Fit of Swagman S80501 Around the Spare RV Bumper Bike Rack on 2001 17 Foot Casita Travel Trailer

Question:

Will the Swagman 2-bike bumper hitch work on a 2001 Casita 17’ travel trailer? I assume the bumper is steel but don’t know for sure. Any help greatly appreciated!

asked by: Teddy H

Expert Reply:

If the bumper on your 17 foot Casita travel trailer is 4 or 1-1/2 inches square continuously welded (not spot welded) steel, the Swagman # S80501 Around the Spare RV Bumper Bike Rack would be a good choice.

In order to determine if your rear bumper is steel, just check to see if a magnet will stick to it. If it will, it's steel. If not, it's aluminum. You wouldn't want to uses a bumper mounted bike rack on an aluminum bumper, as the weight of the rack and bikes could possibly crush or deform the bumper causing the rack to loosen. Which would be bad.

If the bumper is aluminum, I'd recommend a trailer tongue mounted bike rack such as part # LC731138 which is compatible with trailer tongues from 2 to 4 inches in width. The rack can carry 2 bikes weighing up to 40 lbs apiece.

expert reply by: Mike L