Best Way To Carry E-Bikes While Flat Towing a Vehicle

Updated 09/20/2021 | Published 09/19/2021

Question:

Hi, I have a Leisure Travel Van that is built on a Sprinter 3500 DRW chassis and I am towing a 21 Jeep Wrangler Sport 2 door. I am currently using the Thule EasyFold XT rack to tow my two e-bikes 50+ lb each on the rear Jeep hitch while flat towing, and I now see from your site that this rack - and most racks - are not approved for use on the back of a flat towed vehicle. I was surprised because I see other people using racks to carry their bikes on the back of a toad, but I want to be by the book. So, would I be better off using this dual adapter to keep my bikes between the motorhome and the toad than my current arrangement? Will the 6 inch rise be appropriate for this particular rack? I purchased my tow equipment from e-trailer - Blue Ox Alpha 2 tow bar and Blue Ox baseplate for the Wrangler, and I am still getting used to flat towing. It is quite close to level now. If I understand correctly, this will the tow bar by 2. I am concerned that I may exceed the 3inch rule.... Thoughts? Finally, the motorhome has a 400 lb tongue weight capacity. Assuming the bikes weigh 120lb combined +the weight of the rack + the weight of the tow bar, I assume we should still be OK. Other than the weight of the tow bar, does the tow vehicle contribute anything to the tongue weight? I assume not, but wanted to check. Thanks!

asked by: Harry S

Helpful Expert Reply:

The best option to carry bikes while flat-towing is with a hitch on the back of a towed vehicle. The reason for this is that the bikes will be out of the way you don't have to lift the bikes any higher. The downside of this option is you don't have many bike racks to choose from since most aren't rated for the back of a towed vehicle. The Yakima OnRamp Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes part # Y36FR is an option rated for flat towed vehicles and can hold e-bikes.

The other option is an adapter like the Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter part # RM-077-6 but this can pose many problems like rise/drop changes, reduced turning clearance, bike/tow bar interference, and possibly tongue weight capacity issues. The clearance, interference, rise/drop changes will be specific to your setup so you'll need to verify yourself. The adapter will change the connection height (-2"). The vehicle however will add no tongue weight.

expert reply by: Conner L