Recommended Hitch Adapter With Dual Receivers To Carry Bike Rack And Cargo Carrier

Question:

Im looking for a hitch mount bike rack that I can also use a hitch cargo carrier with. I have a suburban and dont want to put the bikes on the roof but I need to be able to carry a Chariot bike trailer and a cooler on the cargo carrier. Do any of the bike racks that hold the frame such as Thule/TH934XTR capable of holding the bike on the bottom tube rather the top tube? My thinking is that if I used a dual hitch extension MaxxTow/MT70070, I may be able to have the bikes suspended high enough over the cargo carrier if the vertical tube was tall enough on the bike rack and if I could mount the bike on the bottom tube rather than top. Any ideas or thoughts?

asked by: Luke

Expert Reply:

When an adapter like part # MPG544 is used in your trailer hitch it does reduce the trailer hitch weight capacity by 50 percent. With that being said, the # MPG544 can be used for a bike rack and a cargo basket as you mentioned.

The Thule Hitching Post Pro, part # TH934XTR, will work in the upper or lower receiver of the adapter. This is a 4-bike carrier with anti-sway cradles and a tilting feature that will tilt when empty to give you access to the rear cargo area of your vehicle.

You can use a cargo carrier in the bottom receiver opening with the # TH934XTR in the top receiver. You will need to be aware of the clearance you need when using a bike carrier in the top receiver and a cargo carrier in the bottom receiver. I recommend using a cargo carrier that has as much distance from the hitch pin hole to the carrier as possible.

One carrier you may want to check out is the Curt Cargo Carrier, part # C18151. This is a 20 x 60 inch carrier and the distance form the center of the hitch pin hole to the closest part of the carrier when folded down is 16-1/4 inches.