How to Carry 4 Bikes on a Rack While Towing a Boat Trailer

Question:

I saw a post that you had answering a question about towing a bot and carrying bikes. You had an option for the rhino 2 bike rack and hitch splitter. You had that rhino bar and I’m curious why that is needed? Also, I need to carry 4 bikes and I realize 4 bikes would be too long to also have a boat so 2 bikes is probably as much as I can go right? Worst case I could carry two on the rack you recommend and I could carry the other two in my boar. This isn’t desireable but it would work. If I am not towing I would also want to go to a 4 bike rack. What is the best one? I want durable and very easy to use.

asked by: Sheridan F

Expert Reply:

I believe you are referring to the answer that says to use the Curt Multipurpose Ball Mount with 2" Receiver for Bike Racks and Cargo Carriers, part # D210, along with a bike rack in the upper 2" receiver to be able to carry your bikes while towing.

This can be done, but there are some things to keep in mind. First, this ball mount has a 2" drop, so you will need to be sure this is acceptable for your trailer's coupler. Second, the total amount of tongue weight this ball mount can handle is 750 pounds. You will need to add the tongue weight of your trailer, the bike rack, and all bikes together to make sure this doesn't exceed 750 pounds.

However, if those conditions are acceptable then this is a good option for you. As for which bike rack to use, we do have a good 4-bike rack that I recommend. It's the Yakima RidgeBack, part # Y02458. It is 35 pounds and can handle 4 bikes up to 40 pounds each (with a maximum of 150 pounds together). It's a hanging-style rack and has the tilt-away feature.

As for the mention of the adapter bar in the other answer, that is because of the hanging-style racks that we are recommending. If the frame of your bike does not have the horizontal crossbar on top like you see on men's mountain bikes, for example, then they will not sit well on the rack. A traditional women's bike, as another example, has a slanting frame. To mount them on a rack like the RidgeBack, you need that adapter bar to mimic the horizontal bar. The Rhino-Rack Bike Frame Adapter Bar, part # RRRBCA021, mentioned in that answer is a good one to use.

I've linked to video reviews of each of these pieces for you to review.