Recommended Bike Rack for Use in Hitch on 5th Wheel Trailer

Question:

Looking for bike rack for fifth wheel... I have a 35foot fifth wheel with factory installed receiver hitch. A Curt 45792 dual hitch extender is installed. Lower receiver is used for cargo carrier. We are full-time RVers... Can you recommend a carrier that has enough rise to still keep the cargo carrier somewhat functional? Lifting bikes is physically not a problem. Platform or hanging? Is there less strain on hitch/bikes by using a platform rack? All options considered. Thanks!

asked by: Rick A

Expert Reply:

We do offer bike racks that are rated to handle the extra stresses found at the rear of a 5th wheel or travel trailer. Such bike racks are made to withstand the powerful lateral and vertical forces found at the back of trailers, forces that would destroy a standard automobile-type rack.

The linked page displays all RV-rated bike racks. These include 2-inch hitch-mount hanging style racks like the Swagman Original 3 Bike Rack # S64152-2 and the Reese Eclipse 4-bike rack # 63124. There are also ladder-mount racks like the Swagman # S80630 and bumper-mount racks like # S80600. The maker of your trailer may be able to offer guidance as to which type of rack will be best for your specific trailer; you might contact them with your trailer VIN to see if they recommend one type over the other. It is certainly possible that one type will be better based on your particular trailer's construction.

Now, as for that Curt hitch extension # D-192 (45792), the problem with adapters like this is that they cost you half of your hitch's capacity. If the sticker on your hitch says it is rated for 350-lbs of tongue weight (TW) then with the adapter installed that capacity drops to 175-lbs. The top receiver on this item is intended for a cargo carrier or bike rack, but the bottom one is meant for towing a trailer or using a tow bar to tow a vehicle. The two receivers' combined TW rating is 350-lbs. This means that the weight of the bike rack, bikes, cargo carrier and loaded cargo all together must remain within that 350-lb rating. If used in an adapter like this a hanging style bike rack will be better since these tend to weigh a good bit less than hitch-mount platform types.

Under no circumstances do you want to exceed either the adapter's 350-lb capacity or the hitch's reduced TW capacity.

It may well be that you will be better offer using a different type of bike carrier, say a ladder-mount, to allow the hitch cargo carrier to be used directly in the hitch (without the Curt adapter). This way you will not lose any of your hitch capacity.