Available Bike Racks for Use When Towing a Camper Trailer

Updated 06/29/2016 | Published 06/28/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Stromberg Carlson Bike Bunk Trailer-Mounted Bike Rack Carrier for A-Frame Trailers - 2"-100 lbs

(158)

$257.58

Stromberg Carlson 2 Bike Carrier for RVs - Ladder Mount - Aluminum

(123)

$94.30

Swagman XC2 Bike Rack for 2 bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount

(1983)

$170.26

Question:

Im looking at trunk mount bike racks for my 2014 Ford Escape Titanium. Every one I see listed says Excluding Titanium. Im wondering why. Is it because of the foot activated hatch opener? If so, I dont have that feature on my Titanium, because I have a factory supplied trailer hitch. Im trying to tow a camper and use a bike rack. I have limited clearance between the hitch and the pop-up crank for the tongue wheel. I thought a trunk mount might be my best bet. So once again, any firm answer on why Titanium is excluded? Thanks.

asked by: Tim L

Expert Reply:

The reason trunk-mount racks are not recommended for your 2014 Ford Escape Titanium is that their weight when loaded could damage the car's rear trim panels. The lift-gate sensors are not the concern.

Since you are towing a camper there will be better options than a trunk-mount rack for transporting your bikes. We offer racks that install on the back of a trailer, on the top of a pop-up camper and also other items that allow use of a hitch-mount type rack on the front of your trailer. The linked article will help guide you to the best solution for your specific camper type and bikes.

One option is a towing rack like the Swagman Original 4 Towing rack # S64675. Please see the linked video. This rack let's you attach a 3/4-inch shank hitch ball for towing up to its 3500-lb limit.

Another option is to use an RV-rated hitch-type rack like the # S64650 in the trailer-mounted Stromberg Carlson Bike Bunk # CC-275. This bolts on to your trailer tongue and provides a receiver to accept the shank of a bike rack. Please refer to the linked video.

We also offer ladder-mount racks like # LA-102.

The other option is to install roof-mount bike carriers on the Escape. This requires a roof rack to be in place on the car. If you wish to consider this option please let me know the type of roof you have and I'll be happy to help you explore that option.