Recommended Hitch Extender for a Bike Rack

Updated 09/03/2025 | Published 08/06/2022

Products Featured in This Question

RockyMounts BackStage Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount

(153)

$899.99

Hitch Extender For 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver 7"

(355)

$82.62

RockyMounts Hitch Extender LS w/ Hitch Pin and Lock - 2" Hitches - 8" Long

(142)

$109.99

Roadmaster Quiet Hitch for 2" Trailer Hitches

(1537)

$39.90

Question:

We need to extend the hitch receiver of about 4 inches, I found the folllowing item Code: RKY10011. As the tongue weight is about 1500 lbs, am I right to assume my new max tong weight is about 700 lbs half 1500 lbs and some safety We will be using the 1up 4 bike carrier with mtb 30 lbs per bike and the rack 70 lbs a total of about 200 lbs. It should perfectly fine Is my assessment correct and what are your recommendations Thx Note the r1t rivian hitch is recessed much further than any suv or truck I had, I cannot simply put my bike rack and add the bike , it would interfere with the back of the truck.

asked by: Olivier

Expert Reply:

Yes, your assessment is correct. The RockyMounts Hitch Extender LS w/ Hitch Pin and Lock item # RKY10011 will reduce your hitches capacity by 50%. You will still have more than enough capacity to carry your 1 Up 4 bike carrier. However, this extender is only recommended to be used with 3 bikes or less. If you are carrying 4 you will want to use the Brophy Hitch Extender item # HE06. It does have the same 50% reduction but it has no limit on the number of bikes you can carry.

You add the Quiet Hitch item # RM-061 to remove the excess play/rattle in both the receivers to cut down on noise.

expert reply by: Jerred H

Ryan

8/30/2025

Why does RockyMounts not recommend 4 bikes? I mean 3 heavy mountain e-bikes could be way heavier than 4 carbon road bikes. It doesn't make sense.

Jerred H.

9/3/2025

@Ryan The RockyMounts Hitch Extender LS w/ Hitch Pin and Lock item # RKY10011 won't work with 4-bike, bike racks because they're longer than 3 bike bike racks. This restriction has to do with distance from the hitch not how heavy the bikes are.