Travel Trailer-E-Bike Issues

[joerone]

So, I thought I had a bike rack rated for the rear of a travel trailer from Hyperax...They even confirmed it was rated properly last July when I bought it. Just found out they have since issued a warning on their website that the rack is rated for TT's only if they are shorter than 25ft and of course mine is longer, so I'm back to square one. Someone has suggested a dual hitch to mount the E-bikes above the trailer ball/coupler. Anyone here of this? Is it safe?

i was thinking something like this:

[chims]

It may be safer than adding that extra weight to the back of your trailer. The only concern I would have with that hitch is the extra payload on your TV. My e-bikes are about 65 lbs each and then the back rack is probably another 50 lbs. If you have this much room to spare on your payload, you might be okay.

[Gooma]

I would worry about that much weight bouncing on the rear of the trailer. A front mount would be a softer ride for the bike, an since you have a 3/4 T PU you should be OK on tongue weight.

[chrlydonsrf]

Originally Posted by joerone

So, I thought I had a bike rack rated for the rear of a travel trailer from Hyperax...They even confirmed it was rated properly last July when I bought it. Just found out they have since issued a warning on their website that the rack is rated for TT's only if they are shorter than 25ft and of course mine is longer, so I'm back to square one. Someone has suggested a dual hitch to mount the E-bikes above the trailer ball/coupler. Anyone here of this? Is it safe?

i was thinking something like this:

I got that on the MH. Bike rack.on top, Trailer hitch under, never had an issue.

[MRJEB]

I found a bike rack rated for (2) 80# e-bikes on the back of a towed vehicle. Been using it for 2 years. Holding up well.

I like the bikes on the TOAD Vs MH so the bikes are always with us.

https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Bike-...o/LGA25VR.html

[Dave Pelletier]

Back of the trailer is a bad spot for many reasons; best is in the truck bed but if that's not an option, I've seen racks that attach to the tongue......I would NOT use that extension/double pce you posted.


Dave

[joerone]

Originally Posted by Dave Pelletier

Back of the trailer is a bad spot for many reasons; best is in the truck bed but if that's not an option, I've seen racks that attach to the tongue......I would NOT use that extension/double pce you posted.


Dave

Can I ask why not?

[chrlydonsrf]

There are any number of hitches rated for heavy bikes on the rear of travel trailers. That's however not the issue, it's the beating the bikes will take back there regardless what type rack.

[B-Man]

Using that dual hitch adapter will work, but it isn't a great idea for a few reasons. I know because I use that exact one with my equipment trailer.

1 - Your chains will likely be too short to reach the truck and have enough slack for sharp turns.

2 - The trailer brake / lighting cable will likely end up too short for the same reason.

3 - Moving your tongue weight farther back adds a cantilever effect to the truck hitch and frame. In effect, you've added a lever for the TT tongue to push the rear of the truck down. This is not insurmountable but you will have to adjust your WDH for the new dynamic.

I'll break from the crowd here - I'd take the TT to a welder and have the TT rear hitch strengthened for the intended load. That is exactly what I did, except I did the welding and fabrication myself.

My factory TT hitch is a 2.5" box tube welded between the frame rails, with the typical 2" receiver tube welded to that. It is rated for 250 lbs. but the carrier I was using rocked so much I found it unacceptable. I added a 2" receiver tube to the right side of the center receiver tube and added another hitch tube to my carrier. That gave me the added benefit of eliminating the rocking motion inherent in hitch mounted carriers. Of course, it added a few pounds to the TT and the rack but I'm already over 10,000 lbs. so it really doesn't affect my setup. My truck has 3,381 lbs. of payload so I've got plenty of room for adjustments.

As far as upsetting the tongue weight, adding ~300 lbs. to the rear, with the axles so biased towards the rear of the TT, didn't change anything of significance in my setup. I have a dual axle TT and run right at 1,500 lbs. of tongue weight.

YMMV.

[Sunnyfalls]

Light weight, folding electric bikes placed in truck bed or RV is the smart way to accomplish this. Avoids expense of bike carrier and exposing bikes to road grime and weather. Plus you can easily take bikes anyplace via road or air transport.

https://riderguide.com/best-rated/th...bikes-of-2024/

Gayle & Bob
"Los Gatos Casita"

[Cumminsfan]

The problem with bikes on the back is the flopping around whether slightly or bigly. The solution is to add additional securement so the bikes don't flop around. Most bike racks don't secure the bikes in all directions. They can flop back N forth or side to side. Adding additional securement to alleviate those motions is usually needed.

It could be as simple as some ratchet straps running form the bikes to some eye bolts on the bumper on a diagonal. That will usually keep all four motions in check.

I've always hauled my bikes on a DIY rack that's as solid as the frame. I can stand on it and jump up and down and it barely moves.

The other concern is weight taken off the front of the trailer. That can be offset by moving the spare to under the front of the trailer. Or if the fresh tank is in front of the axles then adding 20 gals of water will offset the bikes on the rear.
You also don't subtract all the bikes weight since the axles are not centered under the trailer like a teeter totter. It will be a percentage of the distance from the coupler to the center of the axles.

If you have extra tongue weight you should be fine. But if you're on the boarder then you could cause some sway.

Option #2 is on the tongue. Problem is lifting heavy Ebikes up there is a no go for many.

Option #3 is in front of the truck. Problem is they will get dirty and or wet if it's raining. Not good for the electronic. Worse yet is off and on wet roads and the bikes are filthy when you get where you're going. Covering them on the front is a no go as well.
Same could be said for putting them on the trailer tongue but maybe not a bad. Bugs will be another issue.

Mine are covered on the rear and even in the rain they stay mostly dry and cleaner.

[CharlesinGA]

Weight on the back of the trailer makes for sway, bad plan. The double receiver adapter is only good if it is strong enough and your tow vehicle suspension is capable enough and you have enough space between the tailgate and the tongue jack (probably not) You can install a front receiver and install the bike rack in the front. Most likely won't affect air flow to the radiator enough to matter.

Charles

[Dave Pelletier]

Originally Posted by joerone

Can I ask why not?

Certainly though I'm not sure if you're asking about putting the bikes on the back or the double hitch extension.

As far as bikes on the back;

- negative affect on trailer tongue weight (adequate TW is imperative for stable trailer towing)

- pronounced "bounce" that far aft of the axles can damage or even break free the bumper, hitch, carrier or bikes. Damage to the back of the trailer is common.

- bikes get very dirty

- can cover taillights and or licence plate

- increases overall length and fragile/expensive bikes are the first thing to hit something backing up.

- out of site means easier picking for thieves and hard to keep an eye on them while driveing without a reverse camera.

....those are the top ones anyhow.


As far as that double extension tube goes;

- doubt it is rated for the TW load

- extending the hitch using one has a negative effect on handling (longer lever for the trailer to apply sideways force to the truck's rear axle - tail wagging the dog/sway)

- more joints mean more slop and hitch slop is bad.

Hope this helps/clarifies my previous post.

Cheers,
Dave

[VanDiemen23]

The rating of your rack has nothing to do with the length of the trailer. If I had to guess, the rack manufacturer is worried that you'll drag the back of the trailer because the overhang is longer, because have lousy departure angles.

I've seen bikes on the back of a long gas Class A (where the problem of rear overhang is absolutely the worst) snag the pavement going through a dip and nearly get ripped off the rack.

Raising the hitch to keep the tires above the departure angle line is what you want to do.