Recommended Bike Rack for Tandem Bike on 2016 Ram 2500

Question

Question:

I have a multi-part question Im hoping you can help with. I have an adapted tandem bike for my special needs son and need a rack to transport it when towing our camper. Please see the below link for pics and specs on the bike. His is the Buddy Bike Sport. Ive researched all of the trailer bumper and A-frame options I could find and none of them appear feasible because of the size and weight of the bike Id also like to be able to put my daughters bike and potentially mine or my wifes on the rack if possible. So, Ive come to the conclusion that my only option left is probably to put a front hitch on the truck and get the rack the bike manufacturer has tested. They recommend the Hollywood Sport Rider. The ONLY bike rack TESTED and APPROVED for the Buddy Bike is the Sport Rider Hitch Rack by Hollywood Racks! Bike Rack-Sport Rider by Hollywood Racks HLY84FR. Id like to get the Sport Rider 4 to have the option to put more bikes on it when not towing but would likely only use it in the 2-bike configuration on the front of the truck because of how far it would stick out in front. Ive been reading the questions, feedback and reviews on your site about the Curt and Draw-Tite hitches and am wondering if one would be better for this use. I like the fact that the draw-tite has a 500lb verticle load capacity but Im not sure if there might be a downfall to the bikes sitting up so high? I dont think Ill probably ever use the hitch for my camper so Im not really too concerned with the line pull rating. The Curt however seems to sit very low to the ground and although the bikes and rack shouldnt be too much for the 350lb vertical load capacity Id feel better if it were stronger Buddy Bike costs $$$. Also, do you think Id have any significant issues with the bikes blocking the trucks headlights? Im mainly concerned with the Buddy Bike because of its size. If so, are there any options? Thanks for any help you can provide!

asked by: Mike O

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Expert Reply:

Thank you for the information. I see that your Buddy Bike Sport is 43 lbs and has a wheel base of 58.1 inches.

For your 2016 Ram 2500, I recommend the Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2" # 65063 which has a 500 lb vertical load capacity. The Curt # C31015 is only a fit for 4WD models and has the 500 lb vertical load. The Draw-Tite option does not require fascia trimming and will also give you better ground clearance.

This will allow you to use the Hollywood Racks Trail Rider 2-Bike Rack - 1-1/4", 2" Hitch - Platform Style - Frame Mount # HR200Z. You will want the Anti-Rattle Hitch Lock and Cable Lock for Hollywood Racks # HRLHPTC to secure your investment. You will want to consider the headlight location and the line of vision restrictions when using a front mounted rack. With only one or possibly two bikes, you most likely won't have to worry about the restricted air flow to your radiator.

Another option is to use the Thule Tandem Bike Carrier - Fork Mount # TH558P which can fit on a roof rack. This would require you to install a roof rack like the Rhino Rack # RRVA150B-2, # RRRLKVA and # DK043.

For your other 3 bikes, I recommend the Saris MHS Modular 3 Bike Platform Rack, # SAR35MR. It comes with a bike lock as well as a hitch lock to protect your investment.

Let me know if you have further questions.

expert reply by: Jason S

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Answer 1

I would be happy to help you. The etrailer Hitch item #e98839 is confirmed to fit your 2015 Subaru Forester. It is custom fit and bolts to your Subaru with included hardware. It has a 2" receiver with a 525 lbs tongue weight capacity. I…

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Answer 2

We recently had a the Saris representative on-site and one of my questions was about carrying bikes with fenders on a hitch bike rack with carbon framed bikes. He relayed his own experience with the same problem. He said the Saris MHS Modular Bike…

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Answer 3

Between the Saris MHS Bike Rack for 2 Bikes #SAR73MR and the Hollywood Racks RV Rider Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes #HLY64FR I recommend going with the Hollywood Racks #HLY64FR. Reason being is; Not only does this bike rack have a higher capacity…

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Answer 4

Thanks for reaching out! The closest hitch design we have to something that sits in the bumper on your 2020 Subaru Forester is the Hidden Hitch by Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch Receiver #DT24YR. The crossbeam is installed behind the bumper and then there…

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Answer 5

If you are planning on using the Square Bars #TH712200 on both your 2006 and 2017 Subaru Outback you will need a new foot kit. There are different types of Outbacks offered in 2017, Touring and non touring. If you have the 'touring'…

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Answer 6

In order to use Thule Square Crossbars on a Subaru Outback you'll need the part #TH712200, part #TH460R, and part #THKIT4063. This system contains the new crossbars which have an integrated mounting channel. The old crossbars without the…

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Answer 7

The Thule Criterium 598 will fit the t-channel of your Thule WingBar Evo with the addition of the Thule Xadapt8 AeroBlade and Xsporter Load Bar Adapter for Criterium Bike Rack, part #XADAPT8. I have included a product description link and a video…

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Answer 8

In order to mount the Thule Criterium Roof Mount Bike Rack part 898 on the Thule AeroBlade Crossbars in the channels you will only need to obtain the Thule Xadapt8 AeroBlade and Xsporter Load Bar Adapter for Criterium Bike Rack part #Xadapt8. The…

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Answer 9

We do have the Replacement Mounting Brackets for Thule Tandem Roof Mounted Bike Rack #7521732001 that you referenced which is a fit for the Thule Tandem bike rack part #TH558P you mentioned. We can deliver it and the price is available below.

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Answer 10

Unfortunately, the Thule Tandem Roof Mounted Bike Rack - Pivoting Design - Fork Mount - for Tandem/Recumbent Bikes, part #TH558P, does require square crossbars or round crossbars. It will not fit aero style crossbars or the factory roof rack…

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Answer 11

If a bike has fenders, you'll want to go with a frame mount style rack. The Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE Bike Rack part #HLY84FR is an excellent option for this and what I recommend using. It can carry bikes up to 50 lbs and it only weighs 37…

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Answer 12

As long as the fender is tightly installed on the bike and the hook is attached to the fender as close as possible to the top tube of the bike, the #BA22B should carry the town bike you mentioned with no problem whatsoever. I spoke with one of my…

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