Options to Allow Use of Hitch-Mount Tandem Bike Rack on 2014 Silverado 2500 with In-Bed Truck Camper

Question:

I have a 2014 Chevy 2500 HD, double cab, 6.5 ft. bed. In it sits a Northstar Laredo. The truck is equipped with a 2.5inch receiver and 2inch sleeve. The camper bumper extends 27inch beyond the face of the receiver 30inch from the center of the hole for the receiver pin. When I flip down the step on the bumper to access the camper, it extends another 8, though is high enough to clear any extension that may stick out. My goal at this time is to mount a tandem bicycle carrier. It has a 2inch . Bike weighs 45 lbs. and carrier 25ibs. May possibly want to pull a small trailer with two kayaks in the future. My thoughts is your Curt extension #45048, but value your expertise and advice! What would be your recommendations? I only know how to send a picture from my phone, so if that would help, let me know the email to send it to! Thanks for a great site!!

asked by: Kevin O

Helpful Expert Reply:

Thank you for providing all the pertinent details about your truck/camper set-up.

A long hitch reducer/extender such as Curt # C45048 and Reese # RP45292 will give you the reach you need to clear the rear of your truck bed camper and also reduce your receiver opening size from a 2-1/2-inch to the 2-inch size you need for your tandem bike rack.

When used at their maximum 34-inch length both the Curt and Reese extenders will have lower weight capacity, 450-lbs, than if cut down to a shorter length. This length extension will clear your camper bumper but not the step.

No matter which reducer/extender you choose we recommend that you support the bike rack load with support straps such as # EM34416. These will help take off some of the weight burden but also help to prevent or at least reduce the random motion of the bike rack/hitch extension as you drive.

Another option is to install a front-mount hitch on the truck to use for the bike rack. Curt offers 2-inch front-mount hitch # C31023 that is a no-drill installation as shown in the linked video. This front hitch is rated for 500-lbs of vertical load so a bike and rack combination that weigh 70-lbs would be an easy load for this hitch.

One thing to note is that when installed this hitch's pin hole will be 4-3/4-inches from the front edge of the bumper. This means that your hitch-mounted bike rack will need to provide at least 6-inches of clearance from its hitch pin hole to the nearest part of the rack in order for the rack to avoid contact with the front of the vehicle. Depending on the exact design of the rack and bike parts of the bike too could contact the front of the vehicle. You can check this by loading the bike on the rack and measuring from the rack's hitch pin hole to the nearest part of the loaded bike.