform legal on the front?

[83Eagle]

Not sure if I am asking this in the correct place. If I am not someone please point me in the right direction. I am still getting my bearings around this awesome forum.

MY wife and I have been looking into a way to haul the bikes to the campgrounds without having to bring the minivan or the AMC. I have a hitch mount platform that I use to haul the bikes and bike trailer for the kiddo. Our motorhome has a heavy duty hitch on the back, but it is not a receiver hitch.

There is a receiver hitch under the front bumper. My wife's Grandpa said that is for putting your boat in the water. I have heard that before; just never seen it done.

I am curious if it is legal to mount a receiver hitch bike rack on that front receiver hitch.

Kind of like how this truck has one mounted.

I asked at the DMV here in Nebraska and came up with nothing (aka the lady at the wondow did not know). I am not sure where to go to find this out. Anyone here know?

Putting a hitch bike rack on the front would be a lot easier than having the hitch guy convert the back hitch into a receiver.

Curious what you all think.

[bullheaded]

Maybe something like this...Mad Dog Three-Way ATV Receiver Hitch | ATV Accessories | Northern Tool + Equipment

[tvman44]

I hope it is legal as I do it all the time.

[Jack R]

83 eagle

call your local highway patrol office and ask them your question.

jack

[83Eagle]

OK I will try and call the Highway Patrol on my lunch break sometime this week. In class in a neighboring town 8-5 Monday thru Friday this week.

Did not think about calling the Highway Patrol.

Never seen a front mount bike rack around here except on the city buses.

[Half Dimes]

We see bikes mounted on the front of a pickup frequently in this area. I would love to carry our long wheel base recumbent bikes that way but they would likely partially block the headlights. Keep in mind, the bikes will be great bug collectors in that location.

[83Eagle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Half Dimes We see bikes mounted on the front of a pickup frequently in this area. I would love to carry our long wheel base recumbent bikes that way but they would likely partially block the headlights. Keep in mind, the bikes will be great bug collectors in that location.

Good point on the bugs. If we do it I'll have to get covers for the bikes.

Emailed the Nebraska State Patrol information and question address a few minutes ago. We'll see what they say.

I'd better install it and the bikes and see if the headlights get blocked. That would not be good.

[mudpuppy]

When I pulled a travel trailer with my 15 passenger van I mounted a front receiver on it and used a hitch platform to carry my generator on the front of the van all across the country. No problems or tickets.

[kirkcrawford]

I suspect most officers would be fine with it as long as it does not obstruct your forward vision, headlights, or turn signals.

[83Eagle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirkcrawford I suspect most officers would be fine with it as long as it does not obstruct your forward vision, headlights, or turn signals.

That was my thought, but I wanted to be sure. A trooper with the State Patrol emailed me a response today. Here's what she said...

"That should be fine to mount the bikes in front of the RV as long as it does not obstruct the license plate, head lights, or turn signals. Also, the vehicle’s length, including the bikes in the front (or rear) and be no longer than 40 ft. I hope this helps answer your question."

Sounds like I need to mount the bike rack and bikes and see if it blocks the lights, turn signals or the plate.

[wa8yxm]

I used to use a front mounted bicycle carrier on a van I once had... That pick up.. I see a potential issue with "Obstructed vision" should it become involved in an accident, However ... Well, I've met a cop with an issue,, (And I'm the issue he has, I should point out he has run out of warnings but that is another matter.. The last warning, I very strongly suspect (I did not stick around long enough to find out but if I read her tone right) was delivered by the judge,, nice judge by the way, She keeps looking at me and saying "Dismissed" every time this idiot brings me before her, and yes, I mean EVERY TIME)

But front mounts are very common. So long as it does not block your vision you should be ok.

[Jack R]

83 eagle

Just another thought. If the bikes block the view of the plate. Remove the plate and hook it to the bike out front where it can be seen

jack

[83Eagle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack R 83 eagle Just another thought. If the bikes block the view of the plate. Remove the plate and hook it to the bike out front where it can be seen jack

Yeah I have not had a chance to look at it yet, but I was thinking if it does block the license plate I will just get a plate holder and bolt it to the platform and some wing nut set up to quickly move the plate if needed.

[Eric_H_E]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 83Eagle Good point on the bugs. If we do it I'll have to get covers for the bikes. .

if you do cover your bikes be careful of air flow. May make the engin run hot