Can Hitch Mounted Bike Racks be Added to Hitch Mounted Cargo Carriers to Carry Bikes and Cargo Items

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Question:

Would I be able to attach a hitch mount bike rack, like the Yakima Doubledown Ace, to the back of this or any other cargo carrier? From the pictures, it looks like there is a receiver on the back end of the carrier, but wasnt sure if this was functional or if attaching a bike rack would work. In case its useful info, I have a 2012 Toyota Highlander. Thanks.

asked by: Troy

0

Expert Reply:

We do have some options that will allow you to carry cargo and bikes on your 2012 Toyota Highlander, however, bike racks should not be mounted to a hitch mounted cargo carrier. The opening that you see on this cargo carrier is simply a hollow tube, not a receiver.

Adding a bike rack to a hitch mounted cargo carrier would place too much weight too far back from the trailer hitch. This will create additional stress that the trailer hitch and your vehicle frame cannot support. It is similar to using a pipe extension on a wrench to gain additional leverage to brake a rusty bolt.

To carry bikes and cargo on your Highlander, you will want to mount either the cargo carrier or bikes on the roof. We offer both roof mounted bike racks as well as roof mounted cargo carriers like cargo baskets, boxes or bags. Keep in mind, roof mounted accessories require a roof rack with crossbars that run side to side on a vehicle.

Once you decide if you want to mount the bikes or cargo on the roof, you can use a bike rack or cargo carrier with your trailer hitch. If you are interested in pursuing either of these options, let me know if your vehicle is equipped with a roof rack or not and I would be happy to provide some recommendations.

expert reply by: John H

0

Joe

3/23/2024

John, you seem to say no to the bike rack add without doing the math on the combined weight of cargo and the bike rack and bikes. Is it not reasonable to say given the 500 lb payload of the cargo rack that it would be within safe limits to carry say 150 lbs in the cargo rack and a total of 175 lbs of bikes and bike rack? I was thinking of welding a 6 inch or 9 inch receiver to the main tube of the cargo rack to accommodate the bike rack and bikes. Again, limiting the total load to 325 lbs . Sure seems safe to me. Thanks for your response. Joe

John H.

4/12/2024

@Joe I appreciate your thoughts on this Joe. My primary reason for saying no to a bike rack on this cargo carrier is because there is no receiver, so there is no actual way to mount a bike rack and adding a way to mount a bike rack would void the warranty, but the weight will be an issue too. The problem isn't necessarily with the math of the weight ratings of the carrier, but the physics of the distance the weight would be from the hitch on the car. The weak point would be the hitch on the car, not necessarily the cargo carrier itself. The further away from the car you place your weight, the harder it is for the hitch to support the weight. For example, trailer hitch manufacturers say if you extend the ball mount out more than 12 inches from a trailer hitch, you reduce the tongue weight capacity of the hitch by 50%. I'm sure there is a bit of "CYA" in that number, but nonetheless, the leverage created by weight too far away from the hinge point (the hitch), the more torque it puts on the hitch.

Answer 1

The difference between the two parts you referenced is that the Replacement Front Wheel Assembly #Y90197 is the track for the front side of the rack and the Replacement Rear Wheel Assembly #Y90198 is for the rear track of the rack. If you are unsure…

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Answer 2

I do have a bike rack and cargo carrier combo for you but you cannot add a bike rack to the end of the Curt Cargo Carrier part #C18151 because that is not what the opening is deigned for. The Curt Cargo Carrier would not be able to withstand the…

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Answer 3

The Club XL Utility Lock, #WIUTL800, is constructed of chromoly steel with a tube diameter of 1 inches. The chromoly construction can withstand break-off attempts from freezing, hammering, sawing, and prying. The chromoly steel rods are solid. Any…

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Answer 4

The cargo bag I highly recommend for your Pro Series Cargo Carrier #63153 is the etrailer Cargo Bag #988501. It has 20 cubic feet of storage, is waterproof with PVC coated nylon, and has six tie-down straps that will secure it to your Pro Series…

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Answer 5

I do have a solution for you, but the 24x60 etrailer Cargo Carrier #e98874 is not designed to be used on the back of an RV. Generally speaking, folding carriers are not ideal because they do not stand up too well to the extra stress exerted by the…

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Answer 6

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 7

Hey John, yes the LED light kit part #98174LED that you referenced does fit the Reese hitch cargo carrier part #63153. This would give you the LED taillight kit you are looking for. What do you plan on carrying with the carrier?

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Answer 8

Hey Bryan, we don't have any license plate holders that were specifically designed for the 24x60 etrailer Enclosed Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches #e54VV but I am sure you could make the LP10SB work which is a universal style license plate…

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Answer 9

To carry your Honda EU3200i generator the only option is a hitch-mounted carrier from TorkLift: - 24x27 TorkLift Lock and Load Maximum Security Cargo Tray for 2" Hitches #TLA7752 The #TLA7752 has inside tray dimensions of 27-3/4" long x…

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Answer 10

Yes, it can Mark. To use the 50 Amp Portable Power Watchdog Surge Protector item #HU62VR on a 30 amp hookup you'll just need a 50 Amp Female to 30 Amp Male adapter like the item #A10-3050FHVP. What kind of motorhome or trailer do you have?

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Answer 11

Depending on your rack and carrier, they maybe able to be used at the same time, but more than likely, one will interfere with the other. Keep in mind the shape of your bike rack may interfere with loading cargo on your carrier and the carrier may be…

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Answer 12

You can use ratchet straps like the Erickson Easy Ratchet Tie-Downs #EM34410 to secure bikes to the etrailer Cargo Carrier #e98874. Another option is to get a cargo carrier with a bike rack, like the Stromberg Carlson 23x60 Cargo Carrier #CC-100 with…

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Can Hitch Mounted Bike Racks be Added to Hitch Mounted Cargo Carriers to Carry Bikes and Cargo Items

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