Recommended Trailer Hitch for 5th Wheel Trailer to Use with Bike Rack

Question:

What brand of 4 inch receiver hitches do you recommend for a landmark fifth wheel trailer. 2 inch receivers used by other owners are too flimsy and bounce around causing failures of the hitch and loss of bicycles. I guess I am referring to the class 4 receiver hitch like the one on my ford truck. I have been told the smaller receiver hitches are not strong enough to withstand the bouncing and jarring at the rear of a 40 foot 5th wheel trailer. I was also told the bikes have fallen from the hitch as a result. I have purchased a new Kuat NV 2.0 and want to have a receiver welded onto the frame rails of my Heartland Landmark Newport 5th wheel Thanks

asked by: Paul

Expert Reply:

For a durable hitch to install at the rear of your 5th wheel trailer, I recommend looking at the Curt Adjustable Width Trailer Hitch Receiver # 13703. This hitch is specifically designed for use on RVs and trailers and can be adjusted to fit frame widths between 22 and 72 inches. The hitch can be either bolted to the trailer frame or welded on for a no-drill application.

Once installed, this will provide you with a 2 inch receiver opening and a tongue weight capacity of 350 pounds. This will give you plenty of capacity to use with a bike rack and bikes. I have attached the written installation instructions and an installation video that you can use for reference.

Then for the bike rack itself, you will want to make sure the bike rack you use is rated for use behind a trailer. Because of the extra movement and bounce that a hitch-mounted rack will have when used behind a trailer, only certain bike racks are tested for and confirmed to work safely with this harsher ride. It's very possible that the stories you have heard regarding hitch and carrier failures had more to do with the rack itself than the trailer hitch it was installed in.

We have a nice selection of bike racks that are rated for use behind trailers, which I have linked for you below. I recommend looking at the Swagman Dispatch 2 Bike Platform Rack # S44FR. This is a strong, platform-style carrier that can hold up to 2 bikes at 45 pounds each. The shank rise will provide increased ground clearance and the sliding wheel cradles can accommodate bikes of different lengths. I have attached a video demonstration on this bike rack that you can check out.

Please note that the Kuat NV 2.0 Bike Rack has not been tested for and is not rated for use behind an RV or trailer.

expert reply by: Chris R