How to Carry a Bike Rack and Flat-Tow a Vehicle

Question

Question:

I have a Winnebago Forza 36G. I flat tow a 2016 4-door Jeep Rubicon with a Blue Ox Alpha tow bar and RVI2 brake. I’m adding an aluminum cycle carrier above that tow bar, but i think I need to add some distance between the back of the RV and the front of the Jeep to prevent contact between Jeep and the carrier with its 322 lb bike. Can that drawbar be up to 15” in length if it is double-walled?

asked by: Randy

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

There is not a maximum length ball mount or hitch extension that can be used in a flat-towing setup. However, the further out you go, the less tongue weight the ball mount or extension will be able to carry which is not really an issue for a flat-towing setup but is something you need to keep in mind.

The best option we have for you to flat-tow your vehicle and carry a bike rack is with the Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter part # RM-077-2 for 2-1/4" rise/drop, part # RM-077-4 for 4" rise/drop, part # RM-077-6 for 6" rise/drop, part # RM-077-8 for 8" rise/drop, or part # RM-077-10 for 10" rise/drop. These adapters will all provide you with a 10" extension and will be the most we offer for a flat-tow dual hitch receiver adapter.

I have attached a review video for you as well.

expert reply by: Conner L

1

Answer 1

In a flat towing situation the use of an adapter like #RM-077-2 does NOT reduce the tongue weight capacity of the trailer hitch because there is very little tongue weight on it when flat towing a vehicle. So you can use this adapter to flat tow your…

view full answer...

Answer 2

If your Blue Ox tow bar is an RV mounted tow bar, then part #RM-077-2 will work if your receiver is a 2 inch by 2 inch receiver. An RV mounted tow bar will have the shank to fit into one of the 2 inch by 2 inch openings of part #RM-077-2. If your…

view full answer...

Answer 3

In order to use a hitch-mounted bike rack like the Swagman Original #S64152-2 that you were looking at while towing a vehicle, you will just need to add the Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter #RM-077-4. This adapter will slide into the 2 inch…

view full answer...

Answer 4

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

view full answer...

Answer 5

Hey Mark, so the correct Blue Ox base plate kit to use with the Blue Ox Ascent tow bar part #BX4375. is the part #BLU53FR. For lighting you can use #C96JR, and not have to worry about cutting into the taillight housing as this plugs inline with the…

view full answer...

Answer 6

As long as the flat tow wiring is wired in before the 4-Way #C93ZV and you connect the power for the converter directly to the battery it will work. I have seen several use Magnetic Lights #TL21RK which they will wire in on the main harness to have…

view full answer...

Answer 7

To me it makes the most sense to put a Bike Rack #HLY64FR on the flat towed vehicle rather than above the tow bars. Especially on heavy e-bikes as they are difficult to lift that high onto the rack, but also as it only makes sense to have the rack on…

view full answer...

Answer 8

There are some subtle difference between the Kuat Piston Pro Bike Rack for 2 Bikes #KU76ZR and the Kuat Piston Pro X Bike Rack for 2 Bikes #KU98VR. Overall the two racks are very similar, there are just some subtle differences/upgrades on the Piston…

view full answer...

Answer 9

Hey Dave, so the best option for carrying your carbon frame bike and e-bike is the Swagman Escapee part #S39SR with the ramp #S59SR . It has the capacity for carrying an e-bike, is rated for travel trailer use, only touches the bikes by the tires…

view full answer...

Answer 10

Hello Steve. I do have a good solution for you, but I cannot recommend using the Malone Adapter #MPG544. Since it is rated for towing only 4,000 lbs, your 8,000 lb towed vehicle would be double the max towing capacity. You are right about there being…

view full answer...

Answer 11

Class I and Class II hitches both have a 1-1/4 inch receiver opening. The difference is that a Class I hitch has a lower tongue weight rating, usually 200 pounds and a lower towing rating, usually 2,000 pounds. A Class II hitch usually has a tongue…

view full answer...

Answer 12

When determine if you can fully open swing-out doors on your 2022 ProMaster 3500 with the Yakima EXO #Y34ZR, it really depends on how far your doors swing when in the open position. While the 90-degree swing has not been tested spcificially on a 2022…

view full answer...

How to Carry a Bike Rack and Flat-Tow a Vehicle

Products Referenced in This Question

Product Page this Question was Asked From

Featured Help Information

Instructions

Miscellaneous Media

Continue Researching