Recommended RV Hitch and RV Hitch Bike Racks

Question:

I am looking for a receiver for my RV trailor to mount my bike carrier with a slide on the back of my RV. Can you help with that?

asked by: Tom B

Expert Reply:

We offer hitch receivers for use on RVs that you can see on the linked page. Both bumper-mount and frame-mount type hitches are made and it will be a good idea to check with your trailer's manufacturer to confirm which type is best for your particular RV. Examples of both types are parts # C19101 which fits 4 x 2-inch bumpers (as long as they are NOT a C-channel type) and # UF35-946403 which fits trailer frames between 47-1/8- and 77-inches wide (measured outside edge to outside edge).

Once you have selected your hitch you will want to choose an RV-type bike rack that is rated for use on a trailer. Regular bike racks made for cars cannot be used on a trailer due to the stresses found at the rear of such vehicles. The longer distance from the rear axle to the hitch means greater vertical and horizontal motion as you drive, and this motion could destroy a standard bike rack made for a passenger car.

We do offer lots of RV-approved bike racks that you can see on the linked page. I included two helpful article to guide your choice of rack based on the nature of the trailer and of your particular bikes. One of my favorite RV racks is the lightweight Swagman XC # S64650. Apart from light weight construction it also provides 4-inches of rise in the shank for better ground clearance and a 10-1/2 inches of clearance from the hitch pin hole. It offers a total 70-lb weight rating. With it you might consider using hitch lock and bike cable lock # S64031.

If you need more bike capacity then the Swagman Original 3 or 4, parts # S64152-2 and # S64400 are good options. I own the Original 3 and it is a solid, sturdy (and fairly heavy) steel rack that is built to last.

Please feel free to share photos of your trailer or advise the year/make/model so I can review it and help you determine your best options. In the meantime the linked articles on RV bike racks may be of interest.