4 Bike Rack Availability for Hitch of Travel Trailer

Question:

Reading the responses to mounting 4-bike racks to the back of a travel trailer is a little ambiguous. Since I have an separate etrailer hitch bar bolted to my travel trailer frame, that part of the assembly wont be an issue. Where will the potential failure be that manufacturers claim will occur if mounted on a travel trailer longer moment arm since you recommend a 4-bike hanging post mount option which is essentially the same weight w/ shorter moment arm BUT a lot more bike movement.? Is there no 4-bike platform mount available for this application? In addition, it seems like a 2 or 3 bike rack is ok with travel trailer mounting. So an additional 30-40 lbs and 6-12inch of moment arm 3-bike mount is really going to make the difference between the rack failing or not?

asked by: Tim O

Expert Reply:

We have 4 bike hanging racks that are approved for RV use like the Yakima LongHaul # Y02476 but due to the length and weight of the platform bike rack we don't have any 4 bike platform bike racks that would work.

There is quite a bit more movement at the rear of an RV over a passenger vehicle. That is why there are no platform 4 bike racks for RVs. The length and weight is just a bad combination for that rougher ride quality.

The LongHaul weighs right at 32 lbs and most 4 bike platform bike racks are at least 65 lbs.

expert reply by: Jameson C