Recommendations for Carrying 4 Bikes While Towing a 1998 Coleman Natchez Pop-up Camper Trailer

Question:

Do you think the D210 will work for a 4 bike rack while pulling a pop up camper with my 2010 Silverado? Would I be better off going with a front mount hitch? Do they make a hitch that would go on the back of my 98 Coleman Natchez pop up?

asked by: Donald S

Expert Reply:

The Curt multipurpose ball mount, # D210, is strong enough to support 350 pounds of tongue weight at the receiver portion and a total of 750 pounds tongue weight when using the receiver and ball mount together. This means that if you had the receiver loaded to capacity, 350 pounds, you would have a remaining 400 pounds of tongue weight capacity on the ball mount portion.

This is enough capacity for your application. However, you have to consider the distance from the receiver that a 4 bike rack with 4 bikes loaded on it will have. You may not be able to make very tight turns without the bikes contacting the trailer.

To determine if there will be a fit issue, you can do a little measuring. On the ball mount, the center of the receiver hitch pin hole is 7-1/2 inches from the shank hitch pin hole. Measure from the center of your hitch pin hole on the vehicle out 7-1/2 inches. Then from there, you will need to measure the distance from the center of the hitch pin hole on the bike rack back to the very end of the last bike mounted on it. This will tell you the total extension of the bike rack.

Compare this measurement to the distance the trailer currently is when connected to a ball mount in the hitch. This will tell you if there will be a spacing issue without making turns. The only way to know for sure if you can make turns is to have everything loaded up and ready to tow and then see.

I would install a bike rack on the camper before putting one on the front of the truck. A bike rack with 4 bikes on it can restrict airflow and decrease driver visibility. If the roof of the camper is flat (no air conditioner) you can use the Mighty Rack, # S80550. I have included a link to the installation details for you.

The other option is to fit a hitch to the camper using Curt hitch # 13703. It fits frames from 22 to 72 inches wide and box, C-Channel, or I-beam frames. I have included a link to the installation instructions for you. With this hitch installed, you have to use a stabilization strap, # 18050, for the warranty requirements.

Only certain bike racks can be used at the back of a trailer. You can use the Tow Ready rack, # 63124. I have included some links on this bike rack as well.

expert reply by: Michael H