Recommended Bike Rack To Carry Kid and Adult Bikes With 2020 Ram 2500 W/ 2-1/2" Receiver

Question:

Hi. I have a 2020 Ram 2500 with RAMBOX and it has 2.5inch receiver. Im looking to buy a bike rack like Yakima Hangover 6 for our mountain bikes kids and adults, all with front suspension forks. I believe my truck has 2.5inch receiver. Can you tell me how to work that and what adapters I need? Thanks.

asked by: Nigel A

Expert Reply:

I would be happy to help you get a bike rack installed on your 2020 Ram 2500 with RAMBOX, and you are correct that it should have a 2-1/2" receiver. You can confirm this by measuring the inside opening of the hitch.

The Yakima HangOver 6 Bike Rack for Mountain Bikes - 2" Hitches - Tilting # Y02485 can be used by adding the Brophy Hitch Reducer and Extender - 2-1/2" to 2" Trailer Hitch - 7" Long # HR26. This will reduce the 2-1/2" receiver you have down to 2" which will allow you to to use the rack. Keep in mind that using this reducer will reduce the capacities of the hitch by 1/3rd, but since you have a 2-1/2" receiver it will have a high enough rating that you should have zero issues.

With that said the # Y02485 will have a hard time working with kids and adult bikes at the same time, the height setting needed for the kids bikes will be different than the adult bikes causing the rear tires on some of the bikes to not be at the correct height to be held by the lower cradles.

Instead I recommend going with the Swagman XP - Folding 5 Bike Rack for 2" Trailer Hitches # S64970 which holds up to 5 bikes totaling 100lbs in weight. This rack uses rotating cradles so that each bike can be installed and carried level.

I included videos of the products mentioned for you to take a look at.