Towing a Pop-Up Camper and Carrying Bikes at the Same Time on a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan

Question:

I have a 2015 Dodge grand caravan. The max tongue weight per the manual is 345lbs. The hitch i had installed says max of 400 tongue. I also have a dual hitch receiver and am pulling a pop up trailer with a dry hitch weight of 245lbs. Id like to use the dual receiver to add a bike rack and carry 3 bicycles. Am I able to do this or am I going to break something?

asked by: Chris

Expert Reply:

First, you would be limited to the 345 pounds tongue weight as specified in the manual for your 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan. Also, the use of a dual receiver will reduce the tongue weight capacity of the hitch by 50 percent from 345 pounds to 172.5 pounds. The combined tongue weight of the trailer and loaded bike rack could then not exceed 172.5 pounds. Since the dry tongue weight of the trailer is 245 pounds you would be over capacity.

But what will work is a multipurpose ball mount # D210. The reason this ball mount will work is because it is a ball mount and not an adapter so the tongue weight capacity of the hitch is not reduced.

The overall tongue weight capacity of D210 is 750 pounds, the receiver portion is rated for 350 pounds. The only thing that you need to be aware of is reduced turning radius due to the bikes. Be sure to put the longest bike closest to the vehicle and the shortest bike closest to the trailer to maximize the turning radius.

The most popular 3-bike hitch rack is Swagman's Trailhead 3 Bike Rack Item # S63365.

expert reply by: Michael H