Recommended Adjustable Trailer Hitch Receiver For A 2022 Forest River R-Pod RP-202

Question:

2022 Forest River R-Pod model RP202. I need a hitch to support an RV approved e-bike rack Hyperax 2023 VOLT RV 50 lbs and two e-bikes 62 lbs @. Forest River says not to mount hitch to 4” bumper. The spacing on the frame I beams is about 62” wide. The I beams are about 6” high and the top and bottom flange of the I beam is 2”. The lip on either side of the I beam top and bottom is 3/4” My question is pdoes the 3/4” I beam lip provide enough space for the fasteners. Do I need to drill 4 new holes in the hitch end plates to secure it to both the inside lip and the outside lip. Will the provided fasteners work on a 3/4” I beam lip or do I need to use smaller bolts? The Curt 13704 hitch looks ideal with its 5,000 lb /500 lb capacity. Does the 13703 hitch work better due to the narrow 2” I beam flange width? Thanks

asked by: James W

Helpful Expert Reply:

The bumpers mounted on the back of trailers typically have a very small capacity and are more for smaller accessories like a spare tire mount or grill so you're correct that you'll need to install an adjustable trailer hitch in order to haul your e-bikes.

The Adjustable Width Trailer Hitch Receiver for RVs # C13704 is going to mount on the bottom of your I-beams so you can easily line the brackets up so that the holes match up with your 3/4" lip, which will be enough to drill through and secure the hitch to. You'll drill four holes in the frame (two on each side for the brackets) and four holes into the crosstube (two on each side to secure the brackets to the crosstube).

The included hardware will be all that you'll need but it will be very tight trying to get both bolts in through the bracket into the crosstube to secure them together since both bolts face each other. I recommend sticking the bolt in just enough to start the nut and then doing the other bolt and then fully tightening both down. I've attached a picture of this below.

Personally, I would stick with the C13704 since you have the correct frame width and can get a higher capacity out it versus the # 13703.

expert reply by: Kevin C