Can I Attach The Clamp-On Curt Bike Rack # C18013 To This Dual Hitch # MPG544?

Updated 06/23/2021 | Published 06/21/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Clamp-On Bike Rack for 3 Bikes - 2" Ball Mounts

(78)

$143.64

24x60 etrailer Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches - Steel - Tilting - Folding - 500 lbs

(591)

$205.44

Malone 2" Dual Purpose Hitch Receiver

(200)

$103.95

Question:

I have Honda CRV 2011 with a 2 inch hitch receiver. I use Maxxhaul 70422 cargo platform. When the car is fully loaded, carrier scrapes the ground on speed bumps, so I added a hitch riser Maxxhaul 50248 Dual Hitch Extension attached is a picture with dimensions. I want to clamp on the bike rack to the BOTTOM tube on hitch extender and a cargo carrier to the top tube. Questions: 1. How close to the vehicle can I place the clamp so it does not touch the tailgate? Will it clamp on the narrower part of the hitch extender? Will it clear the top park of the hitch extender? 2. The cargo basket starts 6 in from the the end of hitch receiver. So, if I can clamp the bike rack on the narrower part I will have 5.5+2.5+6=14inch of space to hand the bikes before the basket. Correct? 3. Are the stabilizing straps necessary, or I can use the rack without them for 2 bikes, less than 80 lb total. If I am using the straps, how will they attach to the CRV tailgate?

asked by: Eugene

Expert Reply:

When you use a hitch extender, you will loose half your hitches capacity. If you really need to have both, you can use a dual hitch # MPG544 but you will not be able to load up the carrier # e98874and the bike rack to it's full capacity.

The Curt Bike Rack # C18013 is pretty compact so if you have a straight line up from the shank without hitting the vehicle you can put the rack wherever. I don't see there being an issue with hitting your vehicle.

Using the bottom hitch pin hole on this dual hitch # MPG544 for your Carrier # e98874 you'll have 8 inches from that point until the carrier starts. You will need to place the curt bike rack on the thinner portion of the mount which is about 8 inches away from the hitch pin hole on the dual hitch. So, adding that 6 inches to the 8 inches before the carrier starts, you'll have about 14 inches yes.

This'll give enough room for at least one bike, maybe two before it extends over the cargo carrier. If you have a kids bike, save that for the end to keep as much space as possible for cargo.

The straps are necessary because of the leverage the weight will put on the small point to where the rack will attach. The straps will attach to the safety chain loops on your hitch reviver.