How To Carry E Bikes On A 2020 Ford Expedition While Towing A Tear Trailer

Question:

Hello, we would like to find a solution for our 2020 Ford Expedition and our new Rad step through E bikes. We are also looking to tow our Tab 400 tear trailer 500 lbs tongue weight . We cant put the bikes on the back of the trailer given its a tear design. It would be ideal if there was a rack that could swing out to allow accept to the hatch. Thanks for your help

asked by: Marty C

Expert Reply:

My best option would be to get a front hitch receiver and mount your bike rack in front of your 2020 Ford Expedition. I recommend the Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2", part # C31083. This is a 2" hitch receiver with a maximum tongue weight of 500lbs, which is plenty to carry your bikes. Your 2020 Ford Expedition sits more than high enough that you will not have to worry about visibility issues.

I would pair this rack with the Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount, part # TH903202. This rack is designed specifically to work with ebikes. It comes with a ramp to help you load your ebikes. The rack has an anti-rattle hitch pin that eliminates movement between the bike rack and the hitch receiver. It can be locked to your vehicle and you can lock the bikes to the rack. The bike is secured in three spots, the two wheels and the frame. The frame clamps are padded and are adjustable to fit many types of frames. The racks design will allow you to carry bikes with fenders without any issues.

Carrying bikes at the rear of your vehicle would create two problems. The first problem is the reduction of the maximum tongue weight. At the moment your maximum tongue weight is 500lbs. The only way we could put a bike rack behind your vehicle where you can still tow your trailer is to introduce a dual hitch receiver, which halves your maximum tongue weight. This also eliminates any chance of using a swing away platform bike rack, because they also use an extension. That would reduce your maximum tongue weight by another 50%, which brings you down to 125lbs. The second problem would be the extra height introduced to the platform bike rack, in the instance you install one without a swing away feature, is getting the bikes up to the rack itself. You have to get a longer ramp and it could be difficult to load your bike.

I have included product description links and a video review link below.

expert reply by: Mark Smith