Dual hitch receiver for bike rack with trailer

[chaostactics]

I've been struggling to figure out how to carry my mountain bike while also trailering. I came across this and it seems like the answer to my prayers.

I can tow with the Tahoe and also have a hitch mount rack. I've been told not to mount bike(s) on the trailer bumper. I don't want to roof mount at the Tahoe is already ~78 tall. And I would like to be able to get in the rear so that eliminates a hatch mount rack.

However the two dual hitch adapters I can find that are rated at 10k say not for use while towing a trailer... What are you doing with a 10k hitch if you're not towing a trailer?

Any reason why this would be a no go?

[Diesel-Lover]

Many SUVs had an issue with weak back bumpers and frame flex so they gave every one a complimentary tow bar as standard equipment!



If you want to get into the back of your SUV a hitch mounted bike rack wont fold out of the way while the trailer is attached any way.


The pic you showed of a double hitch both are suspect design concepts. If it were my stuff I would get a front hitch installed and you can put the bike rack there if you like... BTW nothing like being able to nose your boat into the water when the vehicle is a rear wheel drive! Easy to guide, easy to view and your drive wheels stay out of the slime covered slippery slope.


Or get something like this.... 750 pounds of weight can be borne by this ... see the specs on etrailer.





https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hit...CURT/D210.html

[carybosse]

You don't have your specs for your trailer in your signature line, but a few comments.

1. Let's say you add two conventional bikes and a bike rack, pushing 100 pounds - you just reduced the payload by at least that much and your tongue weight by that much.

2. Because you just pushed the trailer ball back an additional 8-12 inches, the impact to tongue weight, torque applied to the receiver, and I suspect more weight is now transferred to the rear wheels of the Tahoe, requiring you to adjust a WDH setup.

It looks nice, and I considered one of these for other applications before, but no way would I consider in conjunction with my travel trailer and WDH setup.

[jacwjames]

I use the same thing but I carry a spare tire and pull my 5000lb jeep. This was the best receiver I could find, heavy duty. Here is a link to the roadmaster site, no mention of restrictions there. https://www.roadmasterinc.com/produc...hitch/dual.php



I found this on another site


Product Details

Universal Dual Hitch Receiver (077-2) by Roadmaster®. 10000 lbs Weight Capacity. 2" Drop. This product is made of high-quality materials to serve you for years to come. Designed using state-of-the-art technology and with customers in mind, this product by Roadmaster will last a lifetime. It will meet your needs and deliver great quality at an affordable cost.
Specifications:

• Weight Capacity: 10000 lb
• Drop: 2"

[Souljourner]

I spent weeks exploring this question and you might be able to find my thread because many options were explored. After calling both Forest River and Swagman I eventually bought an RV Approved bike rack for the rear of my TT. Both Forest River and Swagman told me if I removed my spare from the TT bumper, which I did, and replace it with the bike rack I would be fine regarding weight.

I explored all sorts of other options and this one made the most sense to me. I’m a petite woman and find it stable and easy for me to use. I transport one bike even though the rack is made for two. I felt all other options either put too much weight on the tongue or were awkward for me to manage.

I am happy with my decision and received excellent customer support from Swagman when I had questions and a minor issue. Swagman also made my bumper.

Here is the link:
Swagman Bicycle Carrier TRAVELER XC2 RV Approved Hitch Mount Bike Rack , Black https://a.co/d/1ZPuiUn

[chaostactics]

To add further clarifications. Mounting anywhere on the RV is definitely not ideal as I go mountain biking and need to be able to carry on the tow vehicle. When I'm not hooked to the RV.

[chaostactics]

Originally Posted by Souljourner

I spent weeks exploring this question and you might be able to find my thread because many options were explored. After calling both Forest River and Swagman I eventually bought an RV Approved bike rack for the rear of my TT. Both Forest River and Swagman told me if I removed my spare from the TT bumper, which I did, and replace it with the bike rack I would be fine regarding weight.

I explored all sorts of other options and this one made the most sense to me. I’m a petite woman and find it stable and easy for me to use. I transport one bike even though the rack is made for two. I felt all other options either put too much weight on the tongue or were awkward for me to manage.

I am happy with my decision and received excellent customer support from Swagman when I had questions and a minor issue. Swagman also made my bumper.

Here is the link:
Swagman Bicycle Carrier TRAVELER XC2 RV Approved Hitch Mount Bike Rack , Black https://a.co/d/1ZPuiUn

Unfortunately I can't do a front hitch. The risk of damage to a $6000 mountain bike is just too high. Even just transporting in the rain/dirt/rocks/road grime would likely destroy it.

I added my tow vehicle to my sig. The GVW is significantly under 10k.

The rack would not be a swing away kind, it's one that just tilts at a 30 deg angle or so. Enough to clear the hatch but not enough for it to hit the trailer.

A trailer mount would sort of help me with transport but I still need to transport on my vehicle to get to trail heads.

[carybosse]

Originally Posted by chaostactics

To add further clarifications. Mounting anywhere on the RV is definitely not ideal as I go mountain biking and need to be able to carry on the tow vehicle. When I'm not hooked to the RV.

I would argue that the unit that Souljourner suggested would fit your bill. When the trailer is parked, you pull it out of the receiver on the trailer and plug it into the receiver on your tow vehicle. I am not suggesting the TT bumper mount is a good or bad idea, but it does meet your criteria I believe.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YJK252...ing=UTF8&psc=1

[chaostactics]

Originally Posted by carybosse

You don't have your specs for your trailer in your signature line, but a few comments.

1. Let's say you add two conventional bikes and a bike rack, pushing 100 pounds - you just reduced the payload by at least that much and your tongue weight by that much.

2. Because you just pushed the trailer ball back an additional 8-12 inches, the impact to tongue weight, torque applied to the receiver, and I suspect more weight is now transferred to the rear wheels of the Tahoe, requiring you to adjust a WDH setup.

It looks nice, and I considered one of these for other applications before, but no way would I consider in conjunction with my travel trailer and WDH setup.

You make a good point about the tongue weight and I had that thought too. I'll have to consider that when doing an overall calculations. The payload I'm going to lose no matter where I put the bikes though? I think?

I do have a WDH. And didn't think yet how I would address that aspect.

[RealNiceTent]

Originally Posted by chaostactics

To add further clarifications. Mounting anywhere on the RV is definitely not ideal as I go mountain biking and need to be able to carry on the tow vehicle. When I'm not hooked to the RV.

It sounds like your best option is the front mount receiver to carry the bikes up front. You don't mention if you have any custom or special equipment like a winch or crash bars. A custom front mounted receiver can be used for all kinds mounting, the bike carrier, a portable winch, launching boats, backing trailers into tight spots, tow ring/hook mount, only your creativeness limits it's use. The nature of bicycles what it is they should not create enough airflow blockage to cause cooling issues.

When it comes to having the rack between the trailer and Tow vehicle, it all has to fit with any tongue jacks, propane tanks battery boxes, etc mounted on the front of the trailer at minimum turning radius. On my coach from handlebar end to the rear cap is about 4 feet on a two bike carrier with two beach cruisers on it.

[Diesel-Lover]

Now that you have added a weight distribution trailer towing set up requirement, the best option would be to have a good welding shop put a second receiver on that draw bar, with a little height between the two receivers. Without the weight distribution, the curt tow-bar with ball mount and receiver is the one, but extending the weight distribution process further away from the hitch and vehicle is fraught with physics related problems.


Judging from what you said about bike cost, it must be alloy and light perhaps a bike mount on the back wall of the trailer with guy wire supports from a roof rack on top of the trailer roof. I made a similar arrangement where one removed the wheel and slid the bike up the back wall. yes I used a pully system to help get the bike up there with ease and a support bar sideways to the ladder holding the frame for stability.

[Kid Gloves]

Originally Posted by jacwjames

I use the same thing but I carry a spare tire and pull my 5000lb jeep. This was the best receiver I could find, heavy duty. Here is a link to the roadmaster site, no mention of restrictions there. https://www.roadmasterinc.com/produc...hitch/dual.php



I found this on another site


Product Details

Universal Dual Hitch Receiver (077-2) by Roadmaster®. 10000 lbs Weight Capacity. 2" Drop. This product is made of high-quality materials to serve you for years to come. Designed using state-of-the-art technology and with customers in mind, this product by Roadmaster will last a lifetime. It will meet your needs and deliver great quality at an affordable cost.
Specifications:

• Weight Capacity: 10000 lb
• Drop: 2"

I use the same product that has a 2” drop/4” rise. I figured why should I buy a product that offers a 2” drop or a 2” drop? Yes, it says 10K lbs, it also shows a tongue weight limit of 400lbs. So, theoretically a ~4000lb trailer, or up to 10K flat towing.

None of the above is a recommended for anyone to follow.

[carybosse]

Originally Posted by chaostactics

You make a good point about the tongue weight and I had that thought too. I'll have to consider that when doing an overall calculations. The payload I'm going to lose no matter where I put the bikes though? I think?

I do have a WDH. And didn't think yet how I would address that aspect.

I would have concerns about placing it on the rear bumper of the TT, but in that location it will not impact the payload directly. It actually may be an issue that it reduces the tongue weight, creating different issues with the handling and WDH hitch.

In the bed, using a dual receiver hookup, or one of the racks that mounts above the tongue jack, yes, they all will impact the payload either directly or with increased tongue weight.

[dvspl]

I don't think a dual hitch setup is the right solution if you need a WDH and a TT with a heavy tongue weight. I'd suggest your best solution is to carry the bike inside the trailer while you're towing and put it on a hitch mounted rack on the tow vehicle when you arrive at your campsite.