Hitch Adapters & RV-Rated Bike and Cargo Carriers

Question:

I have a curt cargo carrier from etrailer, the larger one. Just received a 4 bike rack from etrailer. So far I guess I can only use one for my class C RV at a time. Dont someone make some type of a dual two inch hitch so I can use both? Seems the bikes could mount high or high enough to not affect the cargo carrier.

asked by: LEN

Expert Reply:

Any cargo carrier or bike rack that will be used on the rear of a RV (trailer or motorhome) needs to be rated for that application since the stress forces found at the rear of a trailer or MH are much greater than at the back of a standard passenger car. A standard bike rack made for use on a car cannot be used on the back of a Class C motorhome; you need an RV-rated rack like your Swagman Trailhead # S63381. The same applies to a hitch cargo carrier like your Curt # C18152.

Although we do offer 2-receiver adapters like # MPG544 that allow towing with a cargo carrier or bike rack using one of these will cost you half of your hitch capacity. The bottom receiver is for towing only. The loss of hitch capacity results from the greater distance between the hitch tube and the actual cargo load. The load being further away from the hitch means more leverage is applied to the tube, and this results in the loss of 50-percent of the hitch's rated capacity.

We do not have any dual hitch adapters that will allow use of both racks in the same hitch.

You might be able to install a front-mounted hitch receiver on your RV for use with the cargo carrier. Please feel free to let me know the year, make and model of your RV and I can check for availability of a front hitch.

expert reply by: Adam R