Ways to Carry a Bike Rack While Towing a Trailer

Published 09/09/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Adjustable Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 9" Rise to 10-1/4" Drop - 5,000 lbs

(61)

$83.62

Curt Solid Ball Mount for 2" Hitches - 3" Rise, 4" Drop - 10" Long - 12K

(66)

$72.64

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

(158)

$259.04

Malone 2" Dual Purpose Hitch Receiver

(204)

$134.95

Question:

I have a 2019 Honda Ridgeline. We are purchasing a Taxa tiger Moth camper. The Hondas hitch height is 17.5. The Tiger Moth tongue is +/-20inch high. In addition to getting a 3inch rise on the ball mount, I would like to be able to create a dual receiver to add a bike rack. It looks like the riser bar could be used as a vertical 2inch receiver for a vertical-to-horizontal adapter. What do you think? Are there other options to accomplish my goal.

asked by: Don R

Helpful Expert Reply:

We do have a couple options available to accomplish what you need to do, but the Convert-A-Ball Adjustable-Height Ball Mount - 2" Hitch - 9" Rise to 10-1/4" Drop # TK5007 cannot be used as a vertical receiver.

With that being said, one way to carry a bike rack while towing a trailer will be to add a hitch to the front of your 2019 Ridgeline. The Draw-Tite # 65073 will give you a standard 2 inch receiver and allow you to attach a rack to. However, with bikes on the front of a vehicle it can limit your field of vision a bit, so may not be the best option.

The next option will be to use a dual receiver, like the Malone 2" Dual Purpose Hitch Receiver # MPG544. This will allow you to use a ball mount with a 3 inch rise on the bottom receiver, but I highly suggest one with a long shank, like the Curt # C45313, to make sure everything has some space. A bike rack can then be installed in the top receiver, but using an adapter like this will reduce your hitch capacity by 50-percent, so this is something to be aware of.

If you have the room for it, the Stromberg Carlson Bike Bunk Trailer-Mounted Bike Rack Carrier for A-Frame Trailers # CC-275 may be your best option. This will add a receiver hitch up above everything allowing for lots of room, but is only rated to hold up to 100 pounds