RV Hitch and Hitch Bike Rack for 2000 Alpenlite 32RK Limited 5th Wheel Trailer  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

One of the frame-mounted 2-inch RV hitches we offer will be your best bet on your 2000 Alpenlite 32RK Limited 5th wheel trailer for using a hitch bike rack. All such hitches are shown on the linked page.

These hitches are designed to fit a range of trailer frame sizes and you can measure your 32RK frame width to determine the best fit. Some of these hitches offer the option of either bolt-on OR weld-on installation, but others will require one or the other method, like the Ultra-Fab # UF35-946403 which must be welded in place. It would not be a bad idea to get your VIN and contact the manufacturer for guidance about the hitch installation since they will have details on the trailer's frame construction and its own weight-carrying capacity.

Curt hitch # C13701 has 2-inches of drop in its receiver tube which can sometimes be helpful in allowing the hitch to clear trim/fascia components while # 13703 does not. Also hitch # C13701 has a higher weight capacity. Naturally it will be beneficial to install the highest-rated hitch so that you have a good safety margin in your bike carrying set up.

Also note that on the back of a trailer or other RV you must use a bike carrier specifically rated for that application. Standard bike racks for cars cannot be used on a 5th wheel so if you need a suitably-rated hitch bike carrier you can use the linked page to see the available hitch-mount racks.

For a frame-mount bike rack the 3-bike Swagman Original # S64152-2 is a really good value. I have owned one of these for several years and while not fancy it has nice sturdy construction. For a 2-bike platform rack the Swagman Dispatch # S44FR, which includes both rack and bikes locks, is hard to beat.

The linked article on RV bike racks may be of interest to you.

expert reply by: Adam R

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