Carrying Two Bikes on Rear of 2012 Ford F150 While Towing Forest River R Pod 178  

Question:

Expert Reply:

For starters, be aware that the use of any hitch adapter will reduce the tongue weight capacity of your hitch by fifty percent. So, if the tongue weight capacity of your hitch is 600 lbs (consult sticker on hitch for actual tongue weight capacity), using a dual hitch adapter will lower that tongue weight capacity to 300 lbs. If the hitch or tongue weight of the Rpod is 257 lbs, then your bikes plus the rack you use would need to weigh less than 43 lbs to prevent overloading the hitch (which ain't likely.)

All this being said, I believe I might have a solution for you. Take a look at the Stromberg Carlson Bike Bunk, part # CC-275. The Bike Bunk would attach to the A-frame of the Rpod, providing an attachment point for your bike rack. The Bike Bunk has a 100 lb capacity, so you'll need to use a fairly light bike rack, like the Swagman Trailhead, part # S63360. The Trailhead weighs about 25 lbs, leaving plenty of capacity remaining for your bikes. If you install the Bike Bunk as close to the front of the Rpod as possible, you should have plenty of clearance between the trailer and truck.

If you'll be transporting women's bikes or bikes with sharply-angled top tubes, you might also consider a frame adapter bar like part # 64005. The bar spans the distance between the handlebar gooseneck and the seat post, which provides a secondary attachment point for the bike rack. This allows the bike to be carried level, which maximizes ground clearance.

expert reply by: Mike L

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