Recommended Hitch for Carrying Bike Rack on Rear of Keystone Outback 210RS Travel Trailer

Question:

Is 13703 the right part for this RV or is there better solution? In my case, the RV has a I beam with a box frame welding on the internal part of the I beam which hold the bumper on. Can I reverse the frame brackets to point outward? If I do this, will it hurt the capacity of this hitch. Looking to haul kids bikes. Thanks for your time and opinion.

asked by: Bill

Expert Reply:

If the outside to outside dimension of the frame members of your RV is between 22-72 inches, the Curt # 13703 would work for your RV. The brackets would need to remain in the orientation shown in the product description photos.

Because of the nature of your frame, I'd recommend a hitch that attaches to the underside of the frame member, part # UF35-946403 from Ultra-Fab. This hitch is a fit for frame members that measure between 47-77 inches apart, outside to outside. The Curt # 13703 warranty requirements stipulate that a stabilizing strap like part # 18050 must be used for all non-trailer loads like bike racks. Since the average RV lacks a good spot to mount the strap, I'd recommend the Hidden Hitch model which doesn't require the strap.

If your RV is a towed trailer, be sure to use a bike rack that's designed for use on the rear of a towed vehicle. A bike rack on the rear of an RV is subjected to much more bumping and jarring than a rack that's installed on a passenger vehicle would experience. Over time, this can literally shake a rack to pieces. If you click the provided link, you can see our selection of bike racks that have been specifically designed for use on the rear of a RV.

expert reply by: Mike L