Recommended Bike Rack for a Front Mounted Hitch

Question:

I have a 2018 RAM 3500 that I wish to mount my mountain bikes full suspension using a tray-style rack such as Thule pro X off the front hitch due to the fact I have a truck camper and tow a boat. However, I am concerned about how high the tray-style racks place the bikes i.e. some seem higher placing the bike in my sight line while driving. Can you assist on best lowest to the ground tray-style bike rack? While a small segment of campers, this may be useful data to add to the description of product or a category unto itself. Thank you for your time.

asked by: Jason

Expert Reply:

The Thule T2 Pro X Bike Rack item # TH83GC doesn't have the strength to be rated for a front mount hitch. The folding point isn't strong enough plus it raises the bike rack up quite a bit. This is a great feature that almost all bike racks have but it puts the rack and bike into your sight line on a front hitch. Additionally, not all bike racks are rated for being used on a front hitch which is why this data isn't out there.

I recommend the Hollywood Racks RV Rider Bike Rack item # HLY64FR. This one of the few bike racks that is rated for a front mounted hitch. It has a 80 lbs per bike weight capacity, adjustable cradles for odd frame size, adjustable wheel hoops for fat tires.

Additionally, I reached out to my contact at Hollywood Racks and just heard back. He said that the vertical support post of the Hollywood Racks RV Rider Bike Rack item # HLY64FR is 30" tall. It also has a 7" rise from the shank to the base where the bike wheels will sit. I recommend taking some measurements of your Ram's front end receiver to see if this will affect your sight line.

Please feel free to email me back with any additional questions. I have linked a review video below so you can see this bike rack being used and installed.

expert reply by: Jerred H