Recommendation for a Bike Rack for Use When Towing a Trailer with a 1996 Jeep Cherokee
Question:
I tow a 17 foot casita trailer 2800 lbs my 96 jeep chairkee is factory rated for 5000 lbs i need a hitch to carry two bikes what would you recomend??
asked by: Dick
Expert Reply:
There are a couple of options for you to carry a bike a rack and tow a trailer at the same time. First, you can use a towing rack. I recommend the Curt Clamp-on, part # C18013. It fits around a ball mount shank.
A couple of things to note about this method are the ball mount length and the tongue weight. This bike rack requires that the ball mount have a distance of 10 inches from the center of the hitch pin hole to the center of the ball hole. If you need a ball mount that is compatible, you can use # 2736, # EA40, or # D-28.
Regarding tongue weight, the weight of the bike rack, about 13 pounds, and the weight of the bikes loaded on it will count as additional tongue weight to be added to the tongue weight of the trailer. You will need to check the tongue weight capacity of the hitch and vehicle and make sure the combined weight of the trailer tongue, bike rack, and bikes does not exceed the tongue weight capacity.
The second option is to use a Dual Hitch Receiver, # D210. With this receiver you would place a bike rack in the top part and tow the trailer with the bottom part. The tongue weight capacity of this part is 750 pounds and the same tongue weight rules apply as explained above, except that the receiver portion of the ball mount is limited to 350 pounds.
The benefit of this method is that you have more bike rack options. I would go with a very light bike rack to free up some tongue weight capacity. The Kuat Beta, # B202-2 weighs under 13 pounds so it would be a good choice.
Products Referenced in This Question
Draw-Tite Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 3/4" Rise, 2" Drop - 12" Long - 5,000 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
- Fixed Ball Mount
- No Ball
- 1 Inch Ball Hole Diameter
- Steel Shank - Gloss Black
- Drop - 2 Inch
- Rise - 1 Inch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 5000 lbs GTW
- Class III
- Long Shank
- Draw-Tite
more information >
Kuat Beta Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Tilting
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Hanging Rack
- Folding Rack
- Tilt-Away Rack
- Frame Mount
- Locks Not Included
- 2 Bikes
- Class 3
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Kuat
more information >
Curt Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 4" Rise, 6" Drop - 14-1/4" Long - 6,000 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
- Fixed Ball Mount
- No Ball
- 1 Inch Ball Hole Diameter
- Steel Shank - Gloss Black
- Drop - 6 Inch
- Rise - 4 Inch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 6000 lbs GTW
- Class III
- Long Shank
- CURT
more information >
Curt Multipurpose Ball Mount with 2" Receiver for Bike Racks and Cargo Carriers - 7,500 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
- Fixed Ball Mount
- No Ball
- 1 Inch Ball Hole Diameter
- Steel Shank - Gloss Black
- Drop - 2 Inch
- Rise - 0 Inch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 7500 lbs GTW
- Class III
- Built-In Dual Hitch
- CURT
more information >
Brophy Ball Mount - 3" Rise, 4" Drop - 14-5/8" Long - Aluminum - 8,000 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
- Fixed Ball Mount
- No Ball
- 1 Inch Ball Hole Diameter
- Aluminum Shank - Silver
- Drop - 4 Inch
- Rise - 3 Inch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 8000 lbs GTW
- Class IV
- Long Shank
- Brophy
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt Clamp-On Bike Rack for 3 Bikes - 2" Ball Mounts
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Hanging Rack
- Towing Rack
- Frame Mount
- Locks Not Included
- 3 Bikes
- Class 3
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- CURT
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Article: How to Carry Bikes While Towing a Travel Trailer
- Article: Best Bike Racks for Electric Bikes
- Q&A: Will the EcoHitch Front Hitch 306-X7904 Fit the 2023 Ford F-350 w/ a Diesel Engine?
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Article: Carrying Bikes While Towing a Pop-Up Camper Trailer
- Article: My Trailer Hitch Doesn't Fit
- Q&A: How do I use a Bike Rack and Pull a Trailer at the same time
- Q&A: Difference Between Trailer Tire Sizes ST205/75R15 and ST225/75R15
- Article: How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop
- Q&A: Will A Hellwig Sway Bar Fit A 2023 Ford F-350 With A TorkLift SuperHitch Installed
- Article: How to Install a Weight Distribution Hitch (With Pictures & Video)
- Q&A: Recommended 4-Step Ladder For Pontoon Boat With Flat Deck
- Q&A: Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Behind 2023 F-350 With Truck Bed Camper
- Q&A: Will Adding The Timbren Suspension Enhancement Provide Any Extra Benefit