Solution to Carry Two E-Bikes Between Motorhome and Flat Tow Vehicle

Question:

Have a 45foot Class A with a 2inch 15,000# rated hitch. Wanting to use a Roadmaster dual hitch adapter so we can tow our Jeep and also carry two e-bikes on a Thule platform style bike carrier between coach and toad. My concern is, due to depth of Thule rack, that the rack will interfere with the turning radius when towing causing potential jack-knife situation. Would I be able to use an 18inch hitch extension safely coming out of the lower mount on the dual hitch adaptor to push the blue ox tow bar further out from the bike rack or would that be a definite no-no? Thanks in advance for your advice!

asked by: Rob G

Expert Reply:

Since the # MPG544 is considered to be an extension itself, I would not recommend using a second extension. That being said, while turning clearance issues are possible with dual hitch adapters like the MaxxTow # MPG544, these issues aren't very common in flat tow setups because of the extended length of the tow bar as compared to a traditional ball mount, so you shouldn't need one anyway.

You do, however, need to make sure that the bike rack you use is approved for RV use. Because the distance from the rear axle to the bumper is significantly longer on a motorhome, the additional leverage and vertical movement puts a lot more stress than a standard bike rack is able to take, especially when carrying heavy e-bikes. The The only motorhome approved platform bike rack from Thule that has a capacity high enough to accomodate e-bikes is the Thule DoubleTrack Pro XT # TH92BJ. So, if that's not the one you have , I recommend looking at a different rack.

A very solid choice, and one that won't break the bank, is the Swagman Current 2 Bike Platform Rack, # S64678. This bike rack is specifically designed for e-bikes, with a maximum bike capacity of 60 lbs per bike. The Current measures 26 inches from the center of the hitch pin hole to the furthest part of the rack, which will not pose any clearance issues with any standard tow bar, which are typically over 50 inches long.

I've attached a review video of the Swagman Current for you at the bottom of the page.