How to Tow Jet Ski Trailer While Carrying Four Bikes on 2012 Honda Pilot

Question

Question:

Trailer and Bike carrier questions. I have a 2012 Honda Pilot with built in 2inch hitch. Also I have a Yacht Club double jet ski trailer....with cargo bin bolted in front of the jet skis. Going on a camping trip in a little over a week... and havent found my solution transporting 4 mountain bikes plus the jet skiis. An obvious solution might be to go up.... but theres already 4 Kayaks on the roof :- I have a 5 1/2inch on my ball mount to get my jet ski leveled correctly. Towing weight and tongue weight should not be an issue even if hitch extensions or double receiver is used. Im looking for suggestions. My best thought is maybe try the MT70070 Dual hitch. And.... the SR26248 Softride Element Parallelogram Tilting 4 Bike Rack..... with modification so the bike rack slides into the receiver from the rear... so the vertical post is right up against the rear of the vehicle. I think it would work technically..... although I can not validate all the measurements. So risky purchase. Any other thoughts or solutions anyone can think of? It was just suggested to me to find a solution to put the bikes on the back of the jet ski trailer. Thats interesting.... anything come to mind that could make that happen?? Crazy stuff..... thanks in advance for any feedback. Brian Walkowski

asked by: Brian W

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Expert Reply:

Your best bet would probably be a dual receiver like the # MPG544. Keep in mind that using the dual receiver will lower the tongue weight capacity of your hitch by 50 percent. This means that the tongue weight of the trailer, plus the weight of the bikes and rack could not exceed half the tongue weight figure mentioned on the sticker placed on your hitch.

I'd recommend going with a bike rack that offers an angled shank with more ground clearance like the Swagman XP part # S64960. The angled shank would raise the bikes higher up over the trailer tongue.

I cannot recommend modifying any of these components, as doing so could have an unintended effect on the weight capacity.

I do not have a solution that would allow the bikes to mount to the rear of the jet ski trailer

expert reply by: Mike L

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Answer 1

The Curt Ball Mount part #D210 would work well for you. It is a ball mount that has a hitch opening above it that you could use for a bike rack. I attached a review video for you to check out for more info as well. The #RM-077-2 that you referenced…

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Answer 2

Your best bet would be a dual receiver like the Curt Ball Mount #D210 you were looking at. The tongue weight capacity of the reciever is rated up to 750 lbs. Keep in mind that the bikes and bike rack will add to the tongue weight on the ball mount.…

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Answer 3

The Dual Hitch Receivers such as part #RM-077-2 cannot be used for towing a trailer. These receivers are meant for use with a towbar carrying a rolling load and an accessory such as a bike rack or cargo carrier. We offer a Curt Ball Mount with 2…

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Answer 4

To me it makes the most sense to put a Bike Rack #HLY64FR on the flat towed vehicle rather than above the tow bars. Especially on heavy e-bikes as they are difficult to lift that high onto the rack, but also as it only makes sense to have the rack…

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Answer 5

Hey Paul, we have a Blue Ox base plate kit that fits your 2024 Nissan Versa with the part #BX1856. In addition to the base plates, you will also need a compatible tow bar, safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking to flat tow your vehicle.…

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Answer 6

Personally I wouldn't go with Timbren's for your needs. They're essentially rubber bump stops that prevent your suspension from flexing when weights placed on the rear of your Canyon. The major issue with them is comfortability when you…

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Answer 7

The Tow Defender #RM-4700 you found is really our best option to protect the front of your 2024 Chevrolet Trax. This screen helps to deflect any road debris back down to the ground to keep it traveling under your Trax. This particular cover is…

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Answer 8

The weight capacity of the Malone Dual Hitch Extender, part #MPG544, is 4000 lbs and 400 lbs for tongue weight. Using this extender reduces the towing weight capacity of the hitch on your vehicle by 50 percent. If the hitch that is installed on your…

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Answer 9

Hello Steve. I do have a good solution for you, but I cannot recommend using the Malone Adapter #MPG544. Since it is rated for towing only 4,000 lbs, your 8,000 lb towed vehicle would be double the max towing capacity. You are right about there being…

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Answer 10

Yes, a trailer that is nose up can cause big problems. A level trailer is ideal and worth working toward for safety. The good news is that you can get the trailer almost exactly level with switching ball mounts. This is where an adjustable ball mount…

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