Why Can't I Use the Sport Rider SE # HLY84FR with a Flat-Towed Vehicle?

Question:

Why isnt the Sport Rider SE HLY84FR approved for use on a flat-towed SUV? If its approved for use on a motorhome or the same SUV when the SUV is being driven, why cant it be okay to use on the SUV when its being towed behind a motorhome? The forces on the rack when installed on the motorhome are much higher than when towing the SUV with the rack on it. The motorhome has much more than double the distance from the rear axle to the rack than the SUV. When driving the SUV with the rack on it the forces on the rack should be more than when the SUV is being towed with the rack on it. The motorhome accelerates slower than the SUV, the motorhome stops slower than the SUV, and the motorhome corners slower than the SUV. If it was not approved for use on a motorhome I would understand it not being approved for use on a toad.

asked by: Mark

Expert Reply:

We definitely have a rack that works with your flat-towed vehicle.

The reason why some racks like the Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE # HLY84FR are not approved to use on a flat-towed vehicle is not because it is simply installed on an SUV. The prohibition accounts for the total distance from the front of tow vehicle (most typically a motorhome) to the rear of the hitch on the SUV. This is what causes much more amounts of torque and force exerted on the rack. Manufacturers realize this and make sure their racks go through strenuous testing to make sure they are safe to use.

With that being said, we do have an amazing rack comparable to the Sport Rider SE that works perfectly with a flat-towed SUV. That is the Hollywood Racks RV Rider # HLY64FR. This rack is made for RVs and cars/trucks/SUVs/vans alike. Not only does it come with the same impressive 80-pound per-bike weight capacity, the independently-adjusting cradles attach virtually any bike frame style. With this aspect, you do not need to worry about purchasing an additional bike frame adapter bar. I went ahead and attached a video that shows the RV Rider on a 2021 Chevy Equinox.

If you need a hitch for your 2022 Chevy Equinox to work with the RV Rider, I suggest the etrailer Hitch - 2" # e59ZR. This hitch comes with a simple bolt-on installation and takes only about 40 minutes to complete. With the # e59ZR, you will not have any bumper clearance issues when using the # HLY64FR.