Can you Use a Hitch Extender with a Travel Trailer Hitch to Carry Electric Bikes

Question:

I did some searching and found the C13704. It expands to 66 and has a TW of 500#. Am I reading that correctly? I would like to use the C13704 along with an C45791 8" extender. If I understand correctly that reduces my TW by 50% leaving me with 250 TW. I am then wanting to put the Swagman S94FR E bike rack on this with two 55# bikes. Will all of this combination work behind my 21 foot Travel trailer?

asked by: Steven W

Expert Reply:

You can definitely mount the Curt Adjustable Width Trailer Hitch, part # C13704, on your travel trailer. I've linked to a video review of this hitch for you to look at.

As for attaching the Swagman E-Spec Bike Rack, part # S94FR, to the hitch with the Curt 8" Extender, part # C45791, that can be done, but it's not at all recommended.

A bike rack will have more play on a trailer than on a car. The extension only adds to that play, and there is a high possibility that you could lose your bikes.

Instead, I would urge you to look at the in-built distance of the E-Spec. It has a distance of 10" from the center of the hitch-pin hole to the closest part of the rack. If that is not enough, then you may want to either look into trying to mount the hitch closer to the bumper or transporting the bikes inside the trailer.

I do want to mention that if the reason you needed extra clearance was because of the bikes being too close (not the bumper), then the Let's Go Aero V-Lectric, part # LGA77FR, might be the best solution. Though it's distance from the center of the hitch-pin hole to the closest part of the rise is only 8", the shanks that hold the bikes can be extended much further. In the outmost setting, the closest bike will be 35" away from the center of the hitch-pin hole, which should give you plenty of clearance.