2-Inch Hitch-Mount Bike Rack for Use on 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-Based RV with Rear Spare Tire

Question:

Hi, I have read the answer to this question and am wondering if there is an update to the answer. I only need to carry two bikes but am willing to purchase a 4 bike carrier if that will get me the clearance I need from the continental spare tire. Also, does anyone offer a way to cinch up tight a 6inch or 7inch receiver extender to keep swaying/bouncing to a minimum. Ive been eyeing the Thule 9031XT wondering if this swing-away design would allow me access to the rear passenger side door without first unloading bikes. Thanks for any advice you can offer. Best.

asked by: Ron O

Helpful Expert Reply:

RVs require use of a specialized bike carrier that can handle the stresses found at the back of such vehicles. The linked page shows a wide range of RV-rated bike carriers that include hitch-mount, ladder-mount and bumper-mount types. If you prefer a hitch-mount rack you can refer to the linked article for guidance as to how to measure for the clearance you need to clear your spare and then use the linked page to see our RV-rated bike racks.

A 2-bike hitch-mount RV rack you might consider based on your measurement is the Curt # C18085 which offers 12.5-inches of clearance from the hitch pin hole. If you like, you can let me know your clearance measurement after you review the article. With this rack you can use hitch lock # e98879 to secure the rack and cable lock # e98891 to secure your bikes to the rack.

Sometimes it is easier to use a larger hitch bike rack than what you actually need to gain some extra room for the bikes, or in your case better clearance at the rear of the vehicle. However, you do still need to select an RV-rated bike carrier. A standard hitch-mount rack is not RV-rated and is not suitable for use on your Sprinter.

Hitch extenders like etrailer # e88YR are not good for your application because they cut your hitch capacity in half and also introduce more motion. We offer hitch immobilizers like # BX88224 from Blue Ox or # RM-061 from Roadmaster but these are not appropriate for your Sprinter application. You are much better off choosing a rack that fits directly without use of any adapters.