4-Bike Rack for Use on Rear of Travel Trailer

Question:

I have a tow behind travel trailer that has an 1 1/4 receiver mounted on it it where a bike rack was as some point. I have the old rack but it is missing some pieces. The back of the travel trailer has a rear mounted spare offset towards the drivers side. I am looking to carry 4 bikes affordably. What would you recommend. If there is something you think would work better but carries less bikes please let me know as well. Thanks in advance.

asked by: Sam K

Expert Reply:

It is fairly unusual for a travel trailer to have a 1-1/4-inch hitch installed; these days most trailers and RVs have a 2-inch hitch that offers more strength and a higher weight-carrying capacity. We offer 2-inch hitches made to install on RVs and trailers, both bumper-mount and frame-mount types, that are shown on the linked page.

The highest weight capacity comes from a frame-mount type hitch like Curt's # 13703. This one can be bolted on or welded on to a trailer frame from 22- to 72-inches width and it provides a 2-inch receiver opening to allow use of a 2-inch RV-rated bike carrier.

Bike racks that are to be used on the back of a trailer have to be specially designed to withstand the extra swaying forces that occur there due to the greater distance from the rear axle to the hitch.
We do offer a range of RV-rated bike carriers, and in several types including hitch-mounts like the Thule Range 4-bike carrier # TH9057, bumper-mounts like # S80501 and ladder mount varieties such as # LA-102.
There is even the Bike Bunk # CC-275 that mounts to the tongue of an A-frame trailer; this has its own 2-inch receiver that can accept a 2-inch RV hitch rack like the Thule Range, but the # CC-275 has only a 100 pound weight capacity so you would still not be able to carry 4 bikes on it even if your carrier was designed for 4.

All RV-rated bike carriers are shown on the other linked page. I also included a helpful article concerning RV bike carrier options that will help guide your selection. Some bike types can be better suited to a certain type of rack; for example, a woman's bike that has no top frame tube will be easier to carry on a wheel-mount rack like the BikeWing.

Please feel free to send along some photos of the trailer/hitch and some general information on the bikes to be carried and I will be glad to work with you to find you the best solution.