Bike Rack Recommendation for Two Electric Bikes

Question:

I want to use a CURT dual hitch receiver to mount a bike carrier so the car takes the weight, not the trailer BTW, these are ebikes, and still be able to miss the propane tank. The trailer ball hitch is the longest I could get so I could open the hatch while hooked up. Any suggestions on which bike rack?

asked by: John L

Expert Reply:

The problem with using a dual hitch extender/receiver like # D-192 is that using the externder/receiver moves the tongue load further away from the rear of the vehicle. This increases the amount of leverage placed upon the trailer hitch and it's attachment points to the vehicle. Because of this, using an extender like the # D-192 will lower the towing and tongue weight capacity of the hitch by 50%.

Your trailer hitch will have its towing and tongue weight capacity listed on an ID sticker. You'll want to ensure that the trailer tongue weight, the weight of whatever bike rack you use and the weight of the bikes carried on the rack isn't greater than half the tongue weight capacity listed on your hitch.

For a bike rack, I really like the Küat NV 2.0, part # BA22B which would work great for you if your electric bikes weigh 60 lbs or less (If they weigh a bit more, check the bike's weight with the battery pack removed). The rack has tons of great features, it can tilt away from the rear of the vehicle for easier access to the cargo area of the vehicle. Its aluminum construction makes for a pretty easy to handle rack, and the bike rack includes a hitch lock and a cable lock to help deter theft. I've linked to a product demonstration video featuring this bike rack.

Another possibility would be to carry the bikes on the front of your vehicle. We offer front mounted receivers for many full-sized trucks and SUV's. If you'd like me to check on the availability of a front mount receiver, please reply with the year, make and model of your vehicle.