Carrying Bikes While Towing Pop-Up Camper with 2009 Toyota RAV4

Question:

I have a 2inch trailer hitch. I also pull a pop-up camper. I would like to carry my bike on the trailer hitch while towing the camper. I saw the saw the HR135. Would this work? clear the spare tire? Thanks

asked by: Ed H

Expert Reply:

You could indeed use the # C18013 Curt clamp-on bike rack, but you would need to use a long ball mount, like part # BM20. Using the longer ball mount would allow the bike rack to clear the spare tire.

Typically, you will need 5 to 6 inches of clearance from the hitch pin hole in the receiver hitch to clear the spare tire. I recommend you measure this to confirm.

Since the foot of the bike rack takes up 1-1/2 of the available 11 inches of room on the shank of the ball mount, it should clear the spare tire with plenty of room to spare.

You will need to ensure that the 25 lb weight of the rack, the weight of the bikes placed upon it and the tongue weight of the trailer do not exceed the tongue weight capacity of the hitch on your RAV4. The tongue weight capacity should be listed on a sticker placed on the hitch.

To carry women's bikes or bikes with sharply angled top tubes or step-through frames, using a frame adapter like part # 64005 is recommended. The adapter spans the distance between the seat post and the handlebar gooseneck and provides a level attachment point to the bike rack, so the bike has greater ground clearance and is not carried at an angle.