Recommended Options For Carrying 2 Bikes Between Ford F-150 And Travel Trailer

Question:

Hi - I am looking for the best option for carrying 2 bikes between a F-150 and T@B RV trailer. Will the Swagman XCS and AM3405 ball mount I occasionally pull a trailer with a 1 7/8 inch also work together? Will I need a hitch extender for the Swagman? The T@B has a dry wt. of of 1670# and tongue wt. of 155# plus propane tank and battery. I measure hitch height on the F-150 at 20.5inch and we want the tongue height when towing to be about 16. Thanks for your help!

asked by: Kris A

Expert Reply:

With the height you said you want for your tongue it may be difficult to find a ball mount that gives you the right height and still be able to support a bike rack like the Swagman XCS, part # S64664.

One of the options Is to use a fixed ball mount with an extended shank to allow room for the bike carrier. You can check out the attached link to our product page for the ball mounts we have available. For example, if you need a ball mount with either a 4 inch rise or 6 inch drop I recommend part # D-28. This works with a hitch ball that has a 1-inch shank so for the 1-7/8 inch coupler you have on your trailer I recommend part # C40051.

If you have an A-frame trailer tongue you may want to take a look at part # CC-275. This attaches to the trailer frame and gives you a 2-inch receiver opening for a bike rack to be attached to. This fits A-frames from 14 inches to 55 inches wide.

One of the bike racks that would work with the # CC-275 is the Thule Roadway, part # TH9058.

If you are planning on carrying bikes with alternative frames like kids bikes or women's bikes I recommend using an adapter bar like part # 64005. This attaches between the seat post and the handlebar stem and allows the bike to be carried more level in the carrier while providing additional ground clearance. I have attached a product review video for this adapter bar.