Recommendation for Raised Ball Mount to Allow Me to Tow Level Trailer and Still Carry my Bike Rack

Question:

I just put a Curt type III hitch on my 2011 Toyota Rav4 and because the bumper is so much lower than my previous truck I have to invert my tongue to make the trailer tow level. The inversion makes it so I cant use the top reciever for my bike rack. I could use an extender but worry about torque with the trailer getting so far from the hitch. Ideas?

asked by: Tom

Expert Reply:

Although I do not have any type of hitch extender or dual hitch receiver that I would recommend for your situation, I do have a couple other options that may work for you.

I would first start off by determining the exact amount of rise that is needed for your trailer to tow level. I have included an article which should help. Once you have this information, I would be happy to help you find the ball mount that will work best for you.

One option that I have would be to use a ball mount with a rise like the Curt Drawbar, # C45270, and then use the Stromberg Carlson Bike Bunk for A-Frame Trailers, # CC-275. This holder carries any 2 inch hitch mounted bike rack and has a carrying capacity of 100 pounds.

Another option would be to use a long ball mount with a rise like the Curt, # D-28, and then use the Swagman Original 4 Bike Towing Rack, # S64675, to carry your bikes. This rack has a carrying capacity of 35 pounds per bike.

expert reply by: Leah S