Will the Kuat Sherpa Clear the Door On a Truck Bed Camper With Bikes Attached

Question:

We want a light weight but solid tray style hitch mounted bike rack and the Kuat Sherpa 2 seems like the right one. We want to be able to mount it to a front mount 2 inch hitch sometimes but also want to be able to mount it to our existing rear hitch. Lightweight helps with this flexibility. With the tilt down feature we wonder if we can squeeze the camper door open with the bikes on. We would use a step ladder and access from the side. We do not need the door to open fully but want to be able to get in for access to the refrigerator at lunch spots, for example. So, 1. Any comments on the Kuat Sherpa 2 mounted in front? We have thought about headlights visibility, bugs, rocks, rain and windshield obscuring. 2. How can we determine the space that would be available for opening the camper door? You provide fabulous information but not this, I think.

asked by: Susan K

Expert Reply:

The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 2-Bike Platform Rack part # SH22G is an excellent option for you because it is very lightweight at only 32 lbs and also very durable so the powder coat will hold up to the abuse being mounted on front of your truck with a front mount hitch like the Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver part # C31083. There will be some reduced visibility at night due to blocking the headlights but not much and it is more or less unavoidable.

In regards to clearing the rear door on your truck bed camper with the bikes attached an tilted down, this will be very difficult to determine beforehand as the part that would make contact first is your bikes and there are too many variables with different bikes to be able to accurately predict this. However, what you can do to make sure you have access to the camper with the bike rack attached is use the Yakima BackSwing Swing Away Hitch Extender part # Y02483 along with the Kuat Sherpa when you have it mounted in the rear hitch that way all you need to do is swing the bike rack and bikes away from the camper door when you need to get inside.

expert reply by: Conner L