Can a Bike Rack be Used on the Front of a 2007 Nissan Xterra While Towing a Trailer

Updated 04/27/2016 | Published 04/23/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"

(22)

$298.87

Curt Multipurpose Ball Mount with 2" Receiver for Bike Racks and Cargo Carriers - 7,500 lbs

(234)

$71.82

Question:

Id like to use the front hitch for a bike rack when pulling our camper. I need to know the horizontal clearance from the edge of the receiver to the front grill of a 2007 Xterra to make sure it will work. Do you have any estimates on this?

asked by: Darren

Expert Reply:

We do have a picture showing Curt front receiver # 31514 installed on a Nissan Xterra just not the measurement. As you can see in the picture the receiver is recessed pretty far beneath the front of the vehicle. Any bike rack you use will need to have a long shank such as the Swagman XP # S64940.

Another option is to use the Curt Multipurpose ball mount # D210 at the back to tow a trailer while carrying bikes so you would not have to buy and install a front mount hitch. The D210 has a 750 pound tongue weight capacity so the tongue weight of the trailer and the weight of the loaded bike rack cannot exceed 750 pounds. This will put the bikes closer to the trailer so turning radius could be affected.

expert reply by: Michael H